Ten Steps to Rent

It is the beginning of May 2012 and you do not have your rent payment this month. Maybe you have not paid your rent for several months and keep receiving letters from your landlord threatening to kick you out. You’re shaking in your boots and stressing about where you’re going to come up with this payment. Your mind is wondering about where your family is going to go if you get evicted. Does this sound familiar? I know how you feel and most of us have been there.
Please realize there are large sums of people looking for rent assistance. There may be many reasons why you do not have the rent payment. Maybe you lost your job and have no income at the moment or your utility bill was due and at the time it was more important. Whatever the reason is your wondering what can fix it.
This is a ten point guide to find the rent assistance you need. Now as always I have to bring you to reality and let you know that searching for rent help is very hard to find and especially in rural areas of the country. Take these suggestions and find the help you need, but remember nothing is guaranteed.

Ten point guide to finding rent assistance:
1. Write a summary about why you were behind on rent.
2. Write a statement about what you will do in the future to prevent you from getting behind again.
3. Write an amount that you will be able to put toward the rent
4. Write any illness you may have and how many children or elderly people are in the household.
5. Find local agencies that may assist with financial assistance.
a. Go to Hud.gov –Click topic area & choose rental assistance-Click housing counseling agency (There is listing of organizations that may help with housing)
b. Contact large nonprofit agencies in your city, such as: Salvation Army, Urban League, or United Way to name a few.
c. If you have a major illness, Find the chapter of your city such as: MS Society, American Cancer Association, or Epilepsy Foundation, etc.
6. Find local churches in your area, neighborhood, or city.
a. Look in a phone book for local churches
i. Ask about social ministries program (social ministries inside a church will help non-church members with funds toward their needs)
b. Find churches by using church directories
NOTE: The best church to start seeking assistance is around your neighborhood within 8-10 blocks of your house.
7. Make a list containing all agencies and churches found.
8. Call each number on your list and ask the following questions:
a. (For Agencies) Does your agency have any funds available to rent assistance? Here’s where your summary document come in handy. With agencies, advise customer service rep on why you were behind & what you will do in the future.
b. (For Churches) State-“ I’m calling because I am in despite need of rent assistance because (say what on your statement document) and I was wondering if your church had any funds to help with this or does your church have social ministries that would be able to help. I can put $$$ amount of money towards my rent. But I would only need $$$ amount to help pay it in full”.
9. Once you have a “yes”, make sure you write that agency on a different paper for future reference.
10. Apply and bring any documents that are needed: proof of income, picture ID, social security cards for all household members, a current bill, etc.

Note: You may be thinking, calling churches sound crazy especially if you are not a member. Well think again, churches were around before agencies and most will help their community.

REALITY CHECK!


In some areas, rent is almost non-existent and when there are funds available it may have several restrictions. The best way to go about getting rent assistance is to tag team the situation- By contacting agencies and churches.

Section 8 Secrets

Have you ever wondered about section 8 or public housing programs? Have you thought about being one of lucky people on the eight year waiting list? Are these some of the questions you have asked yourself? Well it is your luck day, to find out secrets about this fought-over service. This is the service that everyone wants and the service that many need. So listen close and carefully, you may need to read this post again and again. However, you choose to devour this information, please take heed to it.


This is the EXCLUSIVE posting for all my readers.

First, let’s go over what is section 8/public housing.

The section 8 is one of the federal government housing programs. This program helps individuals or families find affordable housing and in some cases (based on income) the program will pay all of your rent. Wow, isn’t that sweet. This program is also known as a Housing Choice Voucher.

The housing choice voucher website states: The goal of this program is to provide a healthy and safe place of your choosing at a reasonable rent cost.

The benefits of this particular program: Lower rent than market rate, up-to-code properties that has been inspected by approved inspectors, being able to move to areas of your choosing, and the voucher is good in any U.S. state.

As you can see, this is the reason that the waiting list is so long. There are about 22,000 clients that receive this assistance in the state of Missouri according to the Housing Authority’s website.

How to apply:

Simply visit a management office and request an application or visit the Housing Authority in your area and request an application. Be sure to bring in necessary documents, such as a picture ID, utility bill, social security numbers for all household members, and proof of income.

Reality Check!!!



All these benefits are great and needed in our community, but there is a reason why the list is so long. When people are accepted into this type of program they tend not to leave. The program was not made for families to stay on for the rest of their life. Even though that is exactly what happens. People inquire all the time “I wonder is there a program available the will house me and my kids?” and there are. It’s called Section 8 and Public Housing.

Let’s look into a typical stereotype:

I have four children by four different men. I have been unemployed for three years and it seems like I cannot find a job. I am on welfare (TANF) and I receive 300+ once a month, but in food stamps I receive 700 dollars and right now we are all living with my mother.

Is there a place I can afford with only 300 dollars a month in income? (OH, I know I need to get on section 8)

Solution:

If you need housing (LISTEN CAREFULLY) the solution is a JOB/Employment. Other than this type of program you will not find housing. People if you are reading this post, please do not rely on programs such as section 8. There is a slim chance you will be on the waiting list or your name is called for this program. Rely on self, meaning the only one that can make your situation better is YOU! These programs are helpful, but too many people wait on these programs before they decide to make a change in their life and some individuals will never decide to think differently or explore other options.

If you want to live comfortable or decent for that matter, you must work. The only way out of poverty is through education and employment. Relying only on these programs will not accomplish anything except more poverty stricken communities. The program is unbelievable actually, think about it- A program that will place you in state approve housing and for FREE! WOW!

These programs should be used when needed, but they are not to be waited on.

BOTTOM LINE: Other than this free program, there are not any free housing available.



Steps to getting housing:

1. Look for housing online websites, rental listing agencies, or newspapers.

    a. If you have terrible credit, look for housing that states BAD CREDIT APPROVED or NO CREDIT CHECK.

2. Make sure property is in your price range and affordable for your income. (Something you can afford)

3. Sign lease

4. Now you have housing. (Not by the government) Good Luck


“We all have problems, but what are we going to do to fix them and move forward…pass it on.”
                                                                                                                                     Cece Carroll


If there are any questions pertaining to local services. Feel free to leave a comment or e-mail at shebron21@yahoo.com. Also, if you feel my post is worth sharing pass it on and Google+1.



Agency Highlight


St. Louis Housing Authority


(314) 428-3200

Caseworkers and You

There are different types of case management services, for example human service workers, client advocates and elderly or disabled case managers. Have you ever wondered about case management or thought your particular situation was in need of a professional to guide you in the right direction?

Well you have come to the right place.

Let’s think here: Why would I need a case manager? What is a caseworker for anyway? How can they help me get out of the shit I am in?

In my opinion, Case managers are VERY helpful and actually needed if you have problems in your daily life. Most of us are use to rude, outspoken, talk-to-you-like-a- child caseworkers. So it is understandable to not want to deal with caseworkers with this type of attitude. But, let’s face it- Sometimes case managers are needed. So let’s suck it up and deal with them and curse about them once you leave.

Caseworkers can help you achieve a better quality of life, such as: helping you identify your needs, goals, and MOST important Resources. Now, do not just think you can walk into a place and ask for a case manager and everything is going to be O.K. and you’re going to receive so many FREE services and will not know what to do with them. It does not work like that! You will need to go through an approval process, which can take a couple of weeks to a couple of months depending upon what your caseworker has determined your needs are. Typically case managers are assigned to complex cases, such as: Medical, Mental Health, and Child Welfare caseworkers. There are also caseworkers that are called –Community Workers or Social Service Workers. Which are located at the family support division office (Welfare Office) and local non-profit agencies.

Let’s get down to the Nitty Gitty!

Point blank, almost everyone has used a caseworker sometime their life. It might have been because of food stamps, TANF/ Welfare benefits, or your Utility needed to be paid. I have spoken too many people looking for assistance or public aid. Some people being a shame for needing assistance from the government or a church. Some people knowing it like the back of their hand. Which in my opinion, they’re the ones that need to be a shame. But anyway….. When you are trying to get assistance, you should first start with the most commonplace. The welfare office (family support division) which would have access to grant some necessities like, food (Food Stamps), medical (Medicaid), or for my low-income mothers child care (child care subsidy).

Remember! Do not think you’re walking in and “gettin’ food, healthcare, someone to babysit your kid’s cause people it ain’t happenin’.” To receive these wonderful benefits you will have to be under a certain income guideline, which is determined by the current year poverty level. And people do not think your caseworker is determining if you are approved for assistance. It is determined by the government or state. Another thing, no one wants to hear about how you pay into the system all these years and then once you need help there is not anything for you. Please people stop the whining and get your head together and move on. Move on to getting down to business and finding a way to make it happen without the government/state to assist you. Pull it together and make it happen.

“We all have problems, but how are we going to do to fix them and move forward…pass it on.”

                                                                                                                        CeCe Carroll



If there are any questions about pertaining local services free to leave a comment or e-mail me at shebron21@yahoo.com. Also, if you feel my post is worth sharing pass it on and Google+1.



Agency Highlight

Department of Social Services


Family Support Division


Locate an office near you
(By going online to your city website)

First Edition

: This is blog is about you, my readers that are seeking government assistance or already receive public assistance and need help.

Merriam Webster dictionary defines "Public Assistance ":

.

Government aid to needy, aged, or disabled people and to dependent children

How many people fall under this category? Plenty! There are one out of six people receiving government assistance in America. In my opinion, there are plenty more, but do you know where to receive assistance? How many times a year or how many sources/places can you go to get help? Do you know how to qualify for help?

These are the questions I am asked every day and I am going to tell you how to get the needed help you deserve. I will also post advice regarding bettering your home situation, and not need the help of the government to get by. There is a terrible reputation on people who receive public assistance. Have you ever wondered why? The reason is that because when some people get help through the government, they tend to become dependent on those resources that should only be used temporally.

I would love to hear feedback from my readers. I will also answer questions that you may have regarding a certain topic or agency.

"I feel like I am getting closer to my path and this blog will lead the way."