Your Housing Plan

Step One

• Sleeping room
• Efficiency Studio/Apartment
• Sharing an apartment with others
• Sublet an apartment as a short-term option
• Renting an apartment or house of your own
• Staying in a shelter temporarily
• A Housing Program
• A live-in job that pays room and board
• Doubling up with family/friends temporarily
• Homeownership

Step Two

• Does your income support your choice? (Rent/mortgage/utilities should be ≤ 30% of income).
• How much do you have saved for deposit and first month's rent?
• Do you have a negative rental or credit history?
• Have you tried to improve your credit history via a repayment plan?
• How much living space do you want or need?
• Location needs: work, schools, shopping, or public transportation?
• Does the home need to be wheelchair accessible?
• Is your 1st choice realistic? If not, work toward it via a 2nd choice.

Step Three

• Social Security Card & Proof of Income
• List of past rental/landlord addresses and dates
• Personal reference names and addresses
• Driver’s license, state or Human Services ID
• Other important papers (Birth Certificate)
• Current expenses (to help determine affordability)

Obtain Your Own Rental & Credit Reports

• Find out what’s listed and what it will cost to turn on utilities.
• Prepare how to respond to negative rental or credit history.
• Prepare to share past conviction history and positive life changes.
• Make copies of reports to share when applying.