Out of the more than 15 million single-parent households in America, 80 percent of them are comprised of single mothers.

If you’re one of the millions of single mothers in the US, then you know how difficult it can be to find affordable housing. Luckily, there are national and state housing assistance programs that can help you find something you can afford. 

Check out this guide to learn how to find help and low income housing for single mothers. 

Subsidized Housing Assistance 

Property owners and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development work together to offer reduced rent to low-income families. 

While this type of housing isn’t limited to single-parents, it’s one of the most popular rental assistance programs used by single mothers. 

With this program, the government directly gives funds to property owners. With this money, the property owners are able to decrease the amount of rent they charge to their low-income tenants. In addition to being available to low-income families, this form of subsidized housing assistance is also available to people with disabilities, senior citizens, and other individuals. 

To qualify for this type of housing assistance, you can’t earn more than the HUD’s current limit. This limit varies by state and changes each year, so be sure to look into your local guidelines. 

Section 8 Vouchers for Single Mothers 

Another option for single mothers trying to find affordable housing is the Section 8 Voucher. 

These vouchers are also offered through the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. These are basically coupons that are given directly to low-income individuals. You can then use these vouchers to help pay for your rent. You’ll submit the voucher to your landlord, and then he or she will send these to the HUD for repayment. 

In addition to reducing your rent, these vouchers also give you the opportunity to choose where you want to live. This is considered by many to be the most flexible rental assistance program available. Also, in some cases, the vouchers can be used to purchase a home. 

In order to qualify for these vouchers, the government will look at your overall income based on the size of your family. To qualify, your income can’t be more than 50 percent of the median income in your area. 

According to the law, the government is required to give 75 percent of their vouchers to families and individuals who earn less than 30 percent of the median income in their area. 

Median income rates tend to fluctuate each year. This means that if you didn’t qualify a previous year, you may qualify the next. 

To learn more about Section 8 Vouchers, we suggest contacting your local Public Housing Agency. 

State-Sponsored Housing Programs for Single Mothers 

Another option worth looking into is state-sponsored housing programs for single mothers. This program is very similar to HUD’s housing program. However, the main difference is that these programs are run by individual states. 

Although these programs are partially funded by the federal government, they give single mothers the opportunity to find affordable housing without having to move to a new location.

Public Housing for Single Mothers 

The HUD also offers public housing to low-income families in need. While this option is supposed to be decent and safe, many families have had negative experiences with public housing. 

However, this doesn’t mean it’s not worth looking into, as every area is different. In recent years, this program has made strides, and it’s become a bit easier to find safe housing. 

A nice thing about public housing is that HUD oversees the landlords. This means that if you’re in need of repairs or some other form of assistance, you’re likely to have easy access to your landlord. 

Additionally, some public housing communities offer parenting classes, financial counseling, and family-friendly activities. 

However, it’s important to keep in mind that many of these areas are plagued with high crime rates. And, it can be difficult to transition from public housing to other forms of low-income housing. 

Emergency Housing 

If you’ve recently gotten out of a tough situation and are in need of immediate, short-term housing, you also have several options. 

This is referred to as emergency housing. The most popular emergency housing program is the Emergency Solution Grants Program. This grant program helps non-profit organizations, as well as state and federally-funded organizations, fund public housing for low-income families. 

If you find yourself homeless, this program can help you get back on your feet. 

Another option to look into is Camillus Housing. While this program used to only provide assistance to Cuban refugees, they now help anyone who is poor or homeless. 

CoAdobe Single Mothers House Sharing 

If you’re willing to live with someone else, we suggest looking into the CoAdobe Single Mothers House Sharing program. 

This program helps single mothers find housing, provides emotional support to single moms and helps with childcare. With this program, you must find another single mother to live with and split the rent with. 

YWCA 

The YWCA is a non-profit organization that advocated for women. In addition to helping single mothers find affordable housing, they also offer programs in:

  • Domestic violence
  • Women’s health programs
  • Violence against women
  • Racial justice
  • Financial literacy
  • Early childcare programs
  • Job training and empowerment
  • STEM programs for young girls
  • Scholarships for young women

Eligibility depends on your needs and the programs you need assistance from. 

Low Income Housing for Single Mothers: Are You Ready to Take the Next Step?

Now that you know the top options for low income housing for single mothers, it’s time to decide which program is right for you. 

If you liked this post, be sure to check out our blog for more news and tips related to being a single mother.