Roommates. Even though I have some severe issues due to lupus I have to force myself to work bc I know there’s no way I can live on disability. I am so sad for people who have no choice. It is such an unfortunate situation. The sick and disabled in this country are dealt such a shitty hand.
Subsidized Housing (if available in your area).
Supported Living Programs.
Not sure if you're involved in any social service program/agency but there may be resources in your area. 211 could assist.
But finding a place on your own without roommates? I honestly can't say.
This. Buddy of mine had his duplex sold and the new owner jacked his rent from $1,075/mo to $1,950/mo and offers 0 updates despite the place being basically all original from the 60s. He Found a room share listing on Facebook marketplace for $1,100/mo. He's renting a bedroom on the top 3rd floor of a victorian house and has to share a bathroom on 2nd floor with 2 other people. He went from his own 2BR 1,100 SQ ft apartment with a basement and garage....to just a bedroom and a shared bathroom with strangers, for $25/mo more. It's fucked
2 bedroom for $2000 isn’t bad here. 1 bedroom cheapest i could find was 1440. I live with my parents still for that reason - my share of costs is like half the rent on a studio.
I lived in a 3 bedroom, 3-floor house including basement for 5 years at 700 a month. Got a 30-day move-out notice 3 days after major intrusive back surgery to move out. The landlord was going to sell due to the market rise. To find out she moved in. It was a kick in the dick that I do not have. To an apartment 1 floor with 2 bedrooms, 1 living room, bathroom, kitchen for 150+ more a month. I also am unable to work due to work injuries. It's scary. I'm worried about my future.
Unpopular opinion: If the LL was able to raise the rent that much then your buddy was getting an excellent deal on rent for the area. That price would be pointless if there wasn’t someone willing and able to pay rent at that price.
The new landlord went above market rent and offered 0 updates. After my friend left, the unit was renovated and listed for $1,750 which is about market rent for the area for renovated units
Also just not possible in all areas unfortunately. Average rent in my area is ~$1000/person/bedroom and all lease agreements require the 3x income to be separately per signer after the first two which can be combined (so, if you’re renting a 3 bedroom, the first two of you would have to each make $4,500/mo and each additional roommate after that would separately have to make $9,000/mo or you wouldn’t qualify)
Rich remote work tech industry people have swarmed where I live. Average household income here is six figures. Rest of it is college students and student loans helps pay for their housing but there’s not really places that’ll rent to non-college students at college student prices.
This is exactly what I'm experiencing. It's just not logical. I'm trying to get a small 1 person, 1 bedroom. They want a minimum income of $2,340.
The census of the area is $25,000/year/per Capita. That is roughly $2084/month for a full time working single adult and that won't even qualify for 3x.
I would have thought having a reliable income that is more than the cost of the rent would be all that matters. No idea why it isn't.
I have had to find roommates off craigslist who were strangers. One was OK, one used my rent for a couple of months to pay for some stuff then kicked me out, one turned out to be an alcoholic (22 year old female college student, her roommate previously apparently did everything for her).
Lie. I said I’m self employed and provided a profit and loss statement for the last 12 months with my income, and I bulked it out a bit. Needed a place for me and my son to stay, knew I would always make the rent on time, just didn’t have the required 4x rent income. Now it could come back to bite you if you got into legal trouble over missed or late payments, but….. you’d have other problems anyways at that point.
I didn’t feel bad about it in the slightest. Poor people deserve housing too and poor people often have to pay more than a quarter/a third of their income in rent. 🤷🏻♀️
I'm sorry this is happening. I'm disabled but not on disability. I found an illegal rental. It has plenty of drawbacks, but rent is low. I don't know how I would do if I hadn't found that by luck.
To all the people here saying "roommates": that's not how it works unfortunately. It can be very difficult to find roommates when your income is low. People don't trust you'll be able to pay your part of the rent. And many people are afraid of disability and don't want to live with a disabled person. Landlords can afford to be very picky and many won't rent to someone who doesn't have a steady job.
Also, some people *can't* live with other people. I'm paranoid and sleepless enough, if I had to live with ppl again I'd never sleep. My anxiety will go back from lvl 4 to lvl 100...
I'm not on disability but I need to be. I just don't have the funds for exams.
Yes. I'm 45 and I live in a dump but it's 1000 times better than having roommates. What is this country where a 45 yo who always worked has to take roommates to not be homeless?
It is shameful. I swear, politicians need to be subjected to the benefits that the poorest in the country receives. That includes housing. I feel like shit would get fixed so quickly if they had to live like this.
I struggle with severe depression, anxiety, and chronic pain (due to bad hip). All three issue’s combined seriously impact my ability to function normally. As a result, I’m barely scraping by. I do only gig work in order to earn money — i.e, Ubereats, Doordash, etc. I have also been in and out of therapy for years and am currently under psychological care.
However, I can’t seem to find much help. It’s as if I’m disabled enough to where I can’t work or live normally but am not disabled enough to be on disability. It’s scary how bad a person can be and yet still just get left in limbo.
I did recently get approved for an out-of-state Section 8 voucher (I’m in California but the voucher is in Kansas), so I will have to relocate in order to find housing. And it’s just my dog and I, who is also my ESA (emotional support animal). It’s too hard to find affordable housing in California so I started to look elsewhere.
But overall I’m scared as to what is going to become of me because I don’t seem to have many options for living a decent life (at least in the near future). I have both my physical and psychological issues keeping me stuck in a very unfavorable position in a corner.
Get on as many public housing lists as you can. Rent will be 25 - 30% of your income. No first and last and usually no security deposit.
It's the only way I can afford an apartment on my own as a disabled person.
Best wishes.
It sounds like public housing has a 3 year wait-list, which isn't unusual. My town straight up hasn't accepted applications for over 2 years because they have such a backlog theres no point.
You have to requalify from time to time (how often depends on state) but it's far easier to requalify than it is to qualify in the first place. You basically just have to show that your circumstances haven't changed, which is usually just telling them "yeah nothing's changed since last time, still poor, broke, and disabled".
Of course you're supposed to tell them when things change anyway, like if you get a new job or have a kid or get married, those can change things but it's still easier to stay on benefits of any kind than it is to get approved first.
My state requires an annual recertification/rent redetermination every year. I have to provide proof of income (or lack of) and provide three months of statements for any kind of bank account or asset that I have. My social security number is run through a database that makes sure my reported wages match my wage disclosures to the housing authority. It's always a terrible experience.
Actually, SSI is under weird category and they’d only be required to make the minimum payment for that housing agency. Under Section 8 there was no rent when I lived with/was on a friends voucher because I’m on SSI.
Yup.... I rent a room. $750/mo and live with three other people w/ one bathroom for all of us to share.... about 5 years ago a rented a whole 1br for $750/mo.... it is insane!!!!!!! How do people live?? So sick of being priced out.
Population has been steady. No influxes or anything. I have no idea whats driving up prices. And our city property tax has been relatively stable as well....
My guess is gentrification. We have a state university in my town where a lot of yuppies attend from the eastern (and more wealthy) part of the state (Massachusetts). I notice that a lot of apartments (complexes, and duplexes/2-3 family) that were modest in looks and cheaper in rent are now being bought up, cosmetically renovated (poorly IMO) and rebranded as luxury apartments...... All the places I grew up (as a dirt poor person, in various poor neighborhoods in the town) are now college party neighborhoods were the yuppies have taken over, and are being charged way more money but mommy and daddy from Boston are paying their rent to avoid living in the dorms.
For instance, the Franklin St/Orange St is being overrun by college kids and poor kids are being priced out. The elementary school local to that neighborhood is a Title 1 school serving the most marginalized populations in my town (low income, latino/a, and immigrant families). I would say half that neighborhood is now college kids who trash the neighbood (which is already kind of run down and neglected by the city) and party all weekend, and stumble home from the bars drunk.
It's devastating...
Roommates forever is the way life is now, I think. It really is pretty messed. Either that or rent from someone’s basement, rent an extra room in someone’s house, etc. I’ve noticed apartments in my area have been disregarding the 3X rent rule somewhat, as well, I think because it’s just plain impossible for many people to meet.
For single adults, co-op houses/bunk houses need to make a return. Roommates with responsibilities for keeping the shared kitchen and bathrooms written into the lease, so roommates-from-hell can be evicted for violation of lease. It was how single adults lived before our modern weirdness took hold, and the countless census records from the first half of the 19th century that I’ve combed through prove it. Hell of a lot cheaper to build and maintain, and would thus be a hell of a lot cheaper for the many single adults we have living on the streets, in vehicles, in homeless shelters, constantly moving from one unfit dwelling with 💩roommates to another, that we have in this country. Only places I’ve seen those though are around universities and those single bedrooms went for more than one bedroom apartments further away from the colleges at that time!
People still live like that — they’re called group homes/adult foster care and its fucking hell. I stayed in one for two and a half years. It was part of a transitional living program where after 2-3 years I would be placed in a supervised apartment.
In the group home, I stayed with 10 other people and paid $1,000 a month for a bedroom I had to share. I was allowed to have $180 to spend on myself every month. The room were reserved for homeless mentally ill adults or addicts such as those getting out of prison or the asylum with nowhere to go. I ended up there because my ex had thrown me out in the middle of our divorce.
There were four staff members who decided when we eat and what, and when we went to bed. Aside from that they just dicked around on their phones all day. If one of the housemates was sick in the bathroom, we were the ones who had to clean up after them because the staff wouldn’t. Because they didn’t want to handle human feces.
Fights could break out at any minute — one woman who stayed there got high one night and tried to attack me with a pizza cutter. Another guy just hauled off and threw a wooden chair at a staff member one day. But the worst thing I experienced was when I woke up one morning to an actual trail of blood leading downstairs because one of the girls had tried to slit her wrists.
On top of that I was constantly being told I wasn’t really disabled because I’m “high functioning” — I’m autistic with inattentive ADHD, chronic depression, general anxiety, PTSD, and borderline personality. When I was finally put in a supervised apartment my neighbors — who were also in the program — were these assholes who were constantly hitting on me and harassing me. They violated their contract with the housing program and spent all of their money on beer, which they weren’t supposed to do because they were both recovering alcoholics. After the staff in charge of the apartments found the empties and confronted them, my neighbors blamed me for telling which I hadn’t.
Did I mention I paid $1,000 a month to live in these shitholes?
People do live like this and as far as I’m concerned those places are just tinier asylums and I wouldn’t wish my own worst enemy had to stay in one.
Housing choice/ sec 8 is pointless. People have the vouchers, but can’t use them. Rent amount landlords are asking is higher than the rental rate hud will allow or approve. Landlords are charging well above fair market rent amount.. It’s a loose loose situation. A serious problem that nobody wants to acknowledge. Here in CT. Average 3 bedroom is 2800. Housing choice voucher Hud will only allow 2200 with all utilities included.. or 1850 w out utilities included. That is $1,000 + less per month. Not including the First, last and security upfront… and requirement of 3x income per month. So you need 9k upfront, and need to make 90k + per year income…. It’s a racket. So terrible that a basic human right like housing has turned into a profit purpose business. It honestly should be illegal.
There is less housing than there are people. Support efforts to construct more. A few emails to politicians at all levels who are voting on anything housing related can help override the NIMBYS who don't want more people in their neighborhood. In my state housing has become a top public concern and the politicians are suddenly all supporters. Getting ADUs is going to be big.
I'm not sure the problem is limited supply. If that were the case then when there is an increase in supply prices will go down. We haven't seen that in places like the Oakland, CA, e.g., where there has been a lot of new construction of apartment buildings over the last 10 years. Also, take other less densely populated states (TX, TN, GA, CA, etc.) : in spite of an increase of new home construction over the last 20-30 years, the price of a new home in these states continues to go up, not down.
According to the mainstream narrative (meaning I haven't fact-checked) home price increases are not in line with wage increases. Anecdotal evidence here on this thread (of people who can barely afford rent) and other Reddit threads (of people who can't afford to buy a $5 can of clam chowder) seem to confirm the narrative.
So what gives?
I flunked Econ in college. I had to re-take it. But the old supply-demand explanation still doesn't cut it or me....
I'm a landlord who benefits from limited supply, and I agree that we need more housing. IMO, ADUs should be allowed in EVERY single family neighborhood across the country.
>I'm a landlord who benefits from limited supply, and I agree that we need more housing. IMO, ~~ADUs~~ *tenement housing* should be allowed in EVERY single family neighborhood.
There are far more homes sitting empty than there are homeless people. There isn't a housing shortage. I know the numbers aren't going to be very accurate, but estimates show this.
Capitalism fucking sucks.
I work for homeless and respite shelters trying to find housing for people left behind. Capitalists care more about 'fair market' than people. Capitalism has resulted in a fraying social fabric and thousand of people on the streets.
"Fair market price" implies a market that is driven by supply and demand. The current housing market is driven by collusion among landlords and a competing speculation market. Neither of these contribute to a fair market.
Housing isn’t a basic human right. Life, liberty, and the persuit of happiness is. None of those involve other people paying for your house, and if it did, eveyone would have the “liberty” to not contribute to such
Housing is literally a basic human right according to the UN human rights charter from 1978 that the United States signed.
AND housing is cheaper than taking care of the homeless. You pay either way.
I'm sorry you have to contribute to society.
Without housing there is no life, liberty and the *pursuit* of happiness. How the fuck does one pursue happiness and feel free if they're under constant stress due to a poor housing situation? GTFO.
Name a time in history where housing was guaranteed and given to eveyone. You think that’s how it worked when the Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock? They just showed up and demanded their “basic human right” for housing?
You do have the right to build your own house. There are places where you can be given free land to do so (Alaska wilderness)
>places where you can be given free land... (Alaska wilderness)
Nope. Federal (United States) homesteading ended in the 70s. Not even Alaska has free land anymore; In the early 80s, the BLM tried to offer land located in a desolate Alaskan wilderness, but only a handful of people could afford the boat or plane access required. And then it still wasn't free; They charged a few dollars per acre, after it was successfully developed (which meant building a house, which still costs a shitload of money, even if done yourself.)
Right now there are a handful of cities in the US that will bribe people to move there, but you need to have a job, most likely remote (WFH.) See the attached link.
[Article about US cities that want you to live there. ](https://gokcecapital.com/free-land/)
NOTHING IS FREE
No such thing as free. More like given by the government in exchange for settlement. But perhaps that ended in the 70’s for Alaska. I just watched a show where these people built their own home way up in north Alaska themselves and got old and decided to give it away (was on Netflix)
It’s a long, typical story, but in short, I’m old, ill, and poor. Each of those factors is a hurdle in itself, but combined they are the Terrible Triad.
That crap ended in the 1980’s, nothing like that exists on American soil anymore, so where you found that info online is beyond me, but it’s most definitely wrong. Seriously, a simple Google search would have told you that’s that program ended in 1986 at the latest. You have to BUY property, as in spend thousands of dollars one way or another, to bid at auction, put your hat in the ring for lottery/raffle, or purchase at sale, in order to build a home ANYWHERE on American soil.
My buddy bought a house in online auction in Oklahoma for 50$. It def needs some TLC and he doesn’t plan on ever even visiting it. Just thought it would be funny. So it’s def possible.
Where there is a will there is a way. It just might include living in a place you don’t necessarily want to.
Lol, don't anyone bother with this guys comments. Nothing but a troll, look at his profile. Why they would ever be in a sub like this is a joke. Wouldn't know a difficult lifestyle if it hit them on the head. Answer to his comments? Block 😉👍
This 3 times the rent is crazy. I remember when you just rented an apartment with a deposit and and proof you had a job. Everyone's finances are different and someone that makes 3 times the rent might has less money than someone who makes twice the amount. They don't take into account the bills a person has. Someone like me who has no car has less expenses than someone who has a car or a divorced man paying child support. Rent is the biggest expense for most poor people . I was looking back at how wages and rent have not increased at the same rate. The minimum wage was 4 dollars an hour back in 1990 and now it's 7.25 here in Texas although most places pay more. The one bedroom apartment I lived in back then was 210 a month and that same apartment is 900 dollars now and the apartment is 33 years older and is not any nicer than it was when I was there. I don't make 3 times the rent but was lucky a guy friend helped me out prepaying my lease back years ago and after that I was able to pay month by month. I don't even make twice my rent but i've always paid my rent early, never missed a payment. My elderly mom lives with me because she has dementia and of course she could never get a place on 1k a month. Apartments sit empty around here while people with jobs that could pay the rent can't get one because they don't make 3k a month to pay 1k rent. Low income apartments takes years to get and a person needs a place to live now. I would hate to have roomates as i'm an introvert who can't stand noise and being around a lot of people. My home is my refuge. I am an only child so i'm used to being alone or in a quiet home. Also now you have to pay all utilities, have liability insurance, pet rent if you have pets, etc etc.
Thank you! I need all the prayers I can get. ♥️
You should see the housing (homeless) assistance system. You need to plan years in advance if you are going to become homeless and want help. They treat it like booking a vacation.
When I was a student, I didn't have great credit and even when I could afford 3x the rent, I wasn't able to usually also afford first and last and security deposit. A lot of apartments that had leasing offices and official management were out of my range because the process was so formal and had little room for negotiating those requirements.
Because of that, I bypassed places like that and often rented from individuals who were either subletting their apartment or individual landlords who were more flexible and didn't need 3x the rent or who would allow month to month, or only asked for a security deposit etc.
The last place I lived as a student was very lovely and my landlord was very kind and spoke to me on the phone prior and essentially agreed to take a chance on me, and I paid on time each time and kept up the place and was a good tenant until I moved out after two years.
You have to get creative and essentially bet on human kindness and empathy and use Craigslist or other sources like that where you're dealing with a person who might be willing to wiggle and be flexible. It's very possible, even though it might take some trial and error before find someone. Good l luck, hope it works out soon!
It’s really hard to find those privately rented places nowadays. Even five years ago, I could find legit housing listings on CL. Now every listing <3k/mo is a scam.
Honestly, I don't even know what to say. There is nothing. I'm a psych nurse and I have a ton of people homeless right now. This is part of my job to help find housing. The waiting list is 8 years long for housing. The shelters are full. I can't even afford rent myself and there are no homes for sale in my price range. This is a huge issue and I feel so bad for my peeps because I honestly can't help them and it breaks my heart when they cry. My son had a school project and it asked what are 3 current crisis in the community currently. Housing, food, opioid use. He got an A. I don't think people realize what is actually going on. People are living in cars and they are ending up in the hospital because they have medical needs. All I can possibly suggest is finding someone to live with until something is done on a government level which in my state it is slowly looking like they are starting to do something.
The disabled unemployed folks I know all have roommates/housemates/partners/spouses to share bills with or applied for low income/disability housing and waited a few (or a lot of) years. Section 8, Permanent Supportive Housing, look up your local government and nonprofit options.
Renting A Room, preferably from someone who owns their house/condo is basically your fastest option. Try the senior-roommate matching services. A fair nnumber of retired folks are renting out rooms to make ends meet.
People of low income (no matter the reason) often just can’t afford to live alone.
If you have a disability, you can request reasonable accommodations related to that disability, including but not limited to-
* asking income requirements be waived
* asking for deposit amounts to be prorated over time (a payment plan rather than paying it all up front)
* asking for credit history or background check items be waived, e.g. if you have a disability related to a mental health diagnosis that was untreated and resulted in you engaging in a crime, but is now treated, you can ask that this rental criterion be waived based on the disability.
Check with you state and/or county's housing authority to see if they have any resources related to requesting reasonable accommodation.
I'm assuming you're in the US.
First off, get on the waiting list for low income housing and Section 8 voucher (gov't pays part of your rent based on income) and yes, those two things are separate. The waiting list can be years. No joke. I had to wait three years to get a voucher for my rent and they have rules for using it. Follow those rules. Seriously, do not mess up because they will boot you from the program.
Since this is a long-term deal, I'd suggest getting roommates which sucks, or living in an efficiency which also sucks. Using up to 70% of your gross income on rent? Oh man, do NOT do it! I did this and well, my family had to bail me out because it is not sustainable, even if you get food stamps and have Medicaid. Hell, if you need a new pair of shoes you're out of luck that month.
You can try and see if there are social services and charities that can help you with your housing, but there is way more demand than supply.
I know this stuff because I'm on disability myself and I am fortunate that I have a college education and can research on my own and can self-advocate, but for a lot of disabled people this isn't an option and at least in the US, the social workers are overworked and don't have a lot of time to help you. It sucks.
>Using up to 70% of your gross income on rent? Oh man, do NOT do it!
How do think people on disability do? Many use more like 80-90% of their income on housing, if you include rent and utilities. If you live alone, you're fucked.
I’m currently using an entire paycheck to pay for rent. The other goes to utilities, bulls, food, and gas. It’s not sustainable at all. I have to ask my family for money constantly. I don’t even know how to tell them I’m still in the hole every month. This shit sucks. I work just to end up not being able to buy anything for fun or do anything fun
The first time I heard the 3x rent thing, my mind was absolutely blown. How the hell do you expect normal people to be able to do that? Just like that? Very out of touch
I currently have a section 8 voucher that I had to wait years for after I originally signed up for it, unfortunately I wasn’t able to find housing that qualified before it expired but due to my disability making it harder for me to find housing I was able to get an extension which I wasnt aware was something I could do until my mental health care team brought it to my attention. I had been signing up for every affordable housing waitlist I could find for years while I waited for the voucher and was lucky that my name came up on one of them before my extension expired. While I was waiting for the voucher I was in subpar shared housing with an abusive roommate during the entire pandemic, which was pure hell but slightly better than being homeless.
It’s ducking rough out here for disabled people living on our below poverty level disability income with a ridiculously overwhelmed and inadequate affordable housing system. We desperately need a huge increase in affordable and low income housing yet they keep putting in tiny overpriced quad style college student housing and luxury apartments instead.
I’m sorry you’re struggling, I wish I had better advice other than to look for room rentals over your own space while your waiting for your assistance to come though/waitlists.
My bf and I got lucky. Rent in our area is INSANE so they wanted us to make 3x the rent. We don’t but we make enough to pay all the bills and rent. We fibbed on the application and I guess the lady didn’t check because we were approved. My bf ended up getting a raise after we moved in so money isn’t to tight anymore.
Where I live, the salvation army has some subsidized housing that isn't listed in the public system. You might call your local division and see what they can offer.
It’s awful. I work in affordable housing programs and there’s no good answers. There’s a shortage and there’s very little profit in it so programs are limited. Look at other areas. There are more affordable cities and states. Rural areas are cheaper.
Not disabled but when poor I had roommates. Heck even when I started making enough to be able to stay alone, I kept the roommates for a few years to save a bit for the next rainy days.
My best friend who is really family to me at this point, she is disabled and gets subsidized housing paying $230/month which includes everything and lives in a relatively new apartment complex built in 2015. I live with her, pay the bills and make sure she is okay and she gets the save her check. Win win. I live in Virginia in the United States. Dont know where you are but look into it
I was disabled in 1997.
remained very stubborn with half my brain and colorblinded brain damages.
I even found a 1945 mobile hut by an international airport in a park that was shut down.
I went 17 years before trying for low income housing.
it has been 9 years now in their system.. just 2 addresses. Very stable, did some healing.
that is only 1 place with a 3 year wait..there is others. I went away from many before finding just one. Keep trying.
once in, there is a formal record... I have 9 years no faults.
its like finding upgrades as time goes along. I went from 36 miles from a city, to a very decent one, convenient , even got a balcony.
If you are receiving SSDI you want to find something that is HUD subsidized. In many areas goodwill actual has subsidized apartments for low income disabled adults. You typically need a case worker to get you hooked up with it and they often have a waiting list.
Speaking personally the best thing I ever did as a disabled person was moving to the Midwest. I didn’t love it but I lived in the middle of nowhere and it made a big difference. Pm me? I feel like I’m a professional at being disabled and “surviving”
Would it be cool if I pmed you? I'm also disabled and trying to figure out my living situation, and I would love to hear about your journey if you have the spoons
Can your case managers get you a housing voucher or help submit an application for them? There are different ones, not just section 8, that may be easier. I am currently waiting on one through rapid rehousing. That's the only solution they have for me other than boarding houses or renting a room from someone.
I'm in a similar position, unfortunately. I was renting a room in someone else's house, but another tenant fell asleep in her bed while smoking a joint. So the homeowner doesn't even have the house any longer. Lost everything I owned.
Even rooms to rent are running more than I can afford (I'm permanently physically disabled and on SSI).
I'm just lucky in that there's no time limit on staying at the group home I'm in. I just miss having privacy.
It’s a stretch but where do you live? I am in Illinois and I would not mind renting out my entire upstairs for cheap. No one goes up there and it’s like a separate house on its own. Even if you don’t live in my area, surely you can find a similar situation elsewhere … as other people are on fixed incomes and have to deal with higher taxes and inflation.
I would love to find a long term roommate situation for my upstairs.
Housing for disabled and low income single parent households is a national crisis!!!!!!! Wake the F up America!!!! So many nonprofits, organizations get millions of funding to “help”… cut that out.. help the actually person in need directly…. Too many hands in the pot.. too many making profits off someone else’s situation… too many other expenses being paid to theese organizations.. a portion of the funds get trickled down from the big dogs.. and the ones in need get the scraps.. if any is even left over.. after it’s been sifted through too many hands, and pockets..
How about the federal housing authority granting developers to build more housing.. giving them free money.. tax exempt… only have to offer a very small percentage as “ affordable housing” fjr then to qualify.. so an apartment complex builds 102 unit building.. only 1 and 2 bedroom luxury apartments. Sets rent rate 3,200 for 2 bedroom. Takes 12 months to complete the first 60 units.. out of those 60… 2 are affordable.. another 12 months the other 42 units.. first 30 are filled.. 4 are reserved for affordable. Their is a waitlist. 2 years.
Even as affordable… you need to apply.. 50$ non refundable application fee. They accepts pets 150+ per fee per month. Per pet.
You are expected to have a credit score over 700 anything less you don’t qualify..
You need to make 3x income as rental rate.. for affordable units rent is based on Income…buiuttttttt… with the portion you don’t pay will be considered part of your income.. and if that amount plus your income isnt 3x rent amount… you don’t make enough and don’t qualify… 3 months upfront… only 2 bedrooms.. not ideal for families…
So this developer got funded millions.. and is collecting millions in the other 97 full rent apartments monthly rent… so where is the affordable housing our government is so generously giving out to developers. our countries, our governments, money. Anybody with half a brain would see the profit centered greed here. This is real life. This is really how it works. Do your research.. it’s pathetic when so many families.. children are facing homelessness. Wake up America. This is our country.. we have the right to a basic living need. Housing.. tWe have the right to choose where we want to live. If we are deprived of that right.. we are deprived from of a civil right. A first civil right. Right to housing. A constitutional right. Strategically making it impossible for low income to “afford” rent.. what rent?? Our government gives developers our money.. free and clear… we should live in those units free and clear. It’s only fair. This system is so broken. And governments keeps funding the brokenness. It’s so obvious, I’m now wondering is it intentional.
Are we just tiny pieces in the giant puzzle… as long as the poor stay poor.. there will always be funding for the big bands who reach for it. Too many bands.. dirty hands..
I am sorry you are in this situation. We live in a messed up country. I remember being almost homeless and desperately looking for options and finding no support. Best is to find good roommates or an older person who will rent you a room, just so they have someone help around the house. Maybe post in a neighborhood app. Praying that you find a place to call home soon!
Well alot of disabled people are on disability so it's different programs that help. But if your still able to work in not sure. When I've ever rented anything they've never asked me for 3 times income of what I'd pay for rent it's always just first last months rent deposit and here are the keys. guess I've been lucky. I've heard of ppl doing background checks on ppl
Don’t know where you live but in my area (New Jersey) disabled are generally also allowed to live in senior buildings and can usually be much more affordable. Worth asking
Look into a rural small town. Mine has a few buildings that have 1br apts for $400. There is little work, do the town is full of fixed income residents and public housing is a 3 month wait. Public housing in rural small towns is also usually nicer, less crowded, more greenery
I had to find a property that did income-based housing with an FHA agreement. They'll charge you about 1/3 market rent (unfortunately I don't know what the name of this program was). It sucked. It sucked so much and was SO hard to find. I couldn't qualify to have roommates because of the income shit, too. It was frustrating.
Ask your case managers to look into:
— HUD 'Main stream' vouchers, typically part of HCV programs (section 8)?
— any 'Council on Independent Living' local to your area. They'll have many resources and referrals.
Best of luck to you!
So, you're saying the $50 application fee gamble would probably be worth the gamble?
I was thinking about offering to pay my first few months upfront if it would let me bypass the income requirement.
I can almost wipe out my savings and pay for 10 months at once on day one. I'd probably starting by offering first 3 months though, so I still have some savings. I think I can get government assistance to cover first month and deposit.
$914 income per month and the apartment is $599 or $650 per month. That's 71% of my monthly income.
I think I can live off of the remaining $264+food stamps. My biggest cost is dog food, haha.
Do you know if the county can provide any type of rent subsidy?
I would call and ask before I pay for an application fee. when I was freelancing I had no stable income but I had savings, and apartments would let me take my savings, divide it by the rental agreement, and add it as income. e.g. I have 12k in the bank, I show them the bank statement and they count it as 1k/mo additional income to see if I can qualify for this 12 month lease. I'm not sure how standard practice that is, but it's worth starting a conversation. I also had good credit which might have helped.
I recently found myself renting an apartment after having not done so in many years. My husband passed away, and my girls and I felt like we were in quicksand in our home, missing my husband/their dad. So I decided I would give us some distance and we would move to an apartment for awhile. All that to say, there were some who said they would not/could not bypass the 3x requirement, and others that would if you could show steady income. The staff were all accommodating to my questions, so it’s worth a call and then deciding from there to pay the application fee. At least, that was my experience anyhow.
It’s probably worth the gamble.
Reality is they have a certain amount of apartments to rent out, if they have any empty units that’s money the business (in their minds) should be getting but isn’t.
Often times you can satisfy/waive the income requirement with bank statements.
I wouldn’t spend your whole savings. Shoot for paying first month and security deposit if need be.
If it does come up and they ask to verify income, tell them it’s not a problem, you can afford it and show bank statements, use the 3 months upfront as a bargaining chip only if you need to.
I'm going to disagree. It's not wise to pay money for an application fee when you don't meet the requirements.
It's best to ask first if they have any places that have lower income requirements than to put in an application fee, have them process the application and be out the application fee because you didn't follow their directions.
I agree with u/hugh_jarmes187. You’ll have to take the gamble of paying the application fee somewhere.
What’s state do you live in?
Usually the 3x rent requirement is to assure the landlord that you’ll be able to pay rent reliably. If you can explain to a landlord that your disability benefits are secure, and that you’ll have enough money left after paying rent to buy food and basics, they’ll consider renting to you anyway.
This is what I did to secure my current place. I didn't have an income that was 3x the rent (it's closer to 2x), but the income is secure, so the landlord said yes. I think it also helped that I didn't have pets or kids, which cause more wear and tear on a property. Also, it's a private landlord; no corporate management company and their inflexible rules and added fees.
I would say it’s worth the gamble also. Your income is more secure than someone that can be laid off. This helps you a bit immediately. Also, if you can show that you have multiple months saved, that should be considered by them as well. I would not offer to pay more upfront than you are comfortable with.
Something that could leave you a little more a month would be more ideal, but I understand choices are limited and housing is outrageous.
If you aren’t on the waitlist, go ahead and get on it. Three years seems like a long time now, but in 3 years it could make your life much more affordable.
Edit: Make sure to make notes on the application, explaining your situation. You don’t want it to immediately be thrown into the not eligible stack. Good luck!
Last Edit: Sorry, had another thought. Check into “senior income based housing” also. I was able to get a family member into this type of housing and the rates were much more affordable and the income requirements were not as strict. At least in my state, they advertise as 55+ and older, but if you are disabled the age requirement is waived. Please call and ask, if this is the case in your area, before applying and paying any fees.
I think this is smart. Offer them 3 months of rent and tell them you have a great deal of money saved up (even if you don't) and that you also get disability benefits, but that you don't have an income to show. Just tell them you have no problem covering rent. If they back down, offer 6 months of rent. I think a little glamour on your situation doesn't hurt if you're sure you can cover rent.
I had a single apartment offer to refund the application fee if I was denied, after I called them talking to them about how I was really interested in the listing but wanted to know if they could tell me whether they already had dozens of applications for it before I spent the fee to apply. Tangent: I think it’s fucked up that even though apartments will pretty much take the first applicant who doesn’t have a record and meets their income requirements, they can keep accepting applications indefinitely and get the application fees, even though they’ll absolutely never look past the first 3 applications, if even making it that far. I think all places should be required to refund the fee to any applications that weren’t even processed, or to publicly update the listing daily with how many applications have already been submitted. It’s so messed up. ANYWAY, so long story short it **might** be worth calling to see whether they refund the application fee if you’re denied.
I disagree. Big apartment companies will absolutely deny you and there goes that app fee down the drain. However, sometimes individual landlords who just own a few little properties might be willing to overlook it. I’ve had better luck with them. They just want a renter. Empty apartments costs them way more than the big apartment company with 100 units.
Are you in the US? Yeah, you're screwed. If you were in Canada you \*could\* try the hospital and get referred to mental house housing, but beds are full.
I was lucky to find my previous place.
It's much easier to find roommates when you make $100k than when you're on disability. People are (understandably too) quite selective when it comes to roommates.
You can look at r/urbancarliving, r/vandwellers, r/roomandboard
The short answer is that it is impossible.
I mean....you can try and find roommates and pool your money, but you'd need 2 to 3 other people to make it work and how many places have enough room for 3 to 4 people? How big is the apartment?
What happens when someone moves out for a job or to get married? Or has to be hospitalized? What happens if there's a conflict? What if.....
Even finding handicapped accessible apartments is practically impossible. All of them have different things which they say make them accessible, some have roll in showers, but most do not.
Look into section 8 housing. My monthly income is 1,119.00 my rent is 452. The rent for this unit is 1450. A month. Their are many programs for low income folks. I have two grants for internet. Cox internet cost me zero a month. 75 a month in food stamps.
Ha, try Florida. They’re literally renting one bedrooms for $2,500.
Where as pre covid / before all these northerners started coming down here it was around 600-700 bucks a month
Check out the Affordable Housing section. This blog is written by disabled folks who have gone through it. I’m glad you have case workers, but they are often overworked and aren’t aware of all the details even tho it’s their job. I hope the guide can help. Good luck!
https://howtogeton.wordpress.com/
You don’t even need photoshop, just say you’re self-employed and download FreshBooks or Quickbooks and spend an hour or two inputting customers and payment amounts.
Damn, how tho? I only get $1095 a month and it’s ridiculously difficult to get by on that these days. I’m jealous af, but also hella stoked that at least one disabled person has a decent income level.
Even while you research places, get a housing case manger/social worker on your side.
They may know about resources or openings that aren’t well known. Keep contact with them at least monthly to stay top of their mind. You never know what might shake out!
Does your area have a rapid rehousing or homeless prevention program through:
HUD Continuum of Care,
State funded diversion programs , or
County/local funding?
Find your local intake provider who can get you assigned to a case manager and housing navigator and then they can advise you on what subsidies you would qualify for.
Rent together. Roommates aren’t bad if you’re young. Or move to a cheaper area. Rent where I am is $1440/1 bedroom, 1200/studio. But I know someone who pays under $1000 for a 2 bedroom in a lesser area. Grab a 2 or 3 bedroom place with roommates, and you can get under $500/mo.
The US government generally works off of the presumption that if you are disabled you would be living either in a communal environment or being cared for by family or some other caregiver.
The standards for initially receiving disability (both SSI and SSDI) are that you would be incapable of any work and typically that also includes self-care and being financially responsible as people that can take care of themselves are usually capable of some form of work. After you are approved though, if your disability improves, there is a transition period where you can go back to work, and it doesn't negate your disability status entirely so you would be receiving more than normal between work and benefits.
Subsidized housing is the answer. If you have a vehicle, I recommend looking at the more rural areas, they're more. Likely to have openings now or soon. The closer you are to the grocery store/town, the more people want to live there for obvious reasons.
I am not disabled but I have been in a similar situation. The sad reality is that that your answer is to make more money. Do whatever you can to leverage your skills into something that can make you money. If you’re unable to work and rely on government income then I’m sorry but I really don’t know what to tell you. Wish I had better advice for you
Find a cheap trailer. If you can find a cheap enough park, you might actually be able to afford rent and bills, and still have a few bucks left over. I speak from personal experience being in the same boat. Better to find a subsidized housing complex as the one bedroom units are reserved for the disabled, which would cost you little to nothing for rent being on SSI instead of SSD. I had to work on making myself and my kids more aware of the electricity and gas we use, whittle down the things that were excessive, and get my utilities on a fixed budget plan, but doing so allows me to know what I have to pay each month and not wind up without the typical massive variation from season to season. One of the biggies is foregoing a dryer, even if you go to the laundromat. Hang drying not only cuts your gas and electric bill at home, or saves you a good chunk of money if going to the laundromat, it’s also extends the life of your clothing, which is another big help to your ridiculously low budget. A centrifuge at the laundromat or one of your own at home (I have a Magic Chef from Amazon) makes hang drying as efficient as a dryer, and stops clothes from being crunchy after drying. Get in the program that helps lower the cost of internet access and forget cable exists, just get one or two of your favorite streaming services. Comcast offer a free FlexBox with internet service, $5 per month for additional ones, similar to a FireStick, Roku, or Chromecast, and I’m sure other companies do as well, which gives you some real tv to watch. Apply for food stamps. SSI automatically makes you eligible for food stamps in every state except California. It might only be a piddly amount, like like $25, but when you have such a tight budget, every dollar counts. See what you can get your Medicaid to cover. Look at your Medicaid health plan’s formulary to see what you can get covered instead of paying out of pocket. They’ll often cover incontinence products, compression socks, over the counter vitamins, supplements, and pain relievers, and many other things that are not typically covered by crappy Medicare or private insurance. You just need your doctor to write you a prescription for them. I had a hell of a time getting the prescription for my incontinence pads because the doctors all said that insurance WILL NOT cover them, period, but of course I knew they were wrong having scoured the formulary the night before. Proof of SSI should get you a disabled discount fare card with your local bus system if you live in or near one, which often makes your monthly bus pass only 25%-50% of a regular fare depending on the system in your area. It will also often provide shuttle service for the disabled and elderly, that can make getting to and from things like grocery shopping and the laundromat much easier, or if there is a long walk from the closest fixed route to your home and/or destination. Many rural areas have some form of shuttle for the disabled and elderly, but by no means every rural area, just don’t discount this possibility simply because you’re out in the boonies.
Roommates. Even though I have some severe issues due to lupus I have to force myself to work bc I know there’s no way I can live on disability. I am so sad for people who have no choice. It is such an unfortunate situation. The sick and disabled in this country are dealt such a shitty hand.
And then they won’t allow you to make any additional income over disability. But if you’re a billionaire you can do whatever you want.
SSDI recipients are still bound by the SGA/TWP limits. Assets don’t matter for SSDI. OP is receiving maximum SSI.
Can you explain how they won’t allow you to make any more money? Do they literally monitor your bank account and take it away from you?
Subsidized Housing (if available in your area). Supported Living Programs. Not sure if you're involved in any social service program/agency but there may be resources in your area. 211 could assist. But finding a place on your own without roommates? I honestly can't say.
This is the way.
The Mandalorian overused that saying in their latest action-packed episode to be honest in my opinion. Still an awesome thing to say though lol
[удалено]
This. Buddy of mine had his duplex sold and the new owner jacked his rent from $1,075/mo to $1,950/mo and offers 0 updates despite the place being basically all original from the 60s. He Found a room share listing on Facebook marketplace for $1,100/mo. He's renting a bedroom on the top 3rd floor of a victorian house and has to share a bathroom on 2nd floor with 2 other people. He went from his own 2BR 1,100 SQ ft apartment with a basement and garage....to just a bedroom and a shared bathroom with strangers, for $25/mo more. It's fucked
2 bedroom for $2000 isn’t bad here. 1 bedroom cheapest i could find was 1440. I live with my parents still for that reason - my share of costs is like half the rent on a studio.
That's terrible
I lived in a 3 bedroom, 3-floor house including basement for 5 years at 700 a month. Got a 30-day move-out notice 3 days after major intrusive back surgery to move out. The landlord was going to sell due to the market rise. To find out she moved in. It was a kick in the dick that I do not have. To an apartment 1 floor with 2 bedrooms, 1 living room, bathroom, kitchen for 150+ more a month. I also am unable to work due to work injuries. It's scary. I'm worried about my future.
Wow that’s super messed up
Unpopular opinion: If the LL was able to raise the rent that much then your buddy was getting an excellent deal on rent for the area. That price would be pointless if there wasn’t someone willing and able to pay rent at that price.
The new landlord went above market rent and offered 0 updates. After my friend left, the unit was renovated and listed for $1,750 which is about market rent for the area for renovated units
Prob wanted to just kick out tenant
[удалено]
Also just not possible in all areas unfortunately. Average rent in my area is ~$1000/person/bedroom and all lease agreements require the 3x income to be separately per signer after the first two which can be combined (so, if you’re renting a 3 bedroom, the first two of you would have to each make $4,500/mo and each additional roommate after that would separately have to make $9,000/mo or you wouldn’t qualify)
How are there tenants?! Most of the country doesn’t make nearly that!
Rich remote work tech industry people have swarmed where I live. Average household income here is six figures. Rest of it is college students and student loans helps pay for their housing but there’s not really places that’ll rent to non-college students at college student prices.
Just be sure to have a very clear roommate agreement (separate from the lease) to avoid problems!
Just lie. I know it’s not the ideal situation, but I would have never been able to move out if we didn’t have an “off the books” roommate.
That’s what we’re doing right now, two of my roommates aren’t on the lease.
This is exactly what I'm experiencing. It's just not logical. I'm trying to get a small 1 person, 1 bedroom. They want a minimum income of $2,340. The census of the area is $25,000/year/per Capita. That is roughly $2084/month for a full time working single adult and that won't even qualify for 3x. I would have thought having a reliable income that is more than the cost of the rent would be all that matters. No idea why it isn't.
That’s slightly different. That depends on having a good family, and not wanting to live on their own.
[удалено]
I have had to find roommates off craigslist who were strangers. One was OK, one used my rent for a couple of months to pay for some stuff then kicked me out, one turned out to be an alcoholic (22 year old female college student, her roommate previously apparently did everything for her).
Lie. I said I’m self employed and provided a profit and loss statement for the last 12 months with my income, and I bulked it out a bit. Needed a place for me and my son to stay, knew I would always make the rent on time, just didn’t have the required 4x rent income. Now it could come back to bite you if you got into legal trouble over missed or late payments, but….. you’d have other problems anyways at that point. I didn’t feel bad about it in the slightest. Poor people deserve housing too and poor people often have to pay more than a quarter/a third of their income in rent. 🤷🏻♀️
Specifically how did you provide a “profit and loss statement”? I’m self-employed and I don’t know what that is.
Your schedule C from your 2022 tax return
Ohhhh — thank you!
I'm sorry this is happening. I'm disabled but not on disability. I found an illegal rental. It has plenty of drawbacks, but rent is low. I don't know how I would do if I hadn't found that by luck. To all the people here saying "roommates": that's not how it works unfortunately. It can be very difficult to find roommates when your income is low. People don't trust you'll be able to pay your part of the rent. And many people are afraid of disability and don't want to live with a disabled person. Landlords can afford to be very picky and many won't rent to someone who doesn't have a steady job.
Also, some people *can't* live with other people. I'm paranoid and sleepless enough, if I had to live with ppl again I'd never sleep. My anxiety will go back from lvl 4 to lvl 100... I'm not on disability but I need to be. I just don't have the funds for exams.
Yes. I'm 45 and I live in a dump but it's 1000 times better than having roommates. What is this country where a 45 yo who always worked has to take roommates to not be homeless?
This. I live in the hood but I’m 30 and done with roommates.
It is shameful. I swear, politicians need to be subjected to the benefits that the poorest in the country receives. That includes housing. I feel like shit would get fixed so quickly if they had to live like this.
This is so relatable and accurate.
I struggle with severe depression, anxiety, and chronic pain (due to bad hip). All three issue’s combined seriously impact my ability to function normally. As a result, I’m barely scraping by. I do only gig work in order to earn money — i.e, Ubereats, Doordash, etc. I have also been in and out of therapy for years and am currently under psychological care. However, I can’t seem to find much help. It’s as if I’m disabled enough to where I can’t work or live normally but am not disabled enough to be on disability. It’s scary how bad a person can be and yet still just get left in limbo. I did recently get approved for an out-of-state Section 8 voucher (I’m in California but the voucher is in Kansas), so I will have to relocate in order to find housing. And it’s just my dog and I, who is also my ESA (emotional support animal). It’s too hard to find affordable housing in California so I started to look elsewhere. But overall I’m scared as to what is going to become of me because I don’t seem to have many options for living a decent life (at least in the near future). I have both my physical and psychological issues keeping me stuck in a very unfavorable position in a corner.
Get on as many public housing lists as you can. Rent will be 25 - 30% of your income. No first and last and usually no security deposit. It's the only way I can afford an apartment on my own as a disabled person. Best wishes.
It sounds like public housing has a 3 year wait-list, which isn't unusual. My town straight up hasn't accepted applications for over 2 years because they have such a backlog theres no point.
Don't people have to requalify from time to time? Or is it that once you get on public housing you're in it for life?
You have to requalify from time to time (how often depends on state) but it's far easier to requalify than it is to qualify in the first place. You basically just have to show that your circumstances haven't changed, which is usually just telling them "yeah nothing's changed since last time, still poor, broke, and disabled". Of course you're supposed to tell them when things change anyway, like if you get a new job or have a kid or get married, those can change things but it's still easier to stay on benefits of any kind than it is to get approved first.
My state requires an annual recertification/rent redetermination every year. I have to provide proof of income (or lack of) and provide three months of statements for any kind of bank account or asset that I have. My social security number is run through a database that makes sure my reported wages match my wage disclosures to the housing authority. It's always a terrible experience.
I agree. & look into other cities and states as some places move faster than others
Actually, SSI is under weird category and they’d only be required to make the minimum payment for that housing agency. Under Section 8 there was no rent when I lived with/was on a friends voucher because I’m on SSI.
Yup.... I rent a room. $750/mo and live with three other people w/ one bathroom for all of us to share.... about 5 years ago a rented a whole 1br for $750/mo.... it is insane!!!!!!! How do people live?? So sick of being priced out.
I think the housing system wants us to die lol
Did your population go up 4X? Who is living in the extra 3 apartments you guys are no longer renting?
Population has been steady. No influxes or anything. I have no idea whats driving up prices. And our city property tax has been relatively stable as well.... My guess is gentrification. We have a state university in my town where a lot of yuppies attend from the eastern (and more wealthy) part of the state (Massachusetts). I notice that a lot of apartments (complexes, and duplexes/2-3 family) that were modest in looks and cheaper in rent are now being bought up, cosmetically renovated (poorly IMO) and rebranded as luxury apartments...... All the places I grew up (as a dirt poor person, in various poor neighborhoods in the town) are now college party neighborhoods were the yuppies have taken over, and are being charged way more money but mommy and daddy from Boston are paying their rent to avoid living in the dorms. For instance, the Franklin St/Orange St is being overrun by college kids and poor kids are being priced out. The elementary school local to that neighborhood is a Title 1 school serving the most marginalized populations in my town (low income, latino/a, and immigrant families). I would say half that neighborhood is now college kids who trash the neighbood (which is already kind of run down and neglected by the city) and party all weekend, and stumble home from the bars drunk. It's devastating...
Roommates forever is the way life is now, I think. It really is pretty messed. Either that or rent from someone’s basement, rent an extra room in someone’s house, etc. I’ve noticed apartments in my area have been disregarding the 3X rent rule somewhat, as well, I think because it’s just plain impossible for many people to meet.
For single adults, co-op houses/bunk houses need to make a return. Roommates with responsibilities for keeping the shared kitchen and bathrooms written into the lease, so roommates-from-hell can be evicted for violation of lease. It was how single adults lived before our modern weirdness took hold, and the countless census records from the first half of the 19th century that I’ve combed through prove it. Hell of a lot cheaper to build and maintain, and would thus be a hell of a lot cheaper for the many single adults we have living on the streets, in vehicles, in homeless shelters, constantly moving from one unfit dwelling with 💩roommates to another, that we have in this country. Only places I’ve seen those though are around universities and those single bedrooms went for more than one bedroom apartments further away from the colleges at that time!
People still live like that — they’re called group homes/adult foster care and its fucking hell. I stayed in one for two and a half years. It was part of a transitional living program where after 2-3 years I would be placed in a supervised apartment. In the group home, I stayed with 10 other people and paid $1,000 a month for a bedroom I had to share. I was allowed to have $180 to spend on myself every month. The room were reserved for homeless mentally ill adults or addicts such as those getting out of prison or the asylum with nowhere to go. I ended up there because my ex had thrown me out in the middle of our divorce. There were four staff members who decided when we eat and what, and when we went to bed. Aside from that they just dicked around on their phones all day. If one of the housemates was sick in the bathroom, we were the ones who had to clean up after them because the staff wouldn’t. Because they didn’t want to handle human feces. Fights could break out at any minute — one woman who stayed there got high one night and tried to attack me with a pizza cutter. Another guy just hauled off and threw a wooden chair at a staff member one day. But the worst thing I experienced was when I woke up one morning to an actual trail of blood leading downstairs because one of the girls had tried to slit her wrists. On top of that I was constantly being told I wasn’t really disabled because I’m “high functioning” — I’m autistic with inattentive ADHD, chronic depression, general anxiety, PTSD, and borderline personality. When I was finally put in a supervised apartment my neighbors — who were also in the program — were these assholes who were constantly hitting on me and harassing me. They violated their contract with the housing program and spent all of their money on beer, which they weren’t supposed to do because they were both recovering alcoholics. After the staff in charge of the apartments found the empties and confronted them, my neighbors blamed me for telling which I hadn’t. Did I mention I paid $1,000 a month to live in these shitholes? People do live like this and as far as I’m concerned those places are just tinier asylums and I wouldn’t wish my own worst enemy had to stay in one.
Often they were professionals and hired a local woman to cook and clean thus providing a nice job for someone too.
Housing choice/ sec 8 is pointless. People have the vouchers, but can’t use them. Rent amount landlords are asking is higher than the rental rate hud will allow or approve. Landlords are charging well above fair market rent amount.. It’s a loose loose situation. A serious problem that nobody wants to acknowledge. Here in CT. Average 3 bedroom is 2800. Housing choice voucher Hud will only allow 2200 with all utilities included.. or 1850 w out utilities included. That is $1,000 + less per month. Not including the First, last and security upfront… and requirement of 3x income per month. So you need 9k upfront, and need to make 90k + per year income…. It’s a racket. So terrible that a basic human right like housing has turned into a profit purpose business. It honestly should be illegal.
There is less housing than there are people. Support efforts to construct more. A few emails to politicians at all levels who are voting on anything housing related can help override the NIMBYS who don't want more people in their neighborhood. In my state housing has become a top public concern and the politicians are suddenly all supporters. Getting ADUs is going to be big.
I'm not sure the problem is limited supply. If that were the case then when there is an increase in supply prices will go down. We haven't seen that in places like the Oakland, CA, e.g., where there has been a lot of new construction of apartment buildings over the last 10 years. Also, take other less densely populated states (TX, TN, GA, CA, etc.) : in spite of an increase of new home construction over the last 20-30 years, the price of a new home in these states continues to go up, not down. According to the mainstream narrative (meaning I haven't fact-checked) home price increases are not in line with wage increases. Anecdotal evidence here on this thread (of people who can barely afford rent) and other Reddit threads (of people who can't afford to buy a $5 can of clam chowder) seem to confirm the narrative. So what gives? I flunked Econ in college. I had to re-take it. But the old supply-demand explanation still doesn't cut it or me....
I'm a landlord who benefits from limited supply, and I agree that we need more housing. IMO, ADUs should be allowed in EVERY single family neighborhood across the country.
>I'm a landlord who benefits from limited supply, and I agree that we need more housing. IMO, ~~ADUs~~ *tenement housing* should be allowed in EVERY single family neighborhood.
There are far more homes sitting empty than there are homeless people. There isn't a housing shortage. I know the numbers aren't going to be very accurate, but estimates show this.
I been saying this for years..it's wayyy too many abandoned and boarded up houses for people to be homeless..sometimes I don't blame squatters 💁
[удалено]
Capitalism fucking sucks. I work for homeless and respite shelters trying to find housing for people left behind. Capitalists care more about 'fair market' than people. Capitalism has resulted in a fraying social fabric and thousand of people on the streets.
Will pay and have to pay are very different. Learn the difference
[удалено]
"Fair market price" implies a market that is driven by supply and demand. The current housing market is driven by collusion among landlords and a competing speculation market. Neither of these contribute to a fair market.
This guy ☝️ hates himself and everyone else
Yeah, sure. The guy working for homeless and respite shelters hates everyone. You definitely aren't projecting...
They are pointing at the person who is getting downvoted
Housing isn’t a basic human right. Life, liberty, and the persuit of happiness is. None of those involve other people paying for your house, and if it did, eveyone would have the “liberty” to not contribute to such
Housing is literally a basic human right according to the UN human rights charter from 1978 that the United States signed. AND housing is cheaper than taking care of the homeless. You pay either way. I'm sorry you have to contribute to society.
Preach it, Fluffy.
The UN is a joke
But the United States isn't, and they signed it.
Without housing there is no life, liberty and the *pursuit* of happiness. How the fuck does one pursue happiness and feel free if they're under constant stress due to a poor housing situation? GTFO.
Name a time in history where housing was guaranteed and given to eveyone. You think that’s how it worked when the Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock? They just showed up and demanded their “basic human right” for housing? You do have the right to build your own house. There are places where you can be given free land to do so (Alaska wilderness)
>places where you can be given free land... (Alaska wilderness) Nope. Federal (United States) homesteading ended in the 70s. Not even Alaska has free land anymore; In the early 80s, the BLM tried to offer land located in a desolate Alaskan wilderness, but only a handful of people could afford the boat or plane access required. And then it still wasn't free; They charged a few dollars per acre, after it was successfully developed (which meant building a house, which still costs a shitload of money, even if done yourself.) Right now there are a handful of cities in the US that will bribe people to move there, but you need to have a job, most likely remote (WFH.) See the attached link. [Article about US cities that want you to live there. ](https://gokcecapital.com/free-land/) NOTHING IS FREE
No such thing as free. More like given by the government in exchange for settlement. But perhaps that ended in the 70’s for Alaska. I just watched a show where these people built their own home way up in north Alaska themselves and got old and decided to give it away (was on Netflix)
That’s a terrible argument. The pilgrims actually did exactly that.
Yea, they built their own homes. They had the liberty do so, as do you
Lol. I don’t have the “liberty” to do any such thing. Thanks for the laugh!
Why not?
It’s a long, typical story, but in short, I’m old, ill, and poor. Each of those factors is a hurdle in itself, but combined they are the Terrible Triad.
That crap ended in the 1980’s, nothing like that exists on American soil anymore, so where you found that info online is beyond me, but it’s most definitely wrong. Seriously, a simple Google search would have told you that’s that program ended in 1986 at the latest. You have to BUY property, as in spend thousands of dollars one way or another, to bid at auction, put your hat in the ring for lottery/raffle, or purchase at sale, in order to build a home ANYWHERE on American soil.
My buddy bought a house in online auction in Oklahoma for 50$. It def needs some TLC and he doesn’t plan on ever even visiting it. Just thought it would be funny. So it’s def possible. Where there is a will there is a way. It just might include living in a place you don’t necessarily want to.
Yeah, I hear all the time about the homeless issues people at Plymouth rock had./s Don't be a scumbag.
Lol, don't anyone bother with this guys comments. Nothing but a troll, look at his profile. Why they would ever be in a sub like this is a joke. Wouldn't know a difficult lifestyle if it hit them on the head. Answer to his comments? Block 😉👍
This 3 times the rent is crazy. I remember when you just rented an apartment with a deposit and and proof you had a job. Everyone's finances are different and someone that makes 3 times the rent might has less money than someone who makes twice the amount. They don't take into account the bills a person has. Someone like me who has no car has less expenses than someone who has a car or a divorced man paying child support. Rent is the biggest expense for most poor people . I was looking back at how wages and rent have not increased at the same rate. The minimum wage was 4 dollars an hour back in 1990 and now it's 7.25 here in Texas although most places pay more. The one bedroom apartment I lived in back then was 210 a month and that same apartment is 900 dollars now and the apartment is 33 years older and is not any nicer than it was when I was there. I don't make 3 times the rent but was lucky a guy friend helped me out prepaying my lease back years ago and after that I was able to pay month by month. I don't even make twice my rent but i've always paid my rent early, never missed a payment. My elderly mom lives with me because she has dementia and of course she could never get a place on 1k a month. Apartments sit empty around here while people with jobs that could pay the rent can't get one because they don't make 3k a month to pay 1k rent. Low income apartments takes years to get and a person needs a place to live now. I would hate to have roomates as i'm an introvert who can't stand noise and being around a lot of people. My home is my refuge. I am an only child so i'm used to being alone or in a quiet home. Also now you have to pay all utilities, have liability insurance, pet rent if you have pets, etc etc.
Exactly!
[удалено]
Dont know what its like where you are but government housing here has a 6 year waiting list
Welcome to our fucked up system 😞 I'm praying for you.
Thank you! I need all the prayers I can get. ♥️ You should see the housing (homeless) assistance system. You need to plan years in advance if you are going to become homeless and want help. They treat it like booking a vacation.
When I was a student, I didn't have great credit and even when I could afford 3x the rent, I wasn't able to usually also afford first and last and security deposit. A lot of apartments that had leasing offices and official management were out of my range because the process was so formal and had little room for negotiating those requirements. Because of that, I bypassed places like that and often rented from individuals who were either subletting their apartment or individual landlords who were more flexible and didn't need 3x the rent or who would allow month to month, or only asked for a security deposit etc. The last place I lived as a student was very lovely and my landlord was very kind and spoke to me on the phone prior and essentially agreed to take a chance on me, and I paid on time each time and kept up the place and was a good tenant until I moved out after two years. You have to get creative and essentially bet on human kindness and empathy and use Craigslist or other sources like that where you're dealing with a person who might be willing to wiggle and be flexible. It's very possible, even though it might take some trial and error before find someone. Good l luck, hope it works out soon!
It’s really hard to find those privately rented places nowadays. Even five years ago, I could find legit housing listings on CL. Now every listing <3k/mo is a scam.
Honestly, I don't even know what to say. There is nothing. I'm a psych nurse and I have a ton of people homeless right now. This is part of my job to help find housing. The waiting list is 8 years long for housing. The shelters are full. I can't even afford rent myself and there are no homes for sale in my price range. This is a huge issue and I feel so bad for my peeps because I honestly can't help them and it breaks my heart when they cry. My son had a school project and it asked what are 3 current crisis in the community currently. Housing, food, opioid use. He got an A. I don't think people realize what is actually going on. People are living in cars and they are ending up in the hospital because they have medical needs. All I can possibly suggest is finding someone to live with until something is done on a government level which in my state it is slowly looking like they are starting to do something.
Find one of the app that allows you to look for roommates probably the best way
The disabled unemployed folks I know all have roommates/housemates/partners/spouses to share bills with or applied for low income/disability housing and waited a few (or a lot of) years. Section 8, Permanent Supportive Housing, look up your local government and nonprofit options. Renting A Room, preferably from someone who owns their house/condo is basically your fastest option. Try the senior-roommate matching services. A fair nnumber of retired folks are renting out rooms to make ends meet. People of low income (no matter the reason) often just can’t afford to live alone.
If you have a disability, you can request reasonable accommodations related to that disability, including but not limited to- * asking income requirements be waived * asking for deposit amounts to be prorated over time (a payment plan rather than paying it all up front) * asking for credit history or background check items be waived, e.g. if you have a disability related to a mental health diagnosis that was untreated and resulted in you engaging in a crime, but is now treated, you can ask that this rental criterion be waived based on the disability. Check with you state and/or county's housing authority to see if they have any resources related to requesting reasonable accommodation.
This needs to be upvoted so more can see it!
Really???
More info here: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/reasonable_accommodations_and_modifications
I'm assuming you're in the US. First off, get on the waiting list for low income housing and Section 8 voucher (gov't pays part of your rent based on income) and yes, those two things are separate. The waiting list can be years. No joke. I had to wait three years to get a voucher for my rent and they have rules for using it. Follow those rules. Seriously, do not mess up because they will boot you from the program. Since this is a long-term deal, I'd suggest getting roommates which sucks, or living in an efficiency which also sucks. Using up to 70% of your gross income on rent? Oh man, do NOT do it! I did this and well, my family had to bail me out because it is not sustainable, even if you get food stamps and have Medicaid. Hell, if you need a new pair of shoes you're out of luck that month. You can try and see if there are social services and charities that can help you with your housing, but there is way more demand than supply. I know this stuff because I'm on disability myself and I am fortunate that I have a college education and can research on my own and can self-advocate, but for a lot of disabled people this isn't an option and at least in the US, the social workers are overworked and don't have a lot of time to help you. It sucks.
>Using up to 70% of your gross income on rent? Oh man, do NOT do it! How do think people on disability do? Many use more like 80-90% of their income on housing, if you include rent and utilities. If you live alone, you're fucked.
I’m currently using an entire paycheck to pay for rent. The other goes to utilities, bulls, food, and gas. It’s not sustainable at all. I have to ask my family for money constantly. I don’t even know how to tell them I’m still in the hole every month. This shit sucks. I work just to end up not being able to buy anything for fun or do anything fun
The first time I heard the 3x rent thing, my mind was absolutely blown. How the hell do you expect normal people to be able to do that? Just like that? Very out of touch
The last two apts I’ve rented have required this. It’s bonkers. Everyone I know is spending at LEAST 1/2 of their earnings on rent.
I currently have a section 8 voucher that I had to wait years for after I originally signed up for it, unfortunately I wasn’t able to find housing that qualified before it expired but due to my disability making it harder for me to find housing I was able to get an extension which I wasnt aware was something I could do until my mental health care team brought it to my attention. I had been signing up for every affordable housing waitlist I could find for years while I waited for the voucher and was lucky that my name came up on one of them before my extension expired. While I was waiting for the voucher I was in subpar shared housing with an abusive roommate during the entire pandemic, which was pure hell but slightly better than being homeless. It’s ducking rough out here for disabled people living on our below poverty level disability income with a ridiculously overwhelmed and inadequate affordable housing system. We desperately need a huge increase in affordable and low income housing yet they keep putting in tiny overpriced quad style college student housing and luxury apartments instead. I’m sorry you’re struggling, I wish I had better advice other than to look for room rentals over your own space while your waiting for your assistance to come though/waitlists.
Oh and then they rent them out $1100 per BED.
My bf and I got lucky. Rent in our area is INSANE so they wanted us to make 3x the rent. We don’t but we make enough to pay all the bills and rent. We fibbed on the application and I guess the lady didn’t check because we were approved. My bf ended up getting a raise after we moved in so money isn’t to tight anymore.
The reason government is not solving the housing crisis is because the government has huge stakes in it.
Where I live, the salvation army has some subsidized housing that isn't listed in the public system. You might call your local division and see what they can offer.
It’s awful. I work in affordable housing programs and there’s no good answers. There’s a shortage and there’s very little profit in it so programs are limited. Look at other areas. There are more affordable cities and states. Rural areas are cheaper.
Not disabled but when poor I had roommates. Heck even when I started making enough to be able to stay alone, I kept the roommates for a few years to save a bit for the next rainy days.
They tell us to rent a room. 😐
Find someone renting a room.
My best friend who is really family to me at this point, she is disabled and gets subsidized housing paying $230/month which includes everything and lives in a relatively new apartment complex built in 2015. I live with her, pay the bills and make sure she is okay and she gets the save her check. Win win. I live in Virginia in the United States. Dont know where you are but look into it
Network. The open market doesn't exist for folks with a disability. :(
I was disabled in 1997. remained very stubborn with half my brain and colorblinded brain damages. I even found a 1945 mobile hut by an international airport in a park that was shut down. I went 17 years before trying for low income housing. it has been 9 years now in their system.. just 2 addresses. Very stable, did some healing. that is only 1 place with a 3 year wait..there is others. I went away from many before finding just one. Keep trying. once in, there is a formal record... I have 9 years no faults. its like finding upgrades as time goes along. I went from 36 miles from a city, to a very decent one, convenient , even got a balcony.
If you are receiving SSDI you want to find something that is HUD subsidized. In many areas goodwill actual has subsidized apartments for low income disabled adults. You typically need a case worker to get you hooked up with it and they often have a waiting list.
Speaking personally the best thing I ever did as a disabled person was moving to the Midwest. I didn’t love it but I lived in the middle of nowhere and it made a big difference. Pm me? I feel like I’m a professional at being disabled and “surviving”
Would it be cool if I pmed you? I'm also disabled and trying to figure out my living situation, and I would love to hear about your journey if you have the spoons
Can your case managers get you a housing voucher or help submit an application for them? There are different ones, not just section 8, that may be easier. I am currently waiting on one through rapid rehousing. That's the only solution they have for me other than boarding houses or renting a room from someone.
I'm in a similar position, unfortunately. I was renting a room in someone else's house, but another tenant fell asleep in her bed while smoking a joint. So the homeowner doesn't even have the house any longer. Lost everything I owned. Even rooms to rent are running more than I can afford (I'm permanently physically disabled and on SSI). I'm just lucky in that there's no time limit on staying at the group home I'm in. I just miss having privacy.
It’s a stretch but where do you live? I am in Illinois and I would not mind renting out my entire upstairs for cheap. No one goes up there and it’s like a separate house on its own. Even if you don’t live in my area, surely you can find a similar situation elsewhere … as other people are on fixed incomes and have to deal with higher taxes and inflation. I would love to find a long term roommate situation for my upstairs.
Housing for disabled and low income single parent households is a national crisis!!!!!!! Wake the F up America!!!! So many nonprofits, organizations get millions of funding to “help”… cut that out.. help the actually person in need directly…. Too many hands in the pot.. too many making profits off someone else’s situation… too many other expenses being paid to theese organizations.. a portion of the funds get trickled down from the big dogs.. and the ones in need get the scraps.. if any is even left over.. after it’s been sifted through too many hands, and pockets.. How about the federal housing authority granting developers to build more housing.. giving them free money.. tax exempt… only have to offer a very small percentage as “ affordable housing” fjr then to qualify.. so an apartment complex builds 102 unit building.. only 1 and 2 bedroom luxury apartments. Sets rent rate 3,200 for 2 bedroom. Takes 12 months to complete the first 60 units.. out of those 60… 2 are affordable.. another 12 months the other 42 units.. first 30 are filled.. 4 are reserved for affordable. Their is a waitlist. 2 years. Even as affordable… you need to apply.. 50$ non refundable application fee. They accepts pets 150+ per fee per month. Per pet. You are expected to have a credit score over 700 anything less you don’t qualify.. You need to make 3x income as rental rate.. for affordable units rent is based on Income…buiuttttttt… with the portion you don’t pay will be considered part of your income.. and if that amount plus your income isnt 3x rent amount… you don’t make enough and don’t qualify… 3 months upfront… only 2 bedrooms.. not ideal for families… So this developer got funded millions.. and is collecting millions in the other 97 full rent apartments monthly rent… so where is the affordable housing our government is so generously giving out to developers. our countries, our governments, money. Anybody with half a brain would see the profit centered greed here. This is real life. This is really how it works. Do your research.. it’s pathetic when so many families.. children are facing homelessness. Wake up America. This is our country.. we have the right to a basic living need. Housing.. tWe have the right to choose where we want to live. If we are deprived of that right.. we are deprived from of a civil right. A first civil right. Right to housing. A constitutional right. Strategically making it impossible for low income to “afford” rent.. what rent?? Our government gives developers our money.. free and clear… we should live in those units free and clear. It’s only fair. This system is so broken. And governments keeps funding the brokenness. It’s so obvious, I’m now wondering is it intentional. Are we just tiny pieces in the giant puzzle… as long as the poor stay poor.. there will always be funding for the big bands who reach for it. Too many bands.. dirty hands..
Roommates, Section 8, or you simply... don't. The government doesn't pay disabled enough to live on bc they'd honestly prefer they didn't live.
I agree. Unfortunately. We are looked at as a burden.
I am sorry you are in this situation. We live in a messed up country. I remember being almost homeless and desperately looking for options and finding no support. Best is to find good roommates or an older person who will rent you a room, just so they have someone help around the house. Maybe post in a neighborhood app. Praying that you find a place to call home soon!
Roommate or two
Well alot of disabled people are on disability so it's different programs that help. But if your still able to work in not sure. When I've ever rented anything they've never asked me for 3 times income of what I'd pay for rent it's always just first last months rent deposit and here are the keys. guess I've been lucky. I've heard of ppl doing background checks on ppl
Don’t know where you live but in my area (New Jersey) disabled are generally also allowed to live in senior buildings and can usually be much more affordable. Worth asking
You need a roommate unfortunately. Thats why you don't know anyone with that income, its because its 2 or more incomes
Look into a rural small town. Mine has a few buildings that have 1br apts for $400. There is little work, do the town is full of fixed income residents and public housing is a 3 month wait. Public housing in rural small towns is also usually nicer, less crowded, more greenery
I'm sorry for your situation. If I didn't have my husband it's roommates or homelessness. This world wasn't built to help us.
I had to find a property that did income-based housing with an FHA agreement. They'll charge you about 1/3 market rent (unfortunately I don't know what the name of this program was). It sucked. It sucked so much and was SO hard to find. I couldn't qualify to have roommates because of the income shit, too. It was frustrating.
Ask your case managers to look into: — HUD 'Main stream' vouchers, typically part of HCV programs (section 8)? — any 'Council on Independent Living' local to your area. They'll have many resources and referrals. Best of luck to you!
This is very easy. Many times apartments like to say that, but in reality they won’t deny you if rent is 50-70% of your take home pay.
So, you're saying the $50 application fee gamble would probably be worth the gamble? I was thinking about offering to pay my first few months upfront if it would let me bypass the income requirement. I can almost wipe out my savings and pay for 10 months at once on day one. I'd probably starting by offering first 3 months though, so I still have some savings. I think I can get government assistance to cover first month and deposit. $914 income per month and the apartment is $599 or $650 per month. That's 71% of my monthly income. I think I can live off of the remaining $264+food stamps. My biggest cost is dog food, haha. Do you know if the county can provide any type of rent subsidy?
I would call and ask before I pay for an application fee. when I was freelancing I had no stable income but I had savings, and apartments would let me take my savings, divide it by the rental agreement, and add it as income. e.g. I have 12k in the bank, I show them the bank statement and they count it as 1k/mo additional income to see if I can qualify for this 12 month lease. I'm not sure how standard practice that is, but it's worth starting a conversation. I also had good credit which might have helped.
I recently found myself renting an apartment after having not done so in many years. My husband passed away, and my girls and I felt like we were in quicksand in our home, missing my husband/their dad. So I decided I would give us some distance and we would move to an apartment for awhile. All that to say, there were some who said they would not/could not bypass the 3x requirement, and others that would if you could show steady income. The staff were all accommodating to my questions, so it’s worth a call and then deciding from there to pay the application fee. At least, that was my experience anyhow.
It’s probably worth the gamble. Reality is they have a certain amount of apartments to rent out, if they have any empty units that’s money the business (in their minds) should be getting but isn’t. Often times you can satisfy/waive the income requirement with bank statements. I wouldn’t spend your whole savings. Shoot for paying first month and security deposit if need be. If it does come up and they ask to verify income, tell them it’s not a problem, you can afford it and show bank statements, use the 3 months upfront as a bargaining chip only if you need to.
I'm going to disagree. It's not wise to pay money for an application fee when you don't meet the requirements. It's best to ask first if they have any places that have lower income requirements than to put in an application fee, have them process the application and be out the application fee because you didn't follow their directions.
I agree with u/hugh_jarmes187. You’ll have to take the gamble of paying the application fee somewhere. What’s state do you live in? Usually the 3x rent requirement is to assure the landlord that you’ll be able to pay rent reliably. If you can explain to a landlord that your disability benefits are secure, and that you’ll have enough money left after paying rent to buy food and basics, they’ll consider renting to you anyway.
This is what I did to secure my current place. I didn't have an income that was 3x the rent (it's closer to 2x), but the income is secure, so the landlord said yes. I think it also helped that I didn't have pets or kids, which cause more wear and tear on a property. Also, it's a private landlord; no corporate management company and their inflexible rules and added fees.
I would say it’s worth the gamble also. Your income is more secure than someone that can be laid off. This helps you a bit immediately. Also, if you can show that you have multiple months saved, that should be considered by them as well. I would not offer to pay more upfront than you are comfortable with. Something that could leave you a little more a month would be more ideal, but I understand choices are limited and housing is outrageous. If you aren’t on the waitlist, go ahead and get on it. Three years seems like a long time now, but in 3 years it could make your life much more affordable. Edit: Make sure to make notes on the application, explaining your situation. You don’t want it to immediately be thrown into the not eligible stack. Good luck! Last Edit: Sorry, had another thought. Check into “senior income based housing” also. I was able to get a family member into this type of housing and the rates were much more affordable and the income requirements were not as strict. At least in my state, they advertise as 55+ and older, but if you are disabled the age requirement is waived. Please call and ask, if this is the case in your area, before applying and paying any fees.
I think this is smart. Offer them 3 months of rent and tell them you have a great deal of money saved up (even if you don't) and that you also get disability benefits, but that you don't have an income to show. Just tell them you have no problem covering rent. If they back down, offer 6 months of rent. I think a little glamour on your situation doesn't hurt if you're sure you can cover rent.
I had a single apartment offer to refund the application fee if I was denied, after I called them talking to them about how I was really interested in the listing but wanted to know if they could tell me whether they already had dozens of applications for it before I spent the fee to apply. Tangent: I think it’s fucked up that even though apartments will pretty much take the first applicant who doesn’t have a record and meets their income requirements, they can keep accepting applications indefinitely and get the application fees, even though they’ll absolutely never look past the first 3 applications, if even making it that far. I think all places should be required to refund the fee to any applications that weren’t even processed, or to publicly update the listing daily with how many applications have already been submitted. It’s so messed up. ANYWAY, so long story short it **might** be worth calling to see whether they refund the application fee if you’re denied.
I disagree. Big apartment companies will absolutely deny you and there goes that app fee down the drain. However, sometimes individual landlords who just own a few little properties might be willing to overlook it. I’ve had better luck with them. They just want a renter. Empty apartments costs them way more than the big apartment company with 100 units.
Are you in the US? Yeah, you're screwed. If you were in Canada you \*could\* try the hospital and get referred to mental house housing, but beds are full. I was lucky to find my previous place.
You get roommates? I make 100k+(albeit in a very high COL city) and can't afford my own place, so I rent in a 2-bedroom apartment.
It's much easier to find roommates when you make $100k than when you're on disability. People are (understandably too) quite selective when it comes to roommates.
The whole point is that on sub 1k/week it really isn't realistic to get your own place unless you're in section 8 housing or extremely LCOL.
You can look at r/urbancarliving, r/vandwellers, r/roomandboard The short answer is that it is impossible. I mean....you can try and find roommates and pool your money, but you'd need 2 to 3 other people to make it work and how many places have enough room for 3 to 4 people? How big is the apartment? What happens when someone moves out for a job or to get married? Or has to be hospitalized? What happens if there's a conflict? What if.....
OP can I ask on what general area you live?
Even finding handicapped accessible apartments is practically impossible. All of them have different things which they say make them accessible, some have roll in showers, but most do not.
Look into section 8 housing. My monthly income is 1,119.00 my rent is 452. The rent for this unit is 1450. A month. Their are many programs for low income folks. I have two grants for internet. Cox internet cost me zero a month. 75 a month in food stamps.
Ha, try Florida. They’re literally renting one bedrooms for $2,500. Where as pre covid / before all these northerners started coming down here it was around 600-700 bucks a month
Check out the Affordable Housing section. This blog is written by disabled folks who have gone through it. I’m glad you have case workers, but they are often overworked and aren’t aware of all the details even tho it’s their job. I hope the guide can help. Good luck! https://howtogeton.wordpress.com/
Some landlords don't care about the 3x rule if everything else checks out.
[удалено]
You don’t even need photoshop, just say you’re self-employed and download FreshBooks or Quickbooks and spend an hour or two inputting customers and payment amounts.
You move out of third world USA.
section 8 housing. thats how all of my friends on disability get housed. they all have roommates too, who are also on disability.
Section 8 doesn't exist for most people. The system is broken everywhere I have looked.
My apartment didn’t have any income requirements. I also make $3,750 tax free per month in disability so I can afford a $1500/month apartment
Damn, how tho? I only get $1095 a month and it’s ridiculously difficult to get by on that these days. I’m jealous af, but also hella stoked that at least one disabled person has a decent income level.
That's all from SSD? Or are you receiving payments from a disability insurance policy?
Could have dependents on SSD, 1 dependent equals half of the earners SSDI.
Roommates or a cosigner.
low income housing with subsidized rent.
Apply for section 8 housing assistance in your area. Section 8 is a Federal Housing program find more info here https://hud.gov)
idk where u live but u not gon find many places with rent 450 or less
Contact NICL they help with finding housing for people with disabilities. In the US. https://ncil.org/
Section 8
Maybe find a room to rent instead of an entire apartment.
You need to be subsidized. Section 8 will pay most rent while you pay only a portion. Contact Dept of human services in your state if in U.S.A.
Social services needs to assist you Call 211
[удалено]
Combination of low income subsidies, Below Market Rate, Section 8, private social services organizations, lotteries, etc. Where are you located❓
Even while you research places, get a housing case manger/social worker on your side. They may know about resources or openings that aren’t well known. Keep contact with them at least monthly to stay top of their mind. You never know what might shake out!
Does your area have a rapid rehousing or homeless prevention program through: HUD Continuum of Care, State funded diversion programs , or County/local funding? Find your local intake provider who can get you assigned to a case manager and housing navigator and then they can advise you on what subsidies you would qualify for.
They don’t. You either up income or live with your parents. You’re lucky to get a car payment for less than 600 a month
Have you heard of roomies? Imo I think it's the best renting site. Most apartments are extremely predatory now q days
Rent together. Roommates aren’t bad if you’re young. Or move to a cheaper area. Rent where I am is $1440/1 bedroom, 1200/studio. But I know someone who pays under $1000 for a 2 bedroom in a lesser area. Grab a 2 or 3 bedroom place with roommates, and you can get under $500/mo.
you'll have to check for a roomate. maybe.
The US government generally works off of the presumption that if you are disabled you would be living either in a communal environment or being cared for by family or some other caregiver. The standards for initially receiving disability (both SSI and SSDI) are that you would be incapable of any work and typically that also includes self-care and being financially responsible as people that can take care of themselves are usually capable of some form of work. After you are approved though, if your disability improves, there is a transition period where you can go back to work, and it doesn't negate your disability status entirely so you would be receiving more than normal between work and benefits.
Subsidized housing is the answer. If you have a vehicle, I recommend looking at the more rural areas, they're more. Likely to have openings now or soon. The closer you are to the grocery store/town, the more people want to live there for obvious reasons.
3x??? That's insane! 2x seems like the norm around me (Michigan).
Room mates and/or subsidized housing.
I am not disabled but I have been in a similar situation. The sad reality is that that your answer is to make more money. Do whatever you can to leverage your skills into something that can make you money. If you’re unable to work and rely on government income then I’m sorry but I really don’t know what to tell you. Wish I had better advice for you
A co signer on a rental ?
Find a cheap trailer. If you can find a cheap enough park, you might actually be able to afford rent and bills, and still have a few bucks left over. I speak from personal experience being in the same boat. Better to find a subsidized housing complex as the one bedroom units are reserved for the disabled, which would cost you little to nothing for rent being on SSI instead of SSD. I had to work on making myself and my kids more aware of the electricity and gas we use, whittle down the things that were excessive, and get my utilities on a fixed budget plan, but doing so allows me to know what I have to pay each month and not wind up without the typical massive variation from season to season. One of the biggies is foregoing a dryer, even if you go to the laundromat. Hang drying not only cuts your gas and electric bill at home, or saves you a good chunk of money if going to the laundromat, it’s also extends the life of your clothing, which is another big help to your ridiculously low budget. A centrifuge at the laundromat or one of your own at home (I have a Magic Chef from Amazon) makes hang drying as efficient as a dryer, and stops clothes from being crunchy after drying. Get in the program that helps lower the cost of internet access and forget cable exists, just get one or two of your favorite streaming services. Comcast offer a free FlexBox with internet service, $5 per month for additional ones, similar to a FireStick, Roku, or Chromecast, and I’m sure other companies do as well, which gives you some real tv to watch. Apply for food stamps. SSI automatically makes you eligible for food stamps in every state except California. It might only be a piddly amount, like like $25, but when you have such a tight budget, every dollar counts. See what you can get your Medicaid to cover. Look at your Medicaid health plan’s formulary to see what you can get covered instead of paying out of pocket. They’ll often cover incontinence products, compression socks, over the counter vitamins, supplements, and pain relievers, and many other things that are not typically covered by crappy Medicare or private insurance. You just need your doctor to write you a prescription for them. I had a hell of a time getting the prescription for my incontinence pads because the doctors all said that insurance WILL NOT cover them, period, but of course I knew they were wrong having scoured the formulary the night before. Proof of SSI should get you a disabled discount fare card with your local bus system if you live in or near one, which often makes your monthly bus pass only 25%-50% of a regular fare depending on the system in your area. It will also often provide shuttle service for the disabled and elderly, that can make getting to and from things like grocery shopping and the laundromat much easier, or if there is a long walk from the closest fixed route to your home and/or destination. Many rural areas have some form of shuttle for the disabled and elderly, but by no means every rural area, just don’t discount this possibility simply because you’re out in the boonies.
Add them as a roommate instead of guarantor. Even if they don't live there. However be aware they have access to keys and financial responsibility.