For many of us, extended unemployment is eating away at our savings. Often, we are already behind on our rent or monthly payments, and we’re just a step away from eviction or foreclosure. This is where the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing program under the $787-billion economic stimulus package comes in. The program extends funding to local government offices, to assist low-income families or the unemployed in meeting their monthly payments, so that they can stay in their homes.
Fear and embarrassment
What prevents many of us from seeking out low-income or unemployment assistance is directly tied in to the fact that in the past, they didn’t have to. But as salaries dipped or disappeared, and savings taking the brunt of the first few months of difficulty, the well has dried up, so to speak. But now we have to face the reality that things are not as they were before. It’s time to use the option of government assistance, if we want to keep ourselves under a roof, to weather out the bad times to better days.
How to apply
Although you can’t directly apply for assistance with the program, you can inquire at your local government offices that are connected with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), for more details on what the local guidelines are. If you qualify, chances are, they are also the same agencies you will have to talk to. Also, there are non-government, non-profit organizations that are given funding for rent assistance. It would be good to inquire and see what their programs are, as well.
Sign up on the box at the right for more information and options about rent and unemployment assistance.
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