Arc Guide to Subsidized Housing

The federal government provides subsidized housing. This is often with help from states and counties. Subsidized housing helps people afford a place to live.

Subsidized housing is money to help pay your rent.

This will pay 60% to 70% of the total monthly cost of your rent. You will pay 30% to 40% of your monthly income to pay for your rent.

There may be a waiting list to receive subsidized housing.

Qualifications

Low-income
Low-income is defined by the government authority that provides the subsidy.
Varies depending on where you live in the state and what kind of subsidized housing you want

Subsidized Housing Programs

Project-based Section 8

Helps you pay your rent.
Pays 70% of the total monthly cost of your rent.
You will pay 30% of your monthly income towards the monthly cost of your rent.
Is only for the building where you are renting.
- You will not continue to receive this money if you move out of your building.

Section 8 Housing Vouchers

Helps you pay your rent in a market rate unit.

The federal government must agree the rent meets the standard for fair market rent.
The landlord must agree to accept the federal government subsidy. The landlord must follow the government rules for the apartment you want to rent.
Pays 60% to 70% of the total monthly cost of your rent.
You will pay 30% to 40% of your monthly income towards the total monthly cost of your rent.
The voucher money from the federal government is assigned to you.
You will continue to receive this voucher money from the government to help you pay rent even if you move. You must move to an apartment that accepts this voucher.

Public Housing

Run by local public housing authorities or local housing and redevelopment authorities.
Helps you pay your rent.
Pays 70% of the total monthly cost of your rent.
You will pay 30% of your monthly income towards the total monthly cost of your rent.
The money from the federal government is attached to the building where you are renting.
If you move out of your building, you will not continue to receive this money from the government to help you pay rent.

Section 42 Housing

Uses tax credits to assist the owner in building the housing.
The landlord is required to set rent a little lower than market-rate housing.
You will have to meet the Section 42 income guidelines to rent in a Section 42 building.
The building will have information about the income guidelines.
Section 42 buildings will accept the Section 8 voucher.

Market-Rate Housing

Market-rate housing is not subsidized, unless you have a voucher.
You will not receive money to help you pay your rent.
You will be responsible for the entire monthly rent.

Resources

Housing Link: information and assistance for finding subsidized housing

Housing Benefits 101

Arc Guide to Subsidized Housing PDF

For more information or advocacy services, contact The Arc Minnesota at 833.450.1494 or visit www.arcminnesota.org. (Please note: This document is not legal advice. No information should replace the advice of an attorney.)