<p><strong><span style="font-size: 20px;"><em></em><em>Know the basics to protect your home and family</em></span></strong></p><p><em><strong><br></strong></em></p><p><em><strong><br></strong></em></p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BBq3_APnmbk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><p><em><strong><br></strong></em></p><p>Eviction is a scary situation. Having at least some basic knowledge of your rights and the process can help ease that fear and let you know your options. Eviction law does differ from state to state, so it is best if you get in contact with a tenants’ rights group familiar with the law in your particular state/town—but here are the basics.</p><p><strong>What is an eviction?</strong></p><p>An eviction is a legal process where a landlord attempts to force a tenant to move out. There are several different types of notices that a landlord can serve. Your landlord may personally deliver the notice to you—it does not need to be served by a sheriff or notarized. The landlord may serve the notice to an appropriate person in your household or post the notice on your door as long as it is also mailed.</p><p><strong>How many days do I have to pay my landlord?</strong></p><p>Usually there is a three-day pay or vacate notice. This means that if you do not pay your landlord the rent in three days, he can proceed with the eviction process. It does <em>not</em> mean you have to be out in three days. If you wish to avoid the eviction process, either pay your full rent or vacate within three days. Avoid paying in cash, if possible. If not possible, then be sure to get a receipt. Avoid drop boxes for rent as well, as sometimes the landlord may not get the rent in a timely manner.</p><p><strong>What if I can only make a partial payment?</strong></p><p>A landlord does not have to accept partial payment for rent during the three-day time frame. If he does accept a partial payment, make sure to have clear documentation. In some states, this may invalidate the eviction process.</p><p><strong>But I have small children—how can they evict me?</strong></p><p>Unfortunately there is no exception in the law for Solo Moms with small children, people who have just lost their jobs, etc. You also cannot withhold rent for unmade repairs or complaints against the landlord.</p><p><strong>What if I don’t move or pay my rent?</strong></p><p>The landlord will have you served, by the sheriff or a process server, with a “Summons and Complaint.” If you do not respond to this paper, you will lose the eviction. You typically have a week to write a response to the court. Read the summons carefully, and follow all directions. If you are having difficulty understanding it, call the court for clarification. Once the court receives your response, they will file for a court date. You will receive notice of the court date. </p><p>Eviction is a serious matter and losing an eviction case can hamper your chances of obtaining housing in the future. Rent should always be the first priority when paying bills. If you still find yourself in this situation, act quickly, and document all steps along the way. Laws vary from state to state, so if you are served with an eviction notice, your best bet is to contact legal aid in your city.</p><hr><p><span style="font-size: 11px;">Image via Shutterstock.com</span><br></p>
<p><strong><em>The harsh facts of minimum wage and rental prices across America</em></strong></p><p>According to the Pew Research Center, 30% of America’s workforce earns a near-minimum-wage salary—many of them Solo Moms. Good housing can be extremely difficult to find for a person earning minimum or close to minimum wage. So how do you make ends meet?</p><p><strong>Tight rental market</strong></p><p>According to a new report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, the growing demand for rentals has made the rental market very competitive. Fewer people can afford to buy houses, so rentals become scarce. This tightening rental market has a major impact on low-income renters. According to Kate Brown, governor of Oregon, one out of four households in her state spends more than half its income on housing costs. In 2013, for every 100 extremely low income renter households, there were only 31 affordable and available rental units.</p><p><strong>Nationwide crisis</strong></p><p>Although some states fare better than others, in no city in the United States can a minimum-wage worker work less than 50 hours per week and still afford a two-bedroom apartment. The most expensive rentals are in Virginia; California; New York; and Washington, DC. On average, an American worker needs to earn $19.35 per hour to afford rent for a two-bedroom apartment. And the wage requirement is even higher in the aforementioned states. <a href="http://www.citylab.com/housing/2015/05/mapping-the-hourly-wage-needed-to-rent-a-2-bedroom-apartment-in-every-us-state/394142/?utm_source=atlanticFB" target="_blank">This map from a recent study</a> shows just how difficult it can be.</p><p><strong>Solutions? Help?</strong></p><p>Well, now that we know there’s a problem—what’s the solution? Raising the minimum wage may help, and expanding affordable housing would certainly help. But those solutions take time, and I’m sure that some of you have this difficulty now. What are you doing to ease the burden of expensive rentals? How do <em>you</em> do it? Let me know! Let’s help one another now.</p><hr><p><span style="font-size: 11px;">Image via Shutterstock.com</span></p>
<p><em><strong></strong></em><em><strong>Where to start if you are a newly <a href="https://esme.com/voices/perspectives/whats-a-solo-mom" target="_blank" class="wordlink">Solo Mom</a></strong></em></p><p>In recent years, the lack of affordable and accessible housing in the United States has been acute and well documented. An estimated 12 million renters and homeowners pay more than 50% of their income for housing. If you find yourself struggling to make your rent or mortgage, there are a few places you can turn to for help.</p><p><a href="http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/topics/rental_assistance" target="_blank"><strong>U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development</strong></a></p><p>There are many programs available to help you with renting. This site has links to subsidized housing, public housing, and the Housing Choice Voucher program. All programs are designed to get you and your family into housing that you can afford.</p><p><a href="http://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org" target="_blank"><strong>Homeless Shelter Directory</strong></a></p><p>The Homeless Shelter Directory provides listings of homeless shelters and organizations with services for the homeless. It also offers links to other helpful sites. </p><p><a href="http://www.publichousing.com" target="_blank"><strong>The Affordable Housing Network</strong></a></p><p>The Affordable Housing Network lists apartment and home rental deals for all renters (not just public housing). It is easily searchable by state or zip code, and the site is updated daily. The site publishes direct contact information, so you aren’t dealing with an agent or middleman. It also offers housing assistance, including rent assistance, foreclosure assistance, and assistance with down payments.</p><p><a href="http://www.rentassistance.us" target="_blank"><strong>Rental Assistance</strong></a></p><p>This website provides listings of rental assistance resources to help you with your long-term and immediate rental needs. The site list both nonprofit rental-assistance organizations and government programs.</p><p>You should also contact your state or local department of social services and explain your situation. Such departments often have programs that can assist with housing, or they may be able to let you know about local nonprofits that can help. </p><hr><p><span style="font-size: 12px;">Photo credit Shutterstock.com</span><br></p>
<p><strong><em>How your local public housing agency can help</em></strong></p><br><p>Finding affordable and safe housing for Solo Moms with very low incomes can be a challenge. There is public and subsidized housing. But there is another program that helps single moms find housing: the Housing Choice Voucher, known as Section 8.</p><p><strong>What is Section 8 housing?</strong></p><p>Section 8 housing is a federal program that assists low-income families in affording a place to live. Unlike subsidized housing or public housing, tenants are free to choose any housing they prefer with Section 8 housing. The only stipulation is the landlord has to agree to rent under the program. If approved, the housing voucher is paid directly to the landlord. The family is responsible only for the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the voucher amount. For instance, if my landlord charges $650 for rent and my housing voucher is $400, I would have to cover only the $250 difference between the two. In some instances, Section 8 housing can also be used to purchase a home. </p><p><strong>How to start</strong></p><p>The first thing you need to do is contact your local <a href="http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/public_indian_housing/pha/contacts" target="_blank">public housing agency (PHA)</a>. You’ll need to fill out an application that asks for your family’s income and assets, how many people are in your family, etc. Once it is completed, the PHA will verify all your information and determine your eligibility.</p><p><strong>Eligibility</strong></p><p>Eligibility for Section 8 housing is based on median income levels and will vary depending on where you live. As a general guideline, a family’s income cannot exceed 50% of the median income for the county or city of residence. For example, if I live in a county where the average family makes $30,000, my income cannot be higher than $15,000 in order to qualify. Income requirements can vary greatly depending on location, so your PHA can provide you with the income limits for your area and family size.</p><p><strong>Waiting lists</strong></p><p>This is a popular program, so waiting lists are common. PHAs may give preference to families that are homeless or living in a shelter, those paying more than 50% of their income for rent, or families that have been involuntarily displaced. Each PHA has the discretion to establish its own policies and procedures that reflect the housing needs in your community. </p><p><strong>Takeaways</strong></p><ul><li>Section 8 housing is a federal program designed to allow low-income families to choose their own housing. </li><li>It can be a good alternative to subsidized and public housing because families can choose the housing type. Landlords can elect to accept Section 8 housing vouchers.</li><li>It is a popular program, and guidelines and rules are determined by each community’s PHA.</li></ul><hr><p><span style="font-size: 11px;">Photo credit: Shutterstock.com</span></p>