(TheDailyCurrents.com) – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is a federal program that aims to provide equitable housing opportunities for everyone. There are multiple programs and agencies developed by HUD to assist people with affordable and fair housing. Understanding what HUD offers can help individuals overcome housing insecurity and find affordable housing.

Housing Choice Voucher Program

The Housing Choice Voucher Program commonly referred to as Section 8, is one of the most well-known HUD programs. It is designed to help very low-income families and elderly and disabled individuals the opportunity to afford safe, decent, sanitary housing. The assistance is provided in the form of a voucher on behalf of the recipient, so they are able to find their own housing in the private market as long as it meets program requirements. The Housing Choice Voucher Program is administered through local public housing agencies.

Public Housing

Also established to provide safe and decent housing for low-income families, public housing comes in all types, such as single-family houses and high-rise apartments. Local public housing authorities determine eligibility based on annual gross income, qualification status (family, elderly, person with a disability), and U.S citizenship or eligible immigration status. The participant’s rent is based on their expected annual gross income, with some deduction allowances.

FHA Mortgage and Loan Insurance

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is part of HUD and issues FHA loans in order to help people become homeowners. The FHA insures the loan, which allows the lender to offer borrowers a better deal, which could include low down payments, low closing costs, and easier credit qualification. FHA loans may be available to first-time homebuyers, in the form of FHA Reverse Mortgages for seniors, as an FHA Energy-Efficient Mortgage, or manufactured and mobile home financing.

Community Development Block Grants

The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program assists HUD with developing communities in order to provide safer, more sanitary dwellings, increase employment and public services, improve utilities, and rehabilitate buildings. The goal is to make urban communities better for those who live there. Communities, primarily those serving low-income residents, receive financial assistance in the form of grants.

HOME Investment Partnerships Program

HOME Investment Partnership Program, also referred to simply as HOME, annually grants need-based funds to communities for the use of improving housing opportunities. Participating communities must match 25 cents for every dollar of grant funds but may decide how they would like to use their funds towards tenant-based rental assistance, homebuyer assistance, rehabilitation of housing to use for rentals or other similar uses.

Homeless Assistance

There are multiple HUD programs in place to assist homeless individuals and families. HUD provides financial assistance to nonprofit organizations that assist the homeless and assistance to state and local governments for public housing agencies. These programs work to provide homeless individuals with safe shelter, either temporary or permanent. Interested individuals can contact state agencies to learn more about local homeless assistance.

Fair Housing Assistance Program

The Fair Housing Assistance Program (FHAP) is a program that HUD established to issue funds to state and local agencies that administer their own fair housing laws. HUD must determine that the laws are equivalent to the Fair Housing Act, which protects buyers and renters from discrimination due to:

• race
• color
• national origin
• religion
• sex (including sexual orientation or gender identity)
• familial status
• disability

Finding Assistance with HUD

There are a variety of programs available for different individuals and families and their unique circumstances, so whether you or someone you know is in need, contacting the local public housing authority is important. They can direct individuals to programs that provide temporary or more permanent housing solutions.

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