Housing Assistance for Low Income Single Mothers: A Resource Guide

If you’re a low-income single mother experiencing housing insecurity, you already know what a stressful situation this is for you and your family.

The good news is that assistance programs are available. These programs are usually designed to help with specific needs, including housing.

But do you know enough about housing assistance for low-income single mothers, including how they work and where to find them? Keep reading to learn more about these programs and how you can get started today.

Finding the Right Housing Assistance For Low Income Single Mothers

This guide is dedicated to helping you get housing assistance for low-income single mothers. But to make the most out of these opportunities, you need to understand exactly what kind of assistance you are hoping to get.

For example, there are federal programs to help single mothers on low income throughout the country. But you might have better options in your state that offer more robust assistance. Your city and its various businesses and organizations may offer good local aid as well.

In some cases, you might be able to get housing assistance and other financial aid from multiple organizations. Make sure to explore all of your options before dismissing any possibilities.

Now that you know more about the different areas where housing assistance may come from, let’s take a closer look at your options.

Public Housing Options

When it comes to getting help from the federal government, most of your options will come from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (better known as HUD). One of the best options they have comes in the form of public housing assistance.

This program was not designed with single mothers in mind. Instead, it is based mainly on income. That means that applicants to the program can only qualify once they provide proof of either low-income status or disability.

Any single mother who meets the low-income requirements can potentially qualify for this program. All you have to do is find your local housing authority and put in your application. And there may be many qualifying homes in your local area.

Subsidized Housing Opportunities

When you get public housing, you work directly with the federal government and the housing authorities that work with the federal government. But if you’d like to broaden your search for housing assistance a bit, you can always explore subsidized housing opportunities.

The way this program works is that property owners apply for subsidy with the federal government on specific properties they own that meet certain criteria. In exchange for that subsidy, property owners in turn make housing units available to approved renters for a reduced rate. The best-known subsidized federal housing program is Section 8, though there are others.

Aside from the fact that the housing is subsidized (and therefore cheaper), renting one of these homes is like renting any other. You’ll be dealing with the landlord instead of the government, and you’ll need to follow any rules the landlord sets.

If you are interested in pursuing subsidized housing for you and your children, use this affordable housing locator to find qualifying homes near you.

USDA Rental Help

You might not think much about the United States Department of Agriculture unless you shop for meat in the grocery store. But did you know the USDA can help you rent a very affordable home?

The USDA has programs in place to help low-income individuals and families to rent homes in rural areas. So long as you qualify, the government effectively picks up the slack and pays for the portion of your rent that you are unable to pay.

At first, you might think that you don’t want to live in a rural area. However, the USDA has an extensive definition of “rural” that covers much of the country. Unless you have your heart set on living in a crowded city, this is a great option to help save money.

Additionally, single mothers often enjoy working with the USDA because it gives them a chance to move to a smaller, quieter area to raise their children. That’s quite a benefit on top of the financial assistance from the government. 

Help From the Salvation Army

Though many of us think about the people ringing the bells outside of stores during the holiday season when we think of the Salvation Army, this organization can help out single mothers with little income to find the housing they need.

For example, Salvation Army offers emergency rental assistance to qualifying applicants. So long as you qualify, you may be able to get help paying rent for a period of up to 24 months. If your financial situation begins to improve over time, you can also get assistance from the Salvation Army to buy a home of your very own.

Additionally, Salvation Army has special programs to help you hold onto your existing rental if you are in danger of losing it and becoming homeless. They also offer lessons in budgeting and financial management, helping you to hold onto more of your money each month even as they help you to find better-paying jobs.

Using CoAbode

As life goes through its changes, it can be very difficult to find safe and reliable roommates to help split the bills. This is even harder when you are a single mother because you must worry about whether a roommate will be a positive or negative influence in your child’s life.

That’s where CoAbode comes in. CoAbode is a non-profit that helps bring single mothers together to support one another. This program is entirely free, and the screening process helps to match you with another single parent that you are likely to get along with.

The idea of getting a roommate may take some getting used to, especially if you and your child have been living alone for a very long time. But finding someone to live with via CoAbode means cutting your rent and other bills in half, and this will do wonders when it comes to helping you save money each month.

The goal of this program is to bring single mothers together to help support one another. You may have more in common and get along better with someone else who is raising a child on their own.

Religious Assistance

If you are not religious or do not currently belong to a specific church, it may feel odd to seek help from religious organizations. But the simple truth is that in many communities, religious assistance programs are the best bet for struggling single mothers.

For example, most major Catholic churches have special charities to help people in need. Such programs can help single mothers with everything from emergency housing to long-term housing assistance.

Many of these programs are designed to eventually help you achieve financial independence and may include additional resources such as budget and financial management training.

Don’t Forget About Other Programs

Believe it or not, these are only a fraction of the assistance programs for single mothers. Depending on where you live, your state and city will have many more programs available. Search for “housing assistance near me” or similar and see what you can find on your own in your state and locality.

Whatever direction you choose, we hope you find the support and assistance your family needs.

Your Next Move

Now you know more about housing assistance for low-income single mothers. But do you know how you can save even more money each month?

Save Money on Your Wireless Phone Service

If you qualify for federal benefits such as public housing, you also qualify for Lifeline service. Lifeline is a federal benefit program that makes it possible for low-income consumers to receive access to free or heavily discounted communication services. Click here to find out more and apply for this valuable benefit.

Enjoy Recommended Resources and Amazon Deals

If you’re looking for more ways to save, check out our Recommended Resources page, where you can learn how to save 50% on Amazon Prime membership and use your EBT card on Amazon.