Housing Assistance Organizations

Being a mom is one of the most rewarding, yet challenging, roles in the world. But what happens when the financial stability you need to provide a safe and secure home starts to crumble? You’re not alone. Many mothers find themselves facing housing insecurity, struggling to keep a roof over their children’s heads. It can feel overwhelming, but please know that help is available. Below is an extensive list of many housing assistance organizations that can help.

• Section 8 Housing: The Housing Choice Voucher Program, often called Section 8 is a federal program administered by local public housing agencies. It provides rental assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly and people with disabilities. How this program works, once qualified, is you find your own home and the voucher covers part of the rent.
• Public Housing: Public housing is government-owned and managed housing available to low-income families and individuals. Rent is based on income, making it more affordable. Eligibility requirements and application processes vary by location so contacting your local PHA is important.
• USDA Direct Home Loans: This program is offered through the USDA and provides direct loans to very low and low-income applicants for buying, building, repairing, or renovating housing in eligible rural areas. Most times there’s no down payment and interest rates are very low.
• USDA Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program: This program helps approved lenders in providing mortgages to low and moderate-income households in eligible rural areas The USDA guarantees the loan, reducing the lender’s risk and making homeownership more accessible.
• HUD’s FHA Loan Program: The FHA, which is a part of HUD, insures mortgages, making them more accessible to borrowers with limited credit history or down payment savings. FHA loans usually require lower down payments and credit scores than conventional mortgages.
• HUD’s Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME): Provides grants to state and local governments to create affordable housing for low-income families. These funds can be used for a variety of things, including building, buying, or rehabilitating affordable housing for rent or homeownership.
• HUD’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program: CDBG provides annual grants to states and local governments to address a wide range of community development needs. While not solely focused on housing, a significant portion of CDBG funds is often used for housing rehabilitation, down payment assistance, and other housing-related activities.
• Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA): HOPWA provides housing assistance and supportive services to low-income people living with HIV/AIDS and their families. This includes rental assistance, short-term payments, and housing information services.
• HUD-VASH (Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing): This program combines Housing Choice Vouchers with supportive services from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to help homeless veterans and their families find and maintain permanent housing.
• Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program: This program provides tax credits to developers who build or rehabilitate affordable rental housing. The tax credits incentivize developers to create and maintain affordable housing units, increasing the supply of such housing.
• Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act (NAHASDA): NAHASDA provides federal assistance to Native American tribes and tribally designated housing entities to develop and operate affordable housing for Native American families.
• Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP): SHOP provides grants to nonprofit organizations to help low-income families build their own homes through sweat equity. Families work together to construct their homes, reducing costs and fostering community.
• Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program: This program provides capital advances and operating subsidies to nonprofit organizations to develop and operate affordable housing for elderly (62 years or older) individuals with very low incomes.
• Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities Program: Similar to Section 202, this program provides capital advances and operating subsidies to nonprofit organizations to develop and operate affordable housing for adults with disabilities.
• Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program: ESG provides funding to states and local governments to address homelessness. While not directly for long-term housing, it can provide assistance with emergency shelter, street outreach, and rapid re-housing, helping individuals transition to more stable housing situations.
• Continuum of Care (CoC) Program: This program promotes community-wide commitment to ending homelessness. It provides funding for a range of housing and supportive services, including permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, and rapid re-housing.
• Down Payment Assistance Programs (DAPs): Many states, counties, and cities offer DAPs to help first-time homebuyers with down payments and closing costs. These programs can provide grants, low-interest loans, or deferred payment loans, making homeownership more accessible. (Check with your local housing authority or state housing finance agency.)
• Mortgage Credit Certificates (MCCs): MCCs allow first-time homebuyers to claim a portion of their mortgage interest as a tax credit, reducing their federal income tax liability and freeing up funds for housing expenses. (Check with your local housing authority or state housing finance agency.)
• State Housing Finance Agencies (HFAs): Each state has a Housing Finance Agency that offers various programs to help residents afford housing. These programs may include low-interest mortgage loans, down payment assistance, and rental assistance programs tailored to the specific needs of the state.
• HUD’s FHA Loan Programs: The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) insures mortgage loans, making it easier for first-time homebuyers and those with lower credit scores to qualify for a mortgage. FHA loans typically require lower down payments than conventional loans.
• 2-1-1 Helpline: While not a direct financial assistance program, dialing 2-1-1 connects you to a local community resource specialist who can provide information about housing assistance programs, shelters, and other resources available in your area. This is a valuable starting point for navigating the complications of housing assistance.

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