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Housing is usually the most expensive bill that felons need to pay for. With the costs of rent skyrocketing, it can often seem difficult for felons to find affordable housing options. Felons who need help with their housing options to do have programs they can turn to. The grant programs that help felons with their housing needs are largely funded through the government organization called Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
HUD provides funding to cities around the country. The funds are given to local housing authority offices, which are then dispersed locally to help people in the community. One of the programs HUD offers that will help felons who have a low income is called Section 8.
The Section 8 Assistance Program for Felons
Section 8 is one of the more popular housing assistant programs offered through HUD. The program will help felons through one of two ways. The first is that HUD owns numerous housing complexes throughout the country. Those public housing complexes allow felons who have a low income to live there for a very low monthly rent. The second option they offer through Section 8 is a voucher program.
The Section 8 voucher program will allow you to live in whatever housing unit you want, rather than being limited to the ones owned by the government. You can choose where you want to live and as long as it meets HUD standards, they will give you a voucher to help pay the monthly rent. A voucher is a grant, which is something you will not ever have to pay back. It’s essentially a gift to help you through difficult financial times and ensure you will have affordable housing.
Section 8 Assistance Eligibility
In order to be approved for Section 8 assistance, felons have to meet certain criteria. For starters, the program has income guidelines that have to be met. The maximum income that you are allowed to earn varies according to where you live in the country. However, the guideline is that the income for your family cannot be more than 50% of the median income for the area where you live. In other words, Section 8 assistance for felons requires that you have a low income to be approved.
Felons who would like to receive Section 8 housing assistance will also need to show that they are a legal citizen. The program does accept some non-citizens, but it is on a limited basis and the felon would need to be in the country legally. Additionally, felons need to have limited assets in order to be approved. The asset guidelines vary by geographic location.
Additional Section 8 Information
The amount of housing assistance that felons can receive will depend on where they live in the country, and what their household income is. The amount you are allowed to earn and have in assets is determined by your local housing authority, but they do have a maximum amount allowed, which is 30% of the family’s monthly adjusted income. You also are not bound to staying in that one housing unit. HUD goes give you the ability to move to a new housing unit and still receive your Section 8 assistance.
Felons who receive Section 8 assistance for their housing needs will not receive the grant themselves. The funds will be given directly to the landlord on your behalf. HUD requires that the landlord has an obligation to provide a safe and decent place for felons to live and to do so for a reasonable monthly rent. The rental unit that you choose must meet HUD standards in terms of safety and health regulations.
How to Apply for the Section 8 Assistance Program for Felons
There are issues that may impact felons individually that lead to questions and concerns regarding the Section 8 programs. Felons who have questions and want to learn more about the Section 8 program can do so by contacting HUD. They will take the time to answer your questions and point you in the right direction to have all of your housing needs met. To get more information and contact HUD, click here.
To learn more about Section 8 in your community you have to go through your local Public Housing Agency (PHA). Your local PHA can give you information on what the local income and asset guidelines are in order to qualify for the program. They can also provide you with information about what types of public housing options are available and how to apply for the voucher program. Contact your local PHA to get information specific to your location and to apply for Section 8 assistance. Whether you would like public housing that is owned by HUD or to apply for the voucher program, they can guide you. To find your local PHA, click here.
