Other Resources


    More Information

    Where can I find general information on housing and homelessness?

    Contact:

  • National Alliance to End Homelessness, 202/638-1526, http://www.naeh.org/
  • National Coalition for the Homeless, 202/737-6444, http://nch.ari.net/
  • National Housing Institute, 973/678-9060, http://www.nhi.org/
  • National Housing Law Project, 202/463-9461
  • National Housing Trust, 202/833-893, http://www.nhtinc.org/
  • National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, 202/638-2535, http://www.nlchp.org/
  • National Low Income Housing Coalition, 202/662-1530, http://www.nlihc.org/

    • Where can I find information on housing programs for low-income people?

    For an overview of programs, see the National Low Income Housing Coalition's 1998 Advocate's Resource Book at http://www.nlihc.org/advocates .

    Other places to look include:

  • Department of Housing and Urban Development, 202/708-1422, or go to its web site, http://www.hud.gov/ , or call HUD's local offices.
  • Your state or city office of housing. It might be called the Department of Housing, or Community Affairs, or something like that.
  • Your local Public Housing Authority.
  • Rural Housing: The Housing Assistance Council, 202/842-8600, http://www.ruralhome.org/
  • Co-op housing: The National Association of Housing Cooperatives, 703/549-5201, http://www.coophousing.org/
  • Mobile homes or other manufactured housing: Contact your state housing agency and ask for the division that deals with manufactured housing. State housing agencies may also be called departments of Housing and Community Development or Community Affairs.
    Home Ownership

    I heard about a housing seminar on the radio, should I attend the seminar before trying to purchase a home?

    If the seminar is charging a fee, you can probably receive the same information without charge by contacting a HUD approved loan counseling office. Call HUD's toll free number: 800/569-4287, or see their website at http://www.hudhcc.org/


    How do I get into the Habitat program?

    Contact Habitat for Humanity, 912/924-6935, http://www.habitat.org/


    Where do I find information for first time home buyers?

    The Department of Housing and Urban Development, 1-800-569-4287. Ask for the booklet, "Buying Your Home - Settlement Costs and Helpful Information" or view the booklet at http://www.hud.gov/fha/sfh/res/sfhrestc.html . Also try Fannie Mae Homepath, at 800-732-6643, or on the web at http://www.homepath.com/


    I am 70 years old, I'm on a fixed income and can no longer afford my house, is there anything I can do?

    HUD maintains a list of approved housing counseling agencies. Call HUD's toll free number: 800/569-4287, or see their website at http://www.hudhcc.org/


    I bought a home through a low income housing program, now the house needs a new furnace that I can't afford, are there programs that can help me?

    Contact the Neighborhood Housing Services or NeighborWorks office in your area. NHS works with individual homeowners in order to maintain neighborhoods. Look in the phone book, or call 202/376-2400, or go http://www.nw.org/ for the phone number of your local office.

    Landlord/Tenant

    I have questions regarding landlord/tenant disputes and tenants' rights in general. Who can help? How do I go about putting my rent in escrow until my landlord makes repairs?

    Contact the National Housing Law Project, 202/463-9461. Or contact Legal Aid or Legal Services, or contact your local State Bar association and explain that you need help from a legal aid program. In addition, some law schools operate legal clinics for low and moderate income people.

    Housing Discrimination

    Who do I call if I believe I have been discriminated against in my search for housing?

    HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, 800-669-9777, or go to their online form and file a complaint.

    Public Housing

    I live in public housing and I read in the paper that the city will be tearing down my building, what do I do?

    If you live in public housing, call the Center for Community Change, 202/342-0567. They may assist you in forming a tenant organization to protect your interests, or on the web at http://www.communitychange.org/

    Lead Poisoning

    An examination at the doctor's office revealed that my child has lead poisoning, how do I get help?

    Call the local health department, where the lead program likely is. You may also call the National Safety Council, 1-800/424-5323, to receive information.

    Policy and Research

    What is the Area Median Income (AMI) and how do I find out what it is in my area?

    The Area Median Income (AMI), or Median Family Income (MFI), is an estimate of how much money people make in your area. If you were able to see a list of all the incomes in your area, the median income would be the number in the middle of that list. A person's income status ("low-income," "very low-income," etc.) is based on that number and is used to determine eligibility for housing assistance. To see the AMI in your area, go to http://www.huduser.org/datasets/fmr.html .

    You can also contact your local Public Housing Authority to get AMI in your area.


    What is Fair Market Rent (FMR) and how do I find out what it is in my area?

    Fair Market Rent, or FMR, is the number used to determine how much a landlord can charge for rent in a specific area. The number itself is established by HUD. To see the FMR in your area, go to http://www.huduser.org/data/asthse/fmr/fmr99/index.html .

    You can also contact your local Public Housing Authority to get FMR in your area.


    How do I find out about specific housing needs in my state?

    Data sources include:

  • National Low Income Housing Coalition publishes Out of Reach, an annual affordability gap study that breaks information down by state and metro area. 202/662-1530, http://www.nlihc.org/oor98/index.htm .
  • Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has published several housing affordability studies. 202/408-1080, http://www.cbpp.org/ .
  • Department of Housing and Urban Development has recently published a worst case needs report, Rental Housing Assistance -- The Crisis Continues. 202/708-0685, or http://www.hud.gov/worsfact/worscase.html
  • Other sources include state and local housing departments, legislative committees, and local non-profits. 

    How do find out how much housing money is allocated by my state and what it is being spent on?

    • Contact the Budget Office of your state, or the Budget or Appropriations Committees in the state legislature. The state housing department may also have a budget which it publishes, but every housing program may not necessarily be located in the housing department.

    Section 8

    How do I calculate my own Section 8 rent?

    Your share of rent and utilities should equal about 30% of your income, but there are several exceptions to this standard. HUD rules allow for certain deductions for things like foster care payments, adoption assistance payments and certain stipends.

    If you hold a Section 8 voucher instead of a Section 8 certificate, your share of rent and utilities may be higher than 30% because the voucher only pays up to the Fair Market Rent (FMR) and you must pay the difference if your unit exceeds the FMR.

    To figure out the exact amount of your share of rent, ask the housing authority for a copy of the income worksheet it uses to calculate your rent. The HUD regulation is at 24 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) Section 5.609 and provides the full legal details. The CFR can be found at many local libraries, or at http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/cfr-table-search.html.


    How can I get my Section 8 certificate back from my landlord so I can find new housing?

    You have your certificate, not your landlord. If you want to terminate your lease in order to move, you should read the sections of the lease that tell you how, when and under what circumstances you can end your lease. You will first have to give written notice to your landlord. If the lease is not clear on this subject, ask the housing authority.


    I received a letter from my landlord stating that my building will no longer have Section 8 assistance. Do I have to move?

    You cannot be forced to move, but you may not be able to afford to stay where you live because your landlord is probably converting the apartment to a market rate complex. If you receive such a notice, you should call your Section 8 administrator immediately (your local Public Housing Authority) to discuss your options. You will probably be offered a Section 8 voucher or certificate to use at another complex.


    What is a "sticky" voucher?

    This type of voucher is issued under special circumstances on properties that are owned by private developers (not housing authorities). When the owner of such a property takes the option to "pre-pay" a HUD-insured loan, any agreements with HUD to provide affordable housing are canceled. Pre-payment usually means a rent increase and a tenant may then be eligible for a Section 8 certificate or voucher. This "sticky" voucher may also be referred to as an "enhanced" voucher, a "pre-payment" voucher or a "preservation" voucher. If you qualify for such a voucher, you can use it to stay where you are or move to another property.


    How do I qualify for a "sticky" voucher?

    If you live in the type of property described above, you qualify for a sticky voucher if you make 80% or lower of the Area Median Income (AMI), you are currently un-assisted by Section 8 and you face a rent increase within one year of pre-payment that would cause you to pay more than 30% of your income towards rent.


    I have a Section 8 certificate, but I can't afford the application fees that landlords require when applying for housing. What can I do?

    Your Section 8 voucher does NOT cover application fees.

    Other Questions

    What is the correct number for immigration?

    1-800-755-0777


    The Department of Social Services took my children and I have to find "suitable" housing in order to get them back. What do I do?

    The Family Unification Program (FUP) is geared specifically to people who have lost their children because of inadequate housing. FUP provides rental assistance in the form of Section 8 vouchers to families who meet the regular Section 8 criteria and whose children are at risk of placement in out-of-home care, or are delayed in returning from care, because families lack adequate housing.

    While there is not a large number of these vouchers available, individuals/families who feel like they qualify for this program should ask their local public child welfare agency and/or public housing agency about the program.

    Questions about this program can also be answered by the Housing and Homelessness Division of the Child Welfare League of America, the primary organization working with HUD to facilitate this program. Call 202/638-2952.