Finding and maintaining a suitable family home can be a difficult task at the best of times. If you are a single mom then that task is so much more difficult to achieve. There are single mothers housing grants available in a few different ways. Here are two examples that can really help:
- Public Housing Agency (PHA) Housing Choice Voucher
- The American Dream Down payment Initiative (ADDI)
Public Housing Agency (PHA) Housing Choice Voucher
The U.S. department for Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds a voucher scheme through the Public Housing Agency. This is so that a low income family can chose a home that meets their needs as a family and receive help in paying for it. The voucher will pay for a portion of the rent directly to a landlord so it’s important to find a landlord that accepts payment of this type.
The Voucher can also be put towards the purchase of a house although don’t expect it to be sanctioned for a Beverly Hills mansion. The home must meet your immediate needs and be safe and practical. To qualify for the voucher you must meet certain criteria:
- You must be a U.S. Citizen or qualify under the rules set out for eligible immigration status
- Your family income must not be greater than the Median or mid level income of the area in which you wish to live. Median income statistics are available from HUD
- The Public Housing Agency must have met legal targets in the distribution of the HUD funds. 75% of funds must go to people with incomes of 30% of the median income level for the area.
- You must allow complete transparency between other local agencies, banks and employers so that your suitability can be assessed.
These grants are not only available to single mothers but to all low income families. You can apply by contacting your PHA and taking along any documentation they require. The most you can be awarded to your housing costs through voucher varies. It is roughly the balance of the bill after you contribute 30% of your after tax income.
The American Dream Down Payment Initiative (ADDI)
The ADDI’s primary purpose is to increase homeownership of U.S. Citizens from lower income and people belonging to minority groups. It is for first time buyers only and is to single moms can often qualify because of having a low income. What the initiative provides is:
- Up to $10,000 or 6% of the purchase price of your property (the highest is paid)
- Money for closing costs
- Money for rehabilitation Including the proper removal of surrounding health hazards
This help is another way that single mother housing grants are available through the HUD. Whilst not specifically for single moms, it is single moms that make up large portion of the beneficiaries. In order to qualify for this assistance you must:
- Be a first time buyer or have not owned a home for three years
- Be Looking at buying a single family home (Usually detached)
- Have an income below 80% of the area median or mid level wage (details for your area are available from HUD)
- For rental homes, 90% of your area’s ADDI funding must go to families with less than 60% of the median income
To apply you just have to contact HUD and ask them to check with their records of who administers the HOME program in your state or county. How funds are distributed depends on the population in your local area. Every state received funds for the ADDI which is part of the HOME program.
There are of course come charities that concentrate solely on single moms but they are very diverse and tend to be area specific, which unless you live anywhere near them are no good. If none of what you have read here appeals to you then it is worth asking at your local single parent support groups if they have any useful information. If you don’t know of any then try asking at your local library or even your child’s school. They may well have information on single mothers housing grants too.