Do you need safe housing for your family, but are having a hard time affording it? You may be able to get aid from the federal government in the form of housing assistance. If you are in need of help with your rent, read through this guide on how to apply for a housing voucher.http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs/hcv/about/fact_sheet.cfm#4

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, has a voucher program in place to assist low income families (as well as the elderly and disabled) in affording safe housing.http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs/hcv/about/fact_sheet.cfm#4 Participants are able to choose their own place of residence (so long as it fulfills some basic requirements), and a housing subsidy is paid to the landlord so that the family only needs to pay the portion of rent that is not covered by the voucher.

These rental housing units are required to meet the PHA determined minimum standards of safety and health. Housing subsidies are then paid to the housing landlord directly by the PHA on the participating family's behalf. This family is then obliged to pay the difference between the total actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount of money subsidized by the voucher program.http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs/hcv/about/fact_sheet.cfm#4 There are special circumstances, if authorized by the PHA, whereby a family may use its voucher to purchase a modest home. Refer to the HUD website for further information.

Eligibility for the housing voucher program is determined by the family's total annual gross income and family size. Only U.S. citizens and certain non-citizens with eligible immigrant status are allowed subsidies.http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs/hcv/about/fact_sheet.cfm#4 According to the HUD website, in general, "the family's income may not exceed 50% of the median income for the county or metropolitan area in which the family chooses to live. By law, a PHA must provide 75 percent of its voucher to applicants whose incomes do not exceed 30 percent of the area median income."http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs/hcv/about/fact_sheet.cfm#4

In order to receive a housing voucher, certain requirements must be met. First of all, the income of the family must, in most cases, not exceed 50% of the median income in their county or metro area. In addition, housing must be found by the family, and a security deposit may need to be paid to the landlord. A lease of at least one year must be drawn up, although after the lease expires it is acceptable to go month-to-month. Tenants must abide by all regulations, pay rent on time, and keep their house or apartment in good condition. http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs/hcv/about/fact_sheet.cfm#3

To apply for a housing voucher, start by contacting your local Public Housing Agency (PHA). You can find the office nearest you on the www.hud.gov website. You may usually contact them by phone or email, and you may also inquire about housing help other than vouchers. Be prepared to show identification as well as proof of income, in addition to any other documentation that may be required. http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/pha/contacts/

Further assistance on finding your local PHA can be found on the HUD website: http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/pha/contacts/. You may also ask questions regarding application at the PIH Information and Resource Center (1-800-955-2232). According to the HDU website, "The PIH Information and Resource Center is staffed to answer questions/ inquiries from the public and PHAs regarding public housing and housing choice voucher programs and regulations."http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/pha/contacts/

Housing choice vouchers are distributed and managed by local public housing agencies, also known as PHAs. PHAs are supported by federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to administer the voucher program. If a family is successfully granted a housing voucher from the local PHA, that family then has the responsibility of finding a suitable housing unit, according to the family's choice, whereby the owner makes an agreement to rent under the PHA program. This housing unit may include the family's current residence.http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs/hcv/about/fact_sheet.cfm#

Because the demand for housing vouchers is high, there is a good chance that you will be put on a waiting list until help is available for you. Keep in mind that preference generally goes to those who are homeless or in an unsafe housing situation, those who have been involuntarily displaced, and those whose income is less than half of their rent.

Since waiting lists can sometimes be very long, some patience is required. There are often more applicants than can be served in the near future, so a significant amount of time may pass before you are able to receive your voucher, even after you have been deemed eligible. http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs/hcv/about/fact_sheet.cfm#3According to the HUD website, "a PHA may close its waiting list when it has more families on the list than can be assisted in the near future." http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs/hcv/about/fact_sheet.cfm#4

If the PHA determines that your family is eligible, the PHA will put your name on a waiting list, unless it is able to assist you immediately. Once your name is reached on the waiting list, the PHA will contact you and issue to you a housing voucher.http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs/hcv/about/fact_sheet.cfm#4