POOR MIDDLE CLASS AFFORDABLE HOUSING

 

Affordable Housing
Poor Middle Class Affordable Housing is hard to find. But it is a top financial survival toolkit priority. Without it, poor middle class people can fall into the following crises:
• unable to pay bills
• end up in debt
• go hungry nutritionally by eat mostly cheap, unhealthy food
• become homeless
• unable to get proper medical care
• suffer from all of the above

What Is Affordable Housing?
According to Wikipedia, affordable housing is:
affordable housing
The Definition of Affordable Housing According To Wikipedia.com

Finding Affordable Housing
Our search for poor middle class affordable housing was a nightmare. In fact, it was the hardest part of our financial survival journey. This is because of the following aspects of it:
• the amount of paperwork involved
• a time-consuming application process
• the bureaucratic qualification procedure
• pressure due to our tight deadline

poor middle class affordable housing available by lottery or application
Affordable Housing Available by Lottery and Application from http://www.nyshcr.org/

What Is Subsidized Housing?
According to Wikipedia, subsidized housing is:
• a government sponsored system of economic assistance programs
• designed to alleviate housing costs and expenses
• meant for people in need
• designed for low to moderate income families, seniors and the disabled
• often called, ‘affordable housing’ in the United States

According to Wikipedia, subsidized housing is:

affordable housing
A definition of Subsidized Housing according to Wikipedia

Subsidized Housing Programs
There are several forms of subsidies:
• direct housing subsidies
• non-profit housing
• public housing
• rent supplements
• some forms of co-operative and private sector housing

affordable housing
Section 8 Housing In The South Bronx from Wikipedia.com. Photo by Jim.Henderson

Those who qualify to apply for subsidized housing must be:
• Families in financial need
• Seniors aged 55 and above
• Disabled people over a certain age

There are two types of management, either government or privately run.

What is Senior Housing?
Senior housing is housing available to independent seniors, aged 55 and older. It is usually subsidized. As a result, it is more affordable than market value housing.
affordable housing
Independent Senior Living Defined by Wikipedia.com

Seeking Senior Housing
There is a huge amount of research and paperwork involved in applying for senior housing. In fact, it is the worst part of the process for us. Each housing project requires its own application. Because of this, I was very overwhelmed. Just the thought of it stopped me from applying originally. But eventually, relocation became an emergency. We were hard pressed to find an affordable place to live. Because municipal senior housing units had several years waiting lists, we did not know what to do. We were on the verge of homelessness.

Here is our strong recommendation. Don’t let this happen to you. Apply for senior housing years before you think you may need it.

Poor Middle Class Affordable Housing
Affordable Senior Housing Becomes Scarce As Boomers Age from SocialSolutions.com

Fortunately, a private senior facility had a vacant unit. Much to our relief, we were accepted within two weeks. But there was one drawback. The only units available were studio apartments. In spite of the size, we grabbed one. As a result, we were set up in our new home within a few weeks. After that, it took another two and a half years to get a one bedroom apartment. When that happened, we felt like we had moved into a palace. In the summertime, we see nothing but tree. It feels like we live in a tree house. It is like heaven.

section 8 is considered affordable housing
Housing Choice Voucher Program, Section 8 Housing from HUD.gov

Section 8 Housing Vouchers
Large apartments buildings and multi-family homes accept Section 8 Housing Vouchers. According to Wikipedia:
poor middle class affodable housing
Section 8 Housing According to Wikipedia

A New Home
Our subsidized apartment is modest. There is no dishwasher. In addition to that, there is no terrace or yard for growing food. There is nowhere to make a compost heap for food garbage. But best of all, having a roof over our heads is a blessing. In addition, we have made a home here. There is a saying, ‘home is where the heart is’.

The next post, Alternative Living Resources begins exploring unique housing opportunities.

affordable housing
‘Home Is Where The Heart Is’ Amish Quilt

 

 

 

Sources & Resources
Viper Tool Storage Company

Subsidized Housing

Affordable Housing

Latest Affordable Housing in NYC Thanks to Mayor di Blasio

Section 8 Housing Voucher Program

Affordable rental units

Affordable Housing

Deal Aims to Keep a Former Welfare Hotel in Manhattan Affordable

Housing Search in NYS

Section 8 Housing Voucher Program

What Is Independent Senior Living?

Affordable Senior Housing Becomes Scarce As Boomers Age

10 Places to Retire and Pay Less Taxes
Senior Living Guide

‘Home Is Where The Heart Is’, Amish Quilt

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POOR MIDDLE CLASS HOUSING ALTERNATIVES

 

Poor Middle Class Housing Alternatives
This is a continuation of the last post, The Poor Middle Class Housing Crisis. In this post, poor middle-class housing alternatives are presented. This can involve some ‘out of the box thinking’ solutions. These tools can include:
1. Downsize possessions
2. Buy or rent a smaller home
3. Rent subsidized or senior housing
4. Find Ways To Live Rent Free
5. Invest In A Tiny House
6. Relocate to a cheaper area, state or country
7. Live off the grid
8. Embrace an RV Lifestyle

housing alternatives
Self Storage in America from Slate article by Tom Vanderbilt

Downsizing
Have you ever noticed how many storage facilities there are? This has become a booming industry. We have too much stuff and we don’t know how to part with it. So we rent space to horde it. My rule of thumb is this. If you feel the need to rent a storage space for your overflow of belongings, don’t. Downsize instead.
1. Donate possessions to the Salvation Army or other charity
2. Give things to your children or someone you know who wants and needs them
3. Have a garage sale
4. Sell things online
5. Buy or rent to a smaller, less expensive residence

Buy Or Rent A Smaller Home
It is much easier to go bigger than smaller. But for the poor middle class, the latter may be a necessity. It may be difficult emotionally to let go of a treasured home. But would you rather be in debt in a home you adore or be solvent in a house you can afford? For those in crisis as part of the poor middle class in the US, when it comes to housing selling and downsizing may be the only way to go. Even for those not in crisis, more modest living can open more doors than it closes, financially.

housing alternatives
Large House for Sale from USA Today

Subsidized Housing
I have found this to be the most challenging, time-consuming and confusing of all the tools for the poor middle-class financial survival toolkit. Because of this, I feel that an entire blog post needs to be dedicated to this issue. In addition, the other tools will also be on an additional post. ‘Out of the box,’ alternative housing is for the poor middle class of all ages, not only seniors.
1. Live Rent Free
2. Invest in a Tiny House
3. Relocate to another area, cheaper state or another country
4. Live Off The Grid

This housing discussion continues with the post, Affordable Housing.

 

 

 

Sources and Resources
Self-Storage Nation

The Viper Tool Storage Company

3 money smart reasons to donwsize

Home Downsizing 101

The Upside of Downsizing Your Home

California Billionaire Proposes Housing The Homeless In Shipping Containers

International Living

How to Downsize Forma Full-Time RV Lifestyle

Continue Reading