How To Find Affordable Housing When Your Budget Is Tight

HowToGetAssistance.org provides general information only; you must use official government and nonprofit channels to apply for housing or benefits.

Finding affordable housing usually means combining three approaches: subsidized housing programs, lower-cost private rentals, and short-term help if you are at risk of homelessness. You typically get the best results by searching all three at the same time instead of waiting on just one option.

Key Affordable Housing Options To Look For

Quick terms to know:

Public housing: Apartments or homes owned by a local housing authority and rented at below-market rates.
Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8): A voucher that helps pay rent in private apartments that accept it.
Income-restricted / tax-credit housing: Private buildings that agree to cap rents for lower-income tenants.
Emergency shelter / rapid rehousing: Short-term housing help if you are homeless or about to lose housing.

Most communities offer some mix of the options below, usually managed by a public housing agency (PHA), city or county housing department, and local nonprofits.

Common options to search for:

Public housing: Rent is often based on your income (commonly around 30% of adjusted income).
Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8): You rent from a private landlord; the voucher covers part of the rent.
Project-based Section 8: Specific buildings where subsidies stay with the unit, not the tenant.
Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties: “Affordable” or “income-restricted” apartments with capped rents.
USDA rural rental housing: Subsidized apartments in rural areas through USDA Rural Development.
Supportive housing: For people with specific needs, such as disabilities, chronic homelessness, or veterans.
Emergency shelter, transitional housing, and rapid rehousing: Short-term or bridge options if you have nowhere safe to stay.

Programs and names vary by state and county, so your first task is to identify the correct local housing authority or housing department that covers your city or county.

What You’ll Need Ready Before You Apply

Affordable housing programs almost always require proof of identity, income, household size, and housing situation. Having documents organized speeds up applications and reduces delays.

Commonly required items include:

Photo ID for adults (state ID, driver’s license, passport, or other accepted ID).
Social Security numbers or proof of eligible immigration status for household members, if required.
Proof of income: recent pay stubs, benefit award letters (SSI/SSDI, unemployment, TANF), child support records, or self-employment records.
Recent tax return or W-2, if applicable.
Current lease or written statement of where you are staying, if you have one.
Eviction, foreclosure, or termination notices, if you are being forced to move.
Disability documentation or veteran status proof, if you are applying for housing that targets these groups.

Do this next: create a folder (physical or digital) with copies of these items so you can quickly respond when a housing office, landlord, or nonprofit asks for documentation.

Your Next Steps: Where And How To Start

1. Find your local public housing agency and housing office

Search for your local PHA. Go to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s “Find Your Local Public Housing Agency” page at HUD.gov and search by state or city.
Check which programs they manage. Most PHAs list public housing, Section 8 vouchers, and sometimes project-based or specialized programs.
Note each program’s status. Some will be open, some will have waiting lists, and some may be temporarily closed to new applicants.

What to expect next: Many areas have long waiting lists for vouchers and public housing. If the list is open, you typically submit a short pre-application and then wait for a notice by mail, email, or portal message when your name moves up.

2. Search for income-restricted apartments you can apply to directly

While you are dealing with PHAs, you should also look for affordable private buildings that accept applications directly.

Steps:

Search online for “income-restricted apartments [your city]” or “affordable housing [your county].” Many cities host official listings on their city housing department or state housing finance agency websites.
Look for buildings with LIHTC or “tax-credit” in the description. These usually have maximum income limits and set rent below market.
Contact properties directly. Ask if they have:
- Open units now
- A waitlist you can join
- Application requirements and fees
Apply to multiple properties. Each building typically has its own process, even if they use the same state or federal program.

What to expect next: Properties may screen for income, rental history, credit, and sometimes criminal background, within local and federal fair housing rules. Approval is not guaranteed; applying to several options improves your chances.

3. Get help if you are homeless or about to lose housing

If you are currently homeless, in a shelter, staying in a place not meant for housing, or have an eviction date coming up, focus on crisis-oriented resources while also working on longer-term options.

You can typically:

Call 2-1-1 (or visit your state’s official 2-1-1 website) to ask about:
- Emergency shelters
- Rapid rehousing programs
- Homelessness prevention or rental assistance
- Legal aid for evictions
Contact your local Continuum of Care (CoC). Many areas use a coordinated entry system to connect people experiencing homelessness with shelter and housing resources. HUD provides a list of CoC contacts on HUD.gov.
Ask shelters or outreach programs if they can connect you to case managers who help with applications and paperwork.

What to expect next: Crisis programs often require an intake assessment where they ask about your current living situation, income, disabilities, children, and safety risks. Resources are limited; you may be prioritized based on vulnerability, not in the exact order you apply.

Real-World Friction To Watch For

One frequent snag is that applications are delayed or closed out because contact information is outdated, mail is returned, or voicemail boxes are full. To reduce this risk, give an address where you reliably receive mail (this can sometimes be a shelter or trusted organization), keep a working phone number or email on file, and check in with the housing office or property if you change any contact details.

Avoid Mistakes And Common Housing Scams

Because affordable housing is scarce, scammers often try to collect fees or personal information from people searching for help.

Protect yourself by following these guidelines:

Application fees should be small and clearly listed. Many legitimate properties charge a modest screening or application fee; be cautious of large upfront “placement” fees or requests for payment before you see a unit or sign anything.
Never pay in cash to an individual who refuses a receipt. Use traceable methods (money order, check, online portal) and keep copies.
Verify that a property or landlord is real. Look up the property on your county property records website or city housing site, or call the number listed on a posted sign or official listing.
Be wary of social media or message-board listings that demand deposits before you see the unit or that avoid meeting in person.
Do not share full Social Security numbers or ID photos with anyone except verified property management companies, PHAs, or nonprofits that clearly explain why they need them.
If something feels rushed or secretive, slow down. You can say, “I need to confirm this is a legitimate rental before I pay anything.”

If you suspect fraud involving a federal rental assistance program, you can contact your local PHA or report it to HUD’s Office of Inspector General through the official HUD website.

If Standard Options Aren’t Working

If waitlists are long or your applications are not succeeding, there are still ways to widen your search.

Consider these alternatives:

Broaden your location range. Some suburbs, smaller cities, or rural areas have shorter waitlists or lower rents. Check whether your voucher (if you get one) would be portable.
Look into shared housing. Renting a room in a larger unit, or legally adding a roommate, can reduce your share of rent if allowed by your lease and local rules.
Ask local nonprofits and faith-based organizations about small rental assistance funds, move-in cost help, or connections with landlords open to renting to people with limited credit.
Seek legal help if you face eviction or housing discrimination. Many areas have legal aid organizations that offer free or low-cost advice, especially for low-income tenants.
Check for special-focus programs (veterans, people with disabilities, youth exiting foster care, survivors of violence) through local social services or VA medical centers, where applicable.

If you are stuck and unsure who to call, a simple script is:
“Hi, I’m looking for help finding affordable housing or rental assistance. Can you tell me which office or agency in this area handles that, and how I contact them?”

Quick Summary: Finding Affordable Housing

Start by identifying your local public housing agency on HUD.gov and checking whether public housing and voucher lists are open.
Gather core documents (ID, income proof, Social Security numbers, lease or housing proof, eviction notices) before you apply anywhere.
Apply directly to income-restricted and tax-credit properties listed on your city or state housing websites and other verified listings.
If you are homeless or about to lose housing, contact 2-1-1 and your local Continuum of Care for shelter and rapid rehousing options.
Protect yourself from scams by avoiding large upfront fees, verifying landlords and properties, and insisting on receipts and written documentation.
Keep your contact information current with every program so you do not miss time-sensitive notices or offers.

With these steps, you can work multiple paths at once: long-term subsidized housing, immediate lower-cost rentals, and short-term help if you are in crisis.