Affordable Rent, Stability Among Benefits of Subsidized Housing?

Answer 1

Subsidized housing is a category of housing, including apartments, single family homes and condominiums, that is supported by the government financially. This enables students, the elderly, individuals with disabilities as well as people with low incomes to enjoy affordable housing in areas where they might not otherwise be able to afford to live.

Modest rent that is typically lower than market values on comparable units in a neighborhood are among the best benefits of subsidized housing. Another benefit is that subsidized housing is often better maintained than other housing because the landlord receives timely government payments and is subject to surprise reviews, both of which are incentives for the landlord to keep the property well maintained and to do repairs in a timely fashion.

Prospective tenants of subsidized housing are less likely to face discrimation based on race, age, color or creed than when applying at privately owned housing because of the government’s Fair Housing Act which is taken more seriously by landlords of subsidized housing who don’t want to risk terminating their relationship with their government subsidizer.

Another benefit to being a resident of subsidized housing is less likelihood of having dramatic or unfair rent increases occur. Again as with the issue of keeping the property maintained and doing repairs on a timely basis, landlords know that any major rent increases or other unfair businesses practices meant to discourage tenants from staying or trying to evict tenants will jeopardize their relationship with their government partner.

Individuals who have applied for subsidized housing and have been accepted have a better chance of being given priority for any vacancy in a subsidized building versus a privately owned building. A landlord will look more favorably upon an applicant who has been accepted into the subsidy program because he is assured of receiving a large chunk of the rent payment directly from the government every month and on time.

The availability of subsidized housing, sometimes called Section 8 housing, will vary from city to city. Applicants can find out if they are eligible to rent subsidized housing by contacting the local branch of the government’s office of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Income and special needs all play a part in determining whether or not an individual or a family is eligible for subsidized housing. Once an application has been approved, the prospective renter can ask for a list of subsidized housing in the area and start making calls to landlords to determine availability.