How to Qualify for Low Income Housing Waiting Lists

With so many people being out of work, applying for low-income housing waiting lists can be a daunting task and an even more daunting wait. Affordable housing is everyone's dream and often times, many people can't have it without some kind of assistance. The key to success is to be aggressive and diligent.

1. Go to your local HUD office and fill out an application. When you go into the office, don't be shy about your financial situation and your needs when it comes to an apartment. Request that you be placed on any calling lists available so that you will be notified of apartments and other low-income housing opportunities that fit your needs. Often times, apartments are required to keep a few units available for low-income renting, however, they do not come available often.


2. Apply for all waiting lists that are in your area. Often times, apartment complexes will have their own waiting lists that you can be added to for low-income units. When you look at apartments, include yourself on any waiting lists of these apartment complexes that you like.


3. Contact the HUD office frequently to see whether you have been moved up on the list and what your position is. Once affordable low-income housing has opened up for you, you only have a week to come up with the funds to pay the required deposit to move in. If you do not come up with the money in that time, you can be dropped from the list entirely or placed at the bottom. The waiting list can sometimes be years long, especially during times of recession when more people are in search of low-income housing opportunities.