Subsidized Housing Mean is a term that refers to government-sponsored economic assistance designed to alleviate the costs of housing for low income people. It can be in the form of rent vouchers, down payment assistance, mortgage interest deductions and other programs. The United States has a long tradition of subsidizing housing for low income people, especially in the form of public housing. Despite the positives, these programs are often criticized for their failure to serve the poor and to exclude racial minorities. DEFINITION Subsidized Housing Means That Some or All of the Monthly Rent Costs Are Paid for Directly by Government. This can be done in many ways, but one of the most common is through Section 8 Housing Vouchers. There are many kinds of subsidized housing, including public, non-profit and cooperative apartment complexes, as well as regular rental apartments. In the United States, subsidized housing typically includes government-owned public housing complexes. Historically, these housing complexes (often called “the projects”) had a negative connotation due to the concentration of poverty and the poor quality of some of the buildings they housed. However, this term has been dropped in favor of the more positive and accurate description of “cooperative” or “non-profit” public housing complexes. The most common type of tenant-based subsidized housing is the HUD Housing Choice Voucher Program, also known as Section 8. This program allows you to choose your own landlord and pay a rent determined by your income level. ELIGIBILITY Subsidized housing means that all or a portion of the cost of a household’s housing is covered by the government. This can be through public housing, Section 8 vouchers or through direct payments to landlords with a government contract to provide affordable housing. To qualify for subsidized housing, your income must be below certain limits set by the government. Your household must also meet other eligibility requirements, such as age, disability and family size. You can find out if you’re eligible for public housing by contacting your local public housing authority (HA). The HA can provide you with income limits for the area and family size. You can apply for a Section 8 voucher, which is tenant-based, or for multifamily subsidized housing, which is project-based. These are both government-funded programs, and the waiting lists are very long. WAITING PERIOD Subsidized housing means that the government pays part of your rent, or mortgage. This can be through tenant-based vouchers (also known as Section 8 or Housing Choice Vouchers) or project-based vouchers. In order to receive subsidized housing, you need to meet certain income limits and other requirements. To find out more, contact a community agency or housing help centre. Typically, you will be placed on a waiting list for public housing or a voucher at your local housing authority. The waiting list can be very long and you may have to wait many years before you are offered a unit. In addition, public housing authorities may prioritize their vouchers for specific populations like veterans, people with disabilities, or homeless families to better address the needs of their communities. Therefore, households who fall into these priority categories may have shorter waits than the average for all other households. RENTS Subsidized housing is typically available at lower rents than the market, often based on a percentage of your income. These units are ideal for low-income households who may not have the resources to pay higher rents on their own. Generally, public housing residents pay about 30% of their income on rent. State family public housing residents pay less than this, depending on the amount of utilities included in their rent. Some public housing tenants receive a subsidy on their rent, which is paid by the government. If you are receiving this type of assistance, it is important to be aware that the housing authority must adjust your monthly subsidy based on changes in your income and deductions each year. Other subsidized housing options may include project-based Section 8 and MRVP. These programs have their own rules that make the housing affordable. If you are eligible for a particular program, check the rules and speak to an attorney if you have any questions. Click here — What is subsidized housing