Cuts to housing programs that have been called “apocalyptic,” continued pressure from federal lawmakers targeting social services and massive inflation have squeezed many Americans to the brink.
If you are worrying about staying in your home, check out our list of resources below for federal or state programs that will help you keep your living situation stable.
Learn your options
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development keeps a list of housing counselors by state or city. Making a call to one of them can help you get enrolled in programs that can relieve your mortgage or rental pressure and negotiated with lenders or landlords on your behalf.
You can find a list of those counselors here and then search by your state.
Avoiding homelessness or becoming housed
If you live in an area that has seen increasingly higher rents or have a major life event like a job loss, facing homelessness is a terrifying. If you are already unhoused, it may seem like you are getting very little local or state help to get you back into a home.
If you are dealing with either situation, or worrying you may be, you can immediately dial 2-1-1 to be connected with homeless crisis services.
You can find even more resources here to help you with your housing needs or questions.
Rebuilding after a disaster
Many of our Postindustrial cities have experienced natural disasters over the last several years. If you are feeling overwhelmed by where to start and how to rebuild, HUD also offers a central site to help you keep your housing or find temporary housing.
You can register here for both their services and anything related to it offered by the federal government, including disaster relief.
Know your rights
It is traumatic to be dealing with a possible eviction or not having enough money to pay the bills. But make sure you know your rights before you allow yourself to be evicted.
There are many state and federal resources to help you stay in your home and advocate on your behalf with your landlord and city.
Some of these include:
The Eviction Protection Grant Program
The Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Organizations like LawHelp.org or the American Bar Association that will connect you with free legal help.
Fore more information on what to do if you are possibly facing eviction, check out this article on what steps you can take to stay in your home.
From all of us here at Postindustrial, stay safe and stay housed.
