Rental rates are on the rise nationwide, and while rental properties in the Southeast tend to be cheaper than the national average, many individuals and families still have trouble affording the rising rents. If you are struggling to find affordable housing for yourself or your family, the following guide should help point you in the right direction.
Determine Your Needs and Budget
Any search for housing starts with knowing two important things: what you need in a living space, and what you can afford to pay. Start by asking yourself the following basic questions:
- How much space do I need? In other words, how many bedrooms/bathrooms? How much square footage? What are your storage needs?
- What kind of amenitiesAre desirable or useful features on/in a property or unit. Please Note: All the Amenities that are featured at a property is listed at the bottom of the individual property’s page under the “Ameni... More do I need or want? Do you need a washer/dryer in the unit, or will community laundry suffice? Do you need central heat/air? Is a clubhouse or fitness center important to you? Do you want to live in a newly constructed complex? Do you have a disability that requires accessibility features?
- What kind of location do I need? Is there a particular neighborhood you’re looking for? Do you need to be close to work, dining or shopping? Do you need access to public transportation?
- How much can I reasonably afford in rent? Typically, your rent should be no more than 1/3 of your household’s total monthly income.
Qualifying For Assistance
Federal and state government agencies offer a number of programs to help low-income individuals and families afford their rent. Some rental properties designate some or all of their units as income-based or income-restricted, receiving government subsidies to cover the portion of the rent that you may not be able to afford. If you are a veteran, there may be additional programs available to you. To see if you qualify to receive assistance, the best starting point is to check with your local housing authority. (Check the HUDEstablished in 1965, HUD's mission is to increase homeownership, support community development, and increase access to affordable housing free from discrimination. To fulfill this mission, HUD will em... More website to find contact information for local agencies.) For more information on how to qualify for assistance, click here.
Once you have qualified, your local agency should be able to direct you to rental properties in your area that participate in these subsidized programs.
Search for Housing and Resources in Your Area
If you have Internet access, one of the easiest ways to find affordable housingIn general, housing for which the occupant(s) is/are paying no more than 30 percent of his or her income for gross housing costs, including utilities. Please note that some jurisdictions may define af... More is to do a simple Google search to find available resources in your area. For example, if you’re looking for a place to live in Alabama, you can type in “Affordable housingIn general, housing for which the occupant(s) is/are paying no more than 30 percent of his or her income for gross housing costs, including utilities. Please note that some jurisdictions may define af... More in AlabamaFrom the rolling mountains of the north to the pristine Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, Alabama is a state with natural beauty all its own. Since it was first settled, Alabama has largely been a ru... More,” or even be more specific: “Affordable housingIn general, housing for which the occupant(s) is/are paying no more than 30 percent of his or her income for gross housing costs, including utilities. Please note that some jurisdictions may define af... More in Jackson, AlabamaFrom the rolling mountains of the north to the pristine Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, Alabama is a state with natural beauty all its own. Since it was first settled, Alabama has largely been a ru... More.” Many apartment communities and rent management companies now have an online presence. Once you find a property you’re interested in, you can look at floor plans, rental rates, and qualifying programs before visiting them in person to see if they have what you’re looking for.
Olympia Management oversees many high-quality affordable housingIn general, housing for which the occupant(s) is/are paying no more than 30 percent of his or her income for gross housing costs, including utilities. Please note that some jurisdictions may define af... More properties throughout the Southeast. If one of them suits your needs, we’re happy to talk with you about your options. For more information, call us today at 256-894-2382.