ABOUT SUDSIDIZED HOUSING

What is Subsidized Housing?

Subsidized housing is a rental unit where the tenant (renter) pays part of the rent and someone else (usually government funding) pays the other part. The part of the rent that the government pays is the “subsidy.”  Some subsidized housing is available in Racine for people who have disabilities, people with low incomes, senior citizens, and people who are homeless. The types of rental units, requirements, and availability of units are different from one place to another. Usually the tenants (renters) pays about 30% of their income towards their units.

 

Challenges with Subsidized Housing

Subsidized housing is an excellent option for people who have low incomes and/or have a disability. However, there are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Limited Availability: There are more people who would like to rent subsidized units than there are units available.

  • Long Waiting Periods: Waiting lists for subsidized units can often be for a year or more. Even if an application is accepted, it can take a very long time before a unit is ready to move in.

  • Restrictions on Who Can Rent: There are a lot of restrictions on who can and cannot be approved for units. Many (not all) apartments have policies that do not allow people with certain criminal backgrounds, especially felonies. Some require proof that you meet eligibility criteria, such a proof of a disability, or evidence that someone is actually homeless (example living in a homeless shelter).

 

Best Strategy for Subsidized Housing

Subsidized housing is not a fast option. If you are eligible for subsidized housing (disability, age, literally homeless, etc.), apply for all available options (apartments) immediately. Find a place to live while you wait to see if you are approved, and then until a unit becomes available. That might be staying with friends or family, renting a room or cheap apartment, or living in a homeless shelter. It can take a long time, so you need to start the process immediately and then keep the places you applied (property managers / apartment complex / housing authority / coordinated entry system / etc.) updated every time you have a change of address or telephone number. (If they can’t contact you when an opportunity opens up, you will lose the opportunity.)

Locating and Applying for Subsidized Housing

There are different types of subsidized housing and the application processes are different for each.

Project Based Subsidized Units (Subsidized Apartments):

These are apartments that have a subsidy. As long as you live in the apartment, your rent is subsidized (you only pay part). A partial list of subsidized units is available below with the eligibility criteria (requirements) and application process. If you have any difficulty applying or don’t understand something well, make an appointment to see one of the staff at HOPES Center for assistance.

(Section 8) Housing Choice Vouchers:

These are available from the Housing Authority of Racine County. You can only apply at certain times and the application process is not open very often. If you are accepted for a housing choice voucher (often known as a “Section 8” Voucher), you look for an apartment. If it is within the acceptable cost and passes inspection, you only pay part of the rent and the rest is paid by the Housing Choice Voucher. Watch for announcements when this is open for applications. For information, contact the Housing Authority of Racine County at 837 Main Street, Racine, WI 53403  Website: www.rcha.org 

Phone: (262) 636-3405

Coordinated Entry System:

Coordinated Entry has different types of housing assistance for people who are literally homeless. Literally homeless means that you live in a homeless shelter (HALO, Women’s Resource Center, TLC), or you sleep outside at night. People who usually stay with friends and family do not qualify for this assistance. If you can stay with friends and family in place that is safe, it is usually best to stay there while you apply for subsidized housing or look for a low cost unit.

If you don’t have any place at all to stay, first take care of your homeless situation by either 1) going to shelter if space is available, or 2) connecting with the street outreach team if you spend every night sleeping outside. The shelters and street outreach team connect people who are literally homeless to the coordinated entry system. Unfortunately, Coordinated Entry does not guarantee a connection to housing, because there are many more people in shelter than housing assistance available for them. Some people are in shelters or on the streets for long periods of time without getting into an apartment through Coordinated Entry.