Everything You Need, In One Place
Affordable housing touches everything — income, health, employment, legal rights. We've organized resources by topic so you can find what's relevant to your situation.
Tools
Fair Market Rent & Income Limits Lookup
Look up U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Fair Market Rents and income limits for your area. See what housing programs cover and whether you qualify.
Use the ToolCompare Housing Programs
Compare Section 8, public housing, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), HUD-VASH (Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing), and other programs side by side — eligibility, wait times, rent calculation, and pros and cons.
Compare ProgramsMonthly Budget Calculator
A simple budget tool built for people in affordable housing. Factor in the 30% income rule, utility allowances, and see where your money goes.
Calculate Your BudgetBenefits Interaction Calculator
See how Section 8, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, and other benefits affect each other — and watch for benefits cliffs as your income changes.
Check Your BenefitsInteractive Letter Generator
Fill in a form and get a ready-to-send letter — repair requests, accommodation requests, deposit demands, and appeal letters.
Generate a LetterEligibility Screener
Answer a few questions about your household and situation, and see which federal housing programs you may qualify for.
Check EligibilityKnow Your Numbers Dashboard
Enter your income and household size to see your estimated Section 8 rent, income category, program eligibility, and monthly budget — all in one place.
See Your NumbersSection 8 Waiting List Tracker
Find open Section 8 waiting lists by state. See Public Housing Authority (PHA) contact info, estimated wait times, and tips for getting on the list faster.
Find Open ListsLetter Templates
Ready-to-use letter templates for common housing situations. Copy, customize, and send.
Letter Templates
Reasonable accommodation requests, repair demand letters, security deposit demands, housing denial appeals, and more — ready to customize and send.
Browse TemplatesResources by State
Tenant rights, eviction timelines, security deposit laws, and legal aid — all specific to your state.
State-by-State Housing Resources
Every state has different tenant protections, eviction rules, and housing agencies. Find source of income protections, security deposit limits, legal aid, and more for your state.
Find Your StateBrowse by Topic
Housing Programs
Section 8, HUD-VASH, LIHTC, public housing, and other programs that make housing affordable. Guides for applying, understanding eligibility, and navigating waiting lists.
Explore Housing ProgramsBenefits & Financial Support
SSI, SSDI, SNAP, Medicaid, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) — understanding what you qualify for, how to apply, and how benefits work together with housing assistance.
Explore BenefitsEmployment & Job Training
Job centers, training programs, the Family Self-Sufficiency program, and how earning income works with housing subsidies.
Explore EmploymentMental Health & Housing
Treatment resources, crisis support, housing protections for people with mental health conditions, and programs designed to help.
Explore Mental HealthSubstance Use & Recovery
Recovery housing options, legal protections for people in recovery, treatment resources, and how to find housing that supports your sobriety.
Explore Recovery ResourcesKnow Your Rights
Tenant protections, fair housing laws, lease basics, discrimination complaints, and what your landlord can't do.
Explore Your RightsEmergency & Crisis Housing
Need help now? Emergency shelters, rapid rehousing, emergency vouchers, and crisis hotlines.
Get Help NowFamilies with Children
Family housing programs, your children's education rights under McKinney-Vento, and support services.
Explore Family ResourcesStep-by-Step Guides
How to Apply for Section 8
A complete walkthrough from finding open waiting lists to securing your voucher.
Read the GuideFind Your Local PHA
How to find and contact your Public Housing Authority — and what to ask when you call.
Read the GuideFind LIHTC (Tax Credit) Apartments
Affordable apartments that don't require a voucher — what LIHTC is and how to find them.
Read the GuideHow to Apply for HUD-VASH
The process for veterans to access HUD-VASH through your VA Medical Center.
Read the GuideHow to Apply for SSI or SSDI
Disability benefits explained — who qualifies, how to apply, and what to do if denied.
Read the GuideFamily Self-Sufficiency (FSS)
Build savings while on Section 8 — the FSS escrow program that pays you to increase your income.
Read the GuideDocument Checklist
Every document you need for housing applications. Don't get rejected for missing paperwork.
View ChecklistAppeal a Housing Denial
Common reasons for denial, your right to a hearing, and how to prepare your case.
Know Your RightsTransfer Your Voucher (Portability)
How to move your Housing Choice Voucher to a different area.
Read the GuideHandle Your Annual Recertification
What to expect, what to bring, and how to keep your voucher in good standing.
Read the GuideRequest a Reasonable Accommodation
Your right to changes in housing rules or physical space due to a disability.
Know Your RightsFile a Discrimination Complaint
How to document discrimination and file with HUD or your local agency.
File a ComplaintFind Recovery Housing
Types of recovery housing, how to find quality programs, and your legal protections.
Read the GuideSource of Income Protections
Which states and cities make it illegal for landlords to reject you because you use a housing voucher.
Check Your StateCriminal Records & Housing
What landlords can and can't hold against you, HUD guidance on criminal history, and how to present your case.
Read the GuideWaiting List Strategies
How to apply to multiple PHAs, find open lists, use preference points, and improve your chances.
Read the GuideHow to Apply for SNAP (Food Stamps)
Who qualifies, how to apply, expedited benefits, and how SNAP works with housing programs.
Read the GuideHow to Apply for Medicaid
Free and low-cost health coverage — eligibility, how to apply, and why it matters for housing stability.
Read the GuideBudgeting When Money Is Tight
Practical budgeting for people with very little income — priorities, tools, and benefits you might be missing.
Read the GuideGetting Out of Debt
Managing medical bills, collections, student loans, and utility arrears when income is limited.
Read the GuideRenting with Poor Rental History
Past evictions, broken leases, or bad references don't have to keep you from housing. Here's how to move forward.
Read the GuideUnderstanding Landlord Notices
Comply or vacate, pay or vacate, lease violations — what each notice means and how to respond.
Read the GuideWhat to Do When You Lose Your Job
Immediate steps — unemployment benefits, health coverage, rent help, and getting back on your feet.
Read the GuideHow to Prevent Foreclosure
HUD counselors, loan modification, forbearance, and what to do at every stage of the process.
Read the GuideHome Repair Assistance
Can't afford to maintain your home? Federal grants, nonprofit programs, and what to do if your home is condemned.
Read the GuideVA Benefits for Veterans
VA disability compensation, pension, healthcare, and Aid & Attendance — what you may qualify for and how to apply.
Read the Guide5 Programs Beyond Section 8
HUD-VASH, Section 811, SSVF, Section 202, LIHTC — programs that could be a better fit.
Explore ProgramsFound an Open Waiting List — Now What?
Step-by-step guide for when a waiting list opens — what to do fast, what documents you need, and common mistakes.
Read the GuideWhat to Expect at Your Housing Inspection
How HQS inspections work, what inspectors look for, and how to prepare your unit to pass.
Read the GuideHow Recertification Works
Annual and interim recertifications — when they happen, what you need, and how to report income changes.
Read the GuideHow Benefits Interact
How housing assistance, SSI, SNAP, and Medicaid work together — and what happens when one benefit changes.
Read the GuideHow to Talk to Your PHA
Tips for calling or visiting your Public Housing Authority — what to ask, what to bring, and how to get results.
Read the GuideHow Your Rent Is Calculated in Section 8
The 30% adjusted income formula, deductions, utility allowances, and what happens when your income changes — with real number examples.
Read the GuideFind a HUD-Approved Housing Counselor
Free counseling for applications, budgeting, credit repair, and foreclosure prevention. How to find one and what to expect.
Read the GuideShared Housing & Roommate Strategies
Co-tenants on a voucher, live-in aides, senior house-sharing programs, and how the PHA calculates bedroom size.
Read the GuideCriminal Record Expungement & Housing
How to get records sealed or expunged, what landlords can see, HUD's 2016 guidance, and how to present your case.
Read the GuideUtility Assistance Programs (LIHEAP & Beyond)
LIHEAP, weatherization, utility company hardship programs, and how utility allowances interact with Section 8.
Read the GuideHousing Options During & After Divorce
How divorce affects your voucher, lease bifurcation, income recalculation, and emergency housing options.
Read the GuideReference
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions about affordable housing, vouchers, applications, your rights, and more.
Browse FAQsHousing Terms & Acronyms
A plain-language glossary of 50+ housing terms, acronyms, and jargon you'll encounter.
View GlossaryCommunity Q&A
Real questions from people navigating the housing system — with clear, practical answers. Browse by topic.
Browse Q&APrintable Resources
Print-friendly versions of our most popular guides — designed for case managers, social workers, and anyone who needs a hard copy.
View Printable GuidesDownloadable PDF Checklists
Print-ready PDF checklists for housing applications, inspections, recertification, waiting lists, and tenant rights. Share with clients.
Download PDFsFor Case Managers & Professionals
Quick-reference tools, downloadable handouts, and client-ready resources — organized for housing navigators and social workers.
View Professional ResourcesRecursos en Español
Guías y recursos sobre vivienda asequible, derechos del inquilino y programas de asistencia — disponibles en español.
Ver en EspañolResources by Situation
Some programs and protections are designed for specific groups. If one of these applies to you, start here.
Veterans
HUD-VASH vouchers, SSVF rapid rehousing, GPD transitional housing, and VA supportive services.
View ResourcesPeople with Disabilities
Section 811, reasonable accommodations, accessible housing, and disability rights protections.
View ResourcesSeniors
Section 202 housing, aging-in-place support, Area Agencies on Aging, and property tax relief.
View ResourcesSurvivors of Domestic Violence
VAWA protections, emergency transfers, lease bifurcation, FUP vouchers, and confidential housing.
View Resources