9/20/2022
We would like to believe that government aid is only as good as its intentions, but theory is not always reflected in practice. In the United States there are many aid programs for people with limited resources, older adults or with a disability.
That is why the HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) is one of those institutions that you should know about.
How did the HUD start?
Since World War I, the US government has promoted policies to help disadvantaged people have their own homes. HUD was born from what was known as the Home and Housing Financing Agency, created in 1947.
The first would be an initiative of former President Lyndon B. Johnson and founded in 1965 under the Housing and Urban Development Act.
It is considered as an agency of the executive cabinet that is commanded by a secretary assigned by the president of the republic. This official is approved by a simple majority in the Senate and remains in office until there is a change of administration.
HUD's official headquarters are located in the Robert C. Weaver Federal Building in Washington, DC.
Main functions of the HUD
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development is intended to provide housing and community development assistance. Its mission is to make it possible for people to have fair and equal access to a home.
To do this, it promotes various programs aimed at reducing homelessness, fighting discrimination to obtain a home, increasing safe and cheap rent, and supporting homeownership.
Other important functions are:
- Surveillance of various programs and their regulations. This includes the Community Development Block Grant, which offers grants to communities that agree to use the funds to benefit lower-income residents. It also promotes the elimination of marginal neighborhoods and attends to urgent problems derived from natural disasters that may harm the health and well-being of those affected.
- The Section 8 application. Known as the Housing Choice Voucher program, it is designed to help very low-income families, older adults, and people with disabilities pay rent. The houses must meet the safety and health requirements, they do not necessarily have to be in subsidized projects and the local public agencies are in charge of distributing the payment coupons.
- FHA supervision. The Federal Housing Administration is also under the purview of HUD. This program to obtain a mortgage was created for those who usually do not have access to financing from traditional banks due to problems such as a bad credit score, lack of down payment, history of bankruptcy or foreclosure.
HUD Section 8 FAQs
We cannot detail the entire application process for rental assistance, but we do have relevant information for your purposes. The fundamental thing to qualify for this program is to consult the median income of the county a percentage below, depending on the number of members of the family.
With this in mind, there are other frequently asked questions:
How can help be used?
If a family qualifies for rental payment coupons, they have up to 60 days to find housing. The property can be a townhouse, an apartment, a mobile home, or any other property. The only condition is that the landlord or owner approves your participation in this program.
How are rental aids paid?
At the time of paying this subsidy, the government or local housing authority pay the disbursement directly to the landlord. This is done on behalf of the family or person participating in the program. Once this is done, the tenants have to pay the difference of the total rent that is not covered by the aid.
Can the vouchers be used to pay for other things?
Actually yes. In some situations, you can use the coupons to pay a down payment on a home or monthly mortgage payments. They can also be used to avoid an eviction situation or to do home repairs.
Is there eviction assistance?
Since getting Section 8 help takes time, you may need support to prevent an eviction situation. To do this, you have the Eviction Prevention Program, through which you receive advice, short-term subsidies and other types of assistance to remain in your home.
The HUD or Department of Housing and Urban Development has good things and others that could certainly be improved. At Buscónomico we support these initiatives and any federal agency, as long as they comply with what they are intended for.
Español: HUD (Dpto. Vivienda y Desarrollo Urbano) y la sección 8