Low income housing- so lost (section 8, apartments, city hall)
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Brief background- I was a caregiver for my mom for many years and couldn't work due to it, which basically imploded my personal finances. She passed, and since Oct I've had full time work making $15 dollars an hour. I'm 42 and spent most of my life caring for other people, and I really want my own space now, but I've never rented. I am completely lost about how one goes about applying for low income housing. I'm in NJ, and it seems completely overwhelming and I don't know where to even begin. I have a good credit score (770) and can pay a deposit, but people around me keep insisting it is impossible for me to live alone and that all low income housing requires waiting lists of many years or just isn't available, and I'm feel very demoralized and depressed. I've tried researching, but I just feel lost and like I'm hearing conflicting things. How do you start as an adult renter who has never had an apartment and is low salary, but is also very frugal, responsible, and just wants the very basics?
Have you applied for anything? That will be the true test. Low income or subsidized housing often has waiting lists, so talk to a social worker & get on the list now. Private landlords may rent to you, providing you have a stable income & good credit.
Who else will you be living with and how much can they afford to pay?
That's what makes this more difficult. Literally my one goal in life is to live by myself. I don't want to have to worry about anyone but me and want to have complete control of my environment just one time in my life.
Have you applied for anything? That will be the true test. Low income or subsidized housing often has waiting lists, so talk to a social worker & get on the list now. Private landlords may rent to you, providing you have a stable income & good credit.
How does one talk to a social worker? That's what I mean by not knowing how to start.
That's what makes this more difficult. Literally my one goal in life is to live by myself. I don't want to have to worry about anyone but me and want to have complete control of my environment just one time in my life.
If that’s your one goal… what PRACTICAL steps do you need to take to make it happen?
Your income is low - get an additional job. Work nights. Work weekends. Work more.
Save money.
Consider a career you can pursue that pays more money with a little investment, such as ultrasound tech or truck driver…. Just throwing out examples.
Set yourself to actually succeed in life. Don’t follow any advice telling you to get on some low income wait list. You do that, you’ll convince yourself that you’re doomed to be poor
That's what makes this more difficult. Literally my one goal in life is to live by myself.
Not difficult. Impossible. At least until you can earn more (far more in NJ).
Target: One WEEK's net income should be able to cover one MONTH's housing expenses.
Where I live, inside city hall is an office that could take care of you. I have some apartments and some of my tenants use the services of the city.
I have twelve apartments, rent starts at $450 a month for single-occupancy [including heat and utilities] there is a shared laundry room. I think it works out to roughly 23% of Minimum-Wage.
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