Finding affordable housing is getting tougher all the time and is one of the biggest challenges faced by many families in Orlando’s very competitive housing market. But there are options out there and we can help. For some, your rent is determined by your income rather than the market rate. This is made possible by government programs and subsidies designed to help low and moderate-income individuals and families secure safe affordable housing.
What Programs Can Help Secure Affordable Housing?
There are actually a lot of government programs designed to assist individuals and families with limited financial resources find affordable housing. With these programs, your rent is proportionate to your household’s income. There are affordable housing programs in Orlando, including:
- Public Housing – Government-funded housing managed by local public housing authorities. There are waiting lists for this program, which are currently closed. Check your local Public Housing Authority’s website frequently for any changes to program availability.
- Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program – A federally funded program that helps low-income families afford rental housing in the private market. There are waiting lists for this program, which are currently closed. Check your local Public Housing Authority’s website frequently for any changes to program availability.
- Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Properties – Privately owned rental properties that offer reduced rent to eligible tenants.
- Nonprofit and Charitable Housing Programs – Various organizations provide assistance, transitional housing, and permanent housing solutions for low-income individuals and families.
Are You Eligible For An Affordable Housing Program?
Eligibility for most affordable housing programs are primarily determined by income level, which is assessed in relation to the Area Median Income (AMI). The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) establishes income limits for Orlando annually. These limits classify households into three main categories:
- Extremely Low Income – Households earning 30% or less of the AMI.
- Very Low Income – Households earning between 31% and 50% of the AMI.
- Low Income – Households earning between 51% and 80% of the AMI.
Additional factors that may influence eligibility include family size, citizenship status, criminal history, and rental history.
Finding An Affordable Housing Program in Orlando
The very best way to start your search for income-based housing in Orlando is to search for apartments here on the HANDS of Central Florida website or on the Florida Housing Finance Corporation website for a statewide search. These web resources can provide you with potential housing possibilities and the associated contact information so that you can reach out to the various apartment complexes about vacancies directly. Since vacancies change on a daily basis, it is worth following up often.
If you would like to understand your monthly budget better, to know what you can afford as your monthly housing payment, you may register for One-on-One (private) Credit and Budget housing counseling. By signing up for counseling, we can provide extensive affordable housing resources and databases, as well as provide you with counseling on credit and budgeting to set you and your family on a path to achieve your financial goals. If purchasing a home is one of your goals, we can help you understand your options as well.
It’s important to start now in collecting any personal and financial documentation which might help in the application process. These would be things like identification, pay stubs as proof of income (tax returns if self-employed), checking and saving account statements, rental history, and any references you may have.
Demand for affordable housing in the Orlando area is high, but we can help you explore the various programs and community resources as well as help you gather any documentation needed to assist you through housing counseling. Apply for One-on-One counseling in English or Spanish today.
