ByHow to Find Housing Grants for Felons With HUD
It's hard out there for people who have had trouble with the system. One mistake early in life can derail you for the rest of it. Being a felon is the reason for many to disqualify you from school, jobs, and housing. If you're in need of a place to stay, DoNotPay is here to help you find that you can use to get your life on track.
Are Felons Eligible for Section 8 Housing Vouchers?
In most cases, felons can apply for a Section 8 housing voucher but are likely to be rejected. One requirement that the vast majority of Section 8 programs have in common is a criminal background check. Being a convicted felon is something that would turn up during the check. This does not mean you will be automatically rejected, but your options are most likely to be limited.
In general, there are several factors that determine whether or not you are eligible for Section 8 housing:
| Income eligibility | You are making at or below the posted poverty line in your state.
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| Age eligibility | If you are above a certain age and still not bringing in enough income, you may qualify for Section 8 housing. Depending on a fixed income, those who are 65 and older could find themselves meeting these requirements. |
| Disability eligibility | If you have been deemed disabled and unable to work, you are eligible for assistance, even as the head of household. |
In addition, you should have no history of crimes related to manufacturing drugs in public housing and not being a registered sex offender.
How to Find Housing Grants for Felons on Your Own
Finding low-income housing grants for felons through the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) can be a challenge. Not only is it difficult at times to find what you need on their site, but you also may not be eligible for certain programs regardless of your status as a felon.
HUD government housing programs are also incredibly popular, so even those accepted can often face severe waiting times. For these reasons and many others, having DoNotPay do the searching for you is generally a good idea.
If you're interested in trying it on your own, though, here's what you can do:
- Go to the resource locator on the HUD website.
- When your location is established, you'll be able to browse different options in your area.
- Look through the options to see if any are specifically for helping felons. Additionally, take the time to look for other non-specific programs, since having more options is always a good thing.
- Check the eligibility requirements of any programs you find.
- Apply to the programs by filling out the required information.
- When completed, review what you're written and submit (for digital applications) or print off and mail them in as designated (for physical applications).
What Other Options Are Available for Felons in Need of Housing Assistance?
If hasn't worked out, you can try several other avenues for housing assistance. Some of your options will include:
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USDA Loan
The USDA offers loans through their rural development program to those looking to move to rural areas. While it is a loan and not a grant, they work with lenders to offer low-interest rates and flexible repayment schedules, potentially giving the ability to rent or own a home to those who would not otherwise have the chance.
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Reentry Programs
State-level felon reentry programs exist to help those who have done their time reintegrate into society. One thing many of these programs help with is securing and paying for housing. These programs have helped many people find housing options that are willing to work with felons, plus rental assistance programs that are understanding about the unique conditions felons face in society.
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Charity Groups
Many charity organizations exist specifically to help former felons. Groups like United Way can help former felons and low-income individuals find safe housing options. Many also provide shelters for those who have lost their homes. Additionally, things like the Boots for Business Grant, Walmart Grant, and others provide a monetary grant to felons looking to do various things, so they're worth looking into.
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Veterans Affairs
While the VA is set up to provide healthcare for veterans, many VA locations also have resources to connect veterans with other forms of assistance. Those that are felons or who need housing assistance can often find support here, as well.
Additionally, every city has various charitable organizations or the like willing to help. Do a more localized search online or in person to see if you can find more options in your area.
Find Housing Grants for Felons With DoNotPay's Help
If handling this issue on your own isn't working out, let DoNotPay help. No matter what's in your past, DoNotPay is only concerned with helping you get a fair shot at success ASAP. All you need to do is answer a few questions to get us started:
- Answer a few questions about your income, family size, veteran/disability status, which county you hope to live in, etc.
- DoNotPay will find the PHA in charge of that county and contact them with all of your eligibility information to determine if you can start applying. They'll get back to you directly via email with the next steps.
It’s that easy!
What Else Can DoNotPay Do?
If you've already found , you can still benefit from what DoNotPay has to offer. Check out some of our other services, including
- Making appointments at the DMV
- File cases in small claims court
- Find missing money
No matter what you're struggling with, DoNotPay can help. Try the app today to start solving problems instead of suffering through them.