How to get housing assistance in N.O (New Orleans, Metairie: apartments, for rent)

[house of balloons]

If your a single male, no kids, & make $16,000 a year?
I asked someone today and they said you have to have kids to get on them type of programs. + there's a 2 year waiting list.

Damn rent prices is extremely outrageous here, $900 for a decent place?

[Neworleansisprettygood]

Originally Posted by house of balloons

If your a single male, no kids, & make $16,000 a year?
I asked someone today and they said you have to have kids to get on them type of programs. + there's a 2 year waiting list.

Damn rent prices is extremely outrageous here, $900 for a decent place?

I have a 740 sf condo with tile flooring, central air, granite countertops... and I pay a total of about $650 a month on my mortgage and condo fees. You should be able to find a very nice place for less than $900, especially living alone. $900 will get you a nice 2br in Metairie or Kenner.

[colcat]

Hmm, seriously, how do you live on $16,000 a year? Not being rude, I'm actually very impressed.

[confusedasusual]

Its all relative, but the last place I lived in DC I paid $2750 for rent. And that was a "deal." I find New Orleans to be really inexpensive comparatively.

Are you drawing any other sort of public assistance (food stamps, welfare, etc?) If so, you make be able to more easily apply for housing vouchers. I do hear that the waiting list in New Orleans is very long due to the number of applicants and decrease in units after Katrina. Many landlords specify that they will not take housing vouchers, which means the market is further diminshed.

I concur that Metarie, Slidell or even St Bernard Parish may be an easier place to get assistance. Any chance you might be able to increase your income with a second (or third) job or a higher paying job? What do you do?

[house of balloons]

Originally Posted by colcat

Hmm, seriously, how do you live on $16,000 a year? Not being rude, I'm actually very impressed.

I don't im 21 and live with mother. But will be moving out soon.

[house of balloons]

Originally Posted by confusedasusual

Its all relative, but the last place I lived in DC I paid $2750 for rent. And that was a "deal." I find New Orleans to be really inexpensive comparatively.

Are you drawing any other sort of public assistance (food stamps, welfare, etc?) If so, you make be able to more easily apply for housing vouchers. I do hear that the waiting list in New Orleans is very long due to the number of applicants and decrease in units after Katrina. Many landlords specify that they will not take housing vouchers, which means the market is further diminshed.

I concur that Metarie, Slidell or even St Bernard Parish may be an easier place to get assistance. Any chance you might be able to increase your income with a second (or third) job or a higher paying job? What do you do?

I work at a retail store. Don't even know where to start to get a higher paying job either....
Now i see why people sell drugs.

[confusedasusual]

You are 21? Living at home? and yet you are inquiring about housing assistance? Your time might be better spent looking at colleges. Just saying.

[Pook77]

Try to look for rooms for rent or roommates wanted. When I was living on about $18,000 a year in New York City, I found a roommate through Craigslist and we shared a small apartment along with one other person. I also lived VERY slim. If you're willing to come out to the suburbs, you can find okay complexes with studio apartments ranging from $500-600, but that's still a hefty amount to pay on your salary. I understand the job market is tough right now, but maybe find a career counselor? If you don't know where to start looking for higher pay, maybe someone can help you figure things out. Find out if you can learn a trade job. Manual labor isnt glam, but it'll pay the bills. Stay at home and save some money. $16,000 a year just isn't enough to survive in your own place.

[colcat]

Originally Posted by confusedasusual

You are 21? Living at home? and yet you are inquiring about housing assistance? Your time might be better spent looking at colleges. Just saying.

Agreed

[pdouglas]

Originally Posted by confusedasusual

You are 21? Living at home? and yet you are inquiring about housing assistance? Your time might be better spent looking at colleges. Just saying.

I agree, cosider going to college.

$16,000 / 12 months = $1333 per month

$766 (rent) + 200 (food) + 100 (electricity) + $50 (water) + $50 (gas) + $50 (cell phone) + 0 (no cable) + $100 (transportation -bus/cab/gas money for friend) = NO MONEY FOR FOOD, CLOTHES, PARTYING OR ANYTHING ELSE!