As one ages, financial woes can become one of the primary concerns for the individual. With limited finances available, everyday expenses can take a hit. Expenditures like housing, utilities, and groceries can become a growing concern. But there are several programs launched by the government that can help seniors in need. One such program is the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program that provides housing vouchers to help one save on rental expenses.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) introduced this housing program to benefit the residents of the country. The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program offers eligible citizens vouchers that help them afford a safe and private house. Applicants can seek assistance from their local housing department as each state has a Public Housing Authority (PHA) that handles the program and the vouchers.
Who is eligible for housing vouchers?
There are a few factors the HUD evaluates applicants on. These are criteria that deem an applicant eligible for the housing scheme. These include an individual’s family size, total gross annual income, and their citizenship. Applicants who are currently not U.S. citizens, but have an eligible immigration status, can also apply for housing vouchers. Moreover, low-income households, people with disabilities, and seniors can avail of Section 8 housing vouchers.
How to apply for housing vouchers?
Individuals need to contact their local housing authority if they are looking to apply for the HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher Program. Alternatively, if they want to complete the process online, they can simply visit the HUD website. The process would require individuals to select the state they live in or intend to live in when they are applying for housing vouchers. Applicants can submit their application online. Alternatively, they can fill out a form and mail it to their local housing office or they can visit the PHA’s office and fill out the application form.
What are the documents needed?
Housing voucher applications need the individual to share some important information with the department. The details required will also be about the other people living in the household and not just the applicant. These can include proof of current residence, landlord preferences, proof of income from every source, name, date of birth, Social Security number, legal immigration status, or U.S. citizenship. The HUD will also need the applicants and the members of their household to undergo a background check. This is to ensure that the department is staying true to its promise of offering safe housing for everyone.
How long is the approval process?
The process is not bound to a specific timeline. Sometimes, people may be able to finish their approval process in weeks, or at times, it may take months. To make sure the process does not encounter any delays, individuals should fill up as much information in the form as possible. Once the application has been processed, it can be approved for voucher and assistance, approved and added to the waitlist, or denied. Long waiting periods are common with housing vouchers for seniors due to the high number of applicants and low funding in each area. Further, authorities in the housing department can decide to help some applicants on the waitlist before they can fast-track the applications of others. This could be due to the applicant’s current living conditions.
Other programs
Aside from the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, seniors also have access to a handful of other schemes introduced by the government. All of these schemes are drawn to assist and ease the senior’s financial burdens when it comes to housing.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
The LIHEAP program was introduced by the government with senior applicants who have difficulty affording energy bills. Eligible individuals can apply to this benefits program to achieve higher or better energy cost affordability. The program enables eligible applicants to pay for heating and cooling systems in their homes. The program has two different options, where it either helps individuals with energy bills by paying once for the energy consumption or they have an assistance option called the Energy Conservation Investment Program (ECIP). This option is aimed at individuals who are facing difficulty due to their inability to pay for energy. Eligibility of applicants for LIHEAP is determined based on their income, residency, citizenship, and household size.
Public Housing
This program provides rental units at subsidized rates to eligible seniors, low-income households, or people with disabilities. In most cases, the rents for rental units are determined based on the tenant’s income, which makes it one of the most affordable options for applicants. Further, the public rental units are commonly owned by local PHAs. The senior applicant’s citizenship, income, and family size are considered when reviewing their application. The senior applicant needs to be a minimum of 62 years old to apply for the program. If their application is approved, they get to enjoy safe and subsidized housing. After approval, seniors are likely to be placed on the waiting list till a suitable housing unit becomes available.