Do you struggle to meet basic living expenses? You are not alone in this. Many people have the same problem, especially when it comes to housing costs. In fact, those who can afford it may also face financial difficulties. Fortunately, the federal government is aware of this problem. As a result, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers a variety of housing assistance programs for those who need them.

Available HUD Housing Assistance Options 

Many people might not be aware that HUD offers housing assistance options for a range of housing needs. Among these options are:

• FHA Loans
• HUD Homes for Sale
• Housing Choice Voucher Program
• Good Neighbor Next Door (GNND) Program
• Public Housing

Let’s take a look at each one of them separately:

FHA Loans

An agency under HUD is the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). The loans that qualifying lenders issue to borrowers are insured by this agency. The agency lowers the risk that lenders must face by insuring these loans. It adds an additional layer of loss prevention so lenders can increase the range of borrowers they can lend to. In the event that a borrower fails to make payments on their loan, the protection pays a claim for any remaining principal balance. Some of the most significant advantages of this loan are that borrowers may be eligible with:

• Lower credit score requirements than some traditional home loans
• Lower down payment requirements than some traditional home loans

The following are some examples of common FHA loans:

• Section 245(a) Loans: These loans are ideal for people who expect their income to rise. The initial monthly payment on this loan is low and then gradually increases over time.
• 203(k) Improvement Loans: Homes are offered in different conditions. Some properties require minor repairs, and this loan takes care of them! Additional money from this loan can be used to pay for the cost of making improvements to the property, such as renovations, repairs, and so on.
• Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs): These loans are also referred to as reverse mortgages. Because it is a reverse mortgage, only seniors over the age of 62 are eligible for this type of loan. The advantage of these loans is that homeowners can access their home equity to obtain cash while maintaining their title!
• Energy-Efficient Mortgages: Not all homes are energy efficient. This type of loan is available to those who want to improve the energy efficiency of their home. This loan includes additional funds to cover the cost of upgrading the home’s energy efficiency.

HUD Homes for Sale

When looking for a new home, there are numerous properties to take into account. A specific kind of property is a foreclosed home. Keep in mind that not all foreclosed homes are the same. Some foreclosures are only available through HUD. This is because the home that went into foreclosure was financed with an FHA loan. You can browse these listings on the HUD Home Store. Also, if there is a house that grabs your attention, you must speak with a broker who is registered with the government.

Housing Choice Voucher Program

The Housing Choice Voucher program is one of the most well-known housing programs on this list. Another name for it is Section 8. Qualified recipients of this program can receive housing vouchers. These vouchers are used to cover the cost of private-sector housing. Even though vouchers are intended to help with rental costs, some areas allow them to be used to purchase a home. The recipients must also search the private market for the house they want to move into. More importantly, the properties must accept vouchers as a form of payment and meet certain requirements, such as passing a house inspection.

Although it is a federal program, local public housing authorities (PHAs) are in charge of running it. The management and administration of the program are the responsibility of these PHAs. Additionally, PHAs are the places where applicants can ask any questions and submit their applications. Considering that the purpose of this program is to help individuals in need, local PHAs will look into the following eligibility requirements:

• Their criminal and eviction history
• Their income status
• Their family status
• Their citizenship status

Good Neighbor Next Door (GNND) Program

This program is only for those who work in a qualifying occupation. This includes people who are:

• Firefighters
• Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs)
• Teachers (Preschool through 12th grade)
• Law Enforcement Officers

This program is available to individuals who work in one of these eligible occupations. Additionally, recipients of the GNND program can receive a 50% discount on the listing price of a home. This program, however, comes with additional rules. These rules state that recipients must live on the property for at least 36 months as their primary residence. Furthermore, the property must be located in revitalization zones. Also, this program only offers a select few properties.

Public Housing

Public housing is another well-known type of housing assistance. This housing assistance program’s goal is to provide recipients with low-cost housing. Generally, people imagine apartments when they think of public housing. Meanwhile, there are various types of public housing. Public housing, for instance, could take the form of a single-family home. This program, like Section 8, is managed locally by a PHA.

Because eligibility requirements differ by area, the specific eligibility requirements will vary as well. However, the local PHA will take these factors into account when deciding whether or not they meet the requirements:

• Their citizenship status
• Their references
• Their income status
• Their family status

Furthermore, you may come across references and wonder why they are needed. These references provide useful information for the HA when determining whether or not an applicant will make a suitable tenant. The reason this is important is that someone could meet all of the other eligibility requirements and still be denied if their references aren’t good. To get started, you must contact your local HA.

To Sum Up

There are several choices to think about when it comes to housing assistance. At the state, local, and federal levels, there are opportunities for assistance. However, the main purpose of this article is to highlight a few federal assistance programs that can be helpful to those in need. These options for assistance are made possible by HUD and consist of the following:

• FHA Loans
• HUD Homes for Sale
• Housing Choice Voucher Program
• Good Neighbor Next Door (GNND) Program
• Public Housing

Whatever housing assistance program you choose, just keep in mind that there is more help available than you may think. All you have to do is learn more about your options!