Grants for Single Parents

If you find yourself in need of housing, there are many budget apartments for single moms available through the HUD public housing program. This program is offered by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development and includes many types of housing units, from single-family houses to apartments. Local housing agencies receive Federal aid, and they manage these housing developments, so that they can be offered to low income families at rents they can afford. There are currently about 1.2 million families living in HUD public housing.

Your eligibility is determined mainly according to your annual gross income, as well as according to any special circumstances such as a single parent family with a low income. The income limits are set by the HUD and they consider a low income to be 80% of the median income for the area and a very low income to be 50%. Just the fact that their calculated according to the average income by area, income limits vary, and you may find you qualify with one housing agency but not another. Therefore it is very important for you to research these limits so that you can find a housing agency that can help you, even if it’s not in the exact area you want to live. The benefits of these budget apartments for single moms far outweigh the inconveniences of moving to another area, unless of course this affects your ability to find employment or childcare. Even so, you should contact your local housing agency to discuss your options, because they do want to help you. That’s why they’re there.

The HUD public housing program is ideal for single mothers with low incomes, because the rent is calculated according to a formula that uses your income as the base. The total tenant payment (TTP), as the rent is referred to, is the highest of the following:

1. 30% of your monthly adjusted income, which represents your annual income, minus the deductions allowed by regulations;
2. 10% of your monthly income;
3. welfare rent; or.
4. A minimum rent of $25 or higher, up to a maximum of $50, set by a housing agency.

When applying, you will have to supply information regarding your expected income for the next 12 months, contact information for your employers, banks and other information that the housing agency will need to be able to verify your income and deductions, contact information for your landlord to deem whether you are a suitable tenant or not, and any other documentation that may be requested of you. You may also find that a representative of the housing agency may visit you and your family to see how you care for your current home.

You must remember, though, that there is a long waiting list for public housing, so to increase your chances of being offered an apartment, you should apply to more than one housing agency. Another advantage to this program of budget apartments for single moms and other types of low-income families is that you may live there as long as you comply with the lease and until your income is sufficient to obtain private housing.