Rental Subsidies

• HUD provides rental subsidies to families to make their rent more affordable. The Public Housing and Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher programs allows renters to pay 30 percent of their income toward rent. HUD pays the remaining portion of the rent. Families that live in public housing will only receive a subsidy for as long as they remain in the housing unit. Renters with Section 8 vouchers are allowed to take their rental subsidy anywhere they choose to live as long as they maintain the eligibility requirements. To qualify for a rental subsidy the total household income cannot typically exceed 80 percent of the area median income. Some areas have a more restrictive income limit requirement.
  
  

Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing

• HUD's Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program provides personal housing grants to homeless families and those at-risk of becoming homeless. The family can qualify to receive up to18 months of rental and utility payments. The grant can go toward delinquent rent as well. Those who have lost their home to foreclosure or eviction can get a grant to pay for a security deposit, rent and moving expenses. To qualify for help, the household's income cannot exceed 50 percent of the area median income.
  
  

Homeownership Opportunities

• HUD's Section 8 Homeownership Voucher program helps Section 8 voucher holders convert their rental assistance payment into a mortgage subsidy. The home buyer must be able to qualify for a loan with a lender. The home buyer is responsible for paying 30 percent of her income toward the mortgage. HUD pays the remaining portion. HUD's Good Neighbor Next Door Program helps law enforcement officers, firefighters, teachers and emergency medical technician purchase a home with a 50 percent discount. The homebuyer must agree to live in the home as his primary place of residence for 36 months to get the 50 percent discount.
  
  

Housing Grants for Veterans

• The Department of Veteran Affairs provides temporary housing grants to homeless veteran families and those at-risk of becoming homeless. The Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program provides money for the family to pay rent, a security deposit and moving expenses. The family's income cannot exceed 50 percent of the area median income to qualify for a personal housing grant. The VA also provides a Specially Adapted Housing Grant to veterans with a service-related disability. The veteran can qualify to receive up to $63,780 to purchase a home that will be specially adapted or make adaptations on a home that he currently owns. Acceptable modifications include installing a wheel chair access ramp to the entrance of a home or handrails in a bathroom.