Because you are in a panic, I'm going to give you the first number to call - 211 - this is the community services information line. Ask for where to go for help with emergency housing, low cost housing, help with deposits and rent. One or all of these will get you somewhere. If you are over 62 - and in many cases 55 - or disabled - or are a single parent with children - you can mention that - sometimes, there's something specific to that.
211 is NOT a caseworker or a therapist - they only provide a name of an agency, an address and phone number. It is up to you to check out the rest. If you have a computer, it's a good idea to check them out online. However, like all of us, agencies are often busy and their website may not be up to date. So make sure to call during business hours.
The County contracts with several agencies to assist people in crisis. The "welfare office" actually only deals with a few things and that's rarely housing - it's not their job so don't go down there and rage at them. It's foolish and rude. There ARE agencies out there whose job it IS to help - so use those ok?
First place to check out is the main one Santa Clara County contracts with - Housing Authority of Santa Clara County This gives information on most programs that are available including:
- Section 8 - rent subsidies for low income - Only takes new names for waiting list a few times a year. Waiting list is LONG - worth signing up if you can but it's going to take a few years. HOWEVER - there appears to be a new Section 8 program that is site specific - that is, you qualify by living at that site and meeting income guidelines - when you leave, you lose the subsidy (usually, you can take it with you). Best to just check with a caseworker - I sure don't understand it!
- Understand that many agencies have emergency assistance grants to either keep you from being homeless or help you get into an apartment/house. They can also refer to places. One of the big agencies for this is The Housing Trust. It's a public/private partnership that does all kinds of things with housing. Check out the home page - at the bottom, you'll find agencies that work with it and that can help you. Click on them to see what works for you.
- San Jose Affordable Properties - Check this list for pretty nice but affordable properties
- Property Management Inc This agency runs the low and moderate income apartments and housing for Santa Clara County. Some of the PMI programs include http://propmgmtinc.com/programs.html. That's just for perspective.
- YOU want to know about vacancies they might have right now - Names for Waiting Lists are taken for different complexes occasionally - here are the ones currently taking applications http://propmgmtinc.com/vacancies.html . You do have to go to each complex with an application. Do keep on top of this list. Also - notice the qualifications - that's the type of thing I was talking about - It is NOT always the same stuff - it all depends on way more than you're interested in right now - just know that.
- But wait! YOU want to know what is available at all RIGHT NOW! ---- Great news - Check out this site for Low Income, Senior, Disabled Rentals Available Right Now
- Note that each one has symbols - this may or may not mean that they only house that. If it says Seniors, it's likely just Seniors though. Check it out - call the manager. Even if they say "no", ask if they know of another place you can call for what you need.
- What if you don't want to use a public agency or apartment unit or there isn't one that will work for you? Yeah, I thought we'd get to this point. This is where you start into a treasure hunt. Don't rule out agencies. They are often great and know the community far better than you or I ever will. Ready?
- Catholic Charities Housing Advocacy Program OK kids put aside your childhood memories - Catholic Charities is non relgious based and has won major awards for excellence. They were one of the first to get into helping people with housing and know their stuff. It isn't just about dumping you in an apartment - they work with you as an actual person and help hook up with several of the many things that get involved when housing is out of control. They have many other great helps right there on site - I've always found their staff to be very very warm but professional. If there's something available, they'll know about it.
- Sacred Heart Community Service - Yeah yeah, I know - what's my trip with Catholics? Actually if you want help in a community, check out a Catholic organization or church - I say this as a Lutheran Preacher's Kid. That church has an amazing commitment to community. ANYWAY - Sacred Heart does help with referrals AND can help with deposits, energy assistance....yeah, cool, right? They have some limits on zip codes but if you ask, am sure they can refer you to the right place. Would also bet they have places in their own private list but then that's just me.
- Housing and Urban Development Subsidized Apartments in Santa Clara These are apartments that were built with the developers getting money for making the commitment to keep them affordable or low cost.
- Eden Housing --- I love this group - They've been around doing good things for regular people for a long time now. You can rely on them - Not only have they developed reasonable priced, high quality housing all over the Bay Area but they often have some programs e.g. daycare attached. Well worth checking out
- City of Santa Clara Housing Programs - This is a site well worth checking out. There are apartments that are not on the MidPeninsula Program - these were developed by Santa Clara itself. Plus, if you look at the site, you'll see that they offer assistance in housing placement and in emergency $$$. Santa Clara is an awesome city - one of those who really works for and with people. Enjoy
- Rent Savers- I don't know where they get them but the prices on the listings are really good. Well worth checking out. It's a commercial site but has great listings.
- CraigsList - What would we do without CraigsList? There are a few ways to make use of this wonder of wonders in a search for affordable housing
- The first is obvious with a tweak or two - Put in "1" bedroom and then put in your desired high. See what happens. Rather than only staying with the South Bay, go for the entire SF Bay Area - it's amazing how often properties are listed in the wrong area.
- Another trick is to go under "for sale" and search for "rent" - Many people are now listing rentals under the property for sale section or in other sections altogether.
- Consider sharing an apartment or house. Yeah I know - if you've lived on your own, there's a crowd factor - but sometimes you do what you have to do for just awhile - face it, you can put up with anything for a month or two while getting your $$$ or ultimate location together
- Many times, people just want commuter rooms or space - they don't want to drive from Sacto every day - so just need a place to sleep in the week. Not a bad deal and they usually pay well. Rent a 3 bedroom and rent out the 3rd bedroom to help make rent
- Speaking of 1 v 3 bedrooms - The big leaps come between 1 and 2. 3 doesn't make all that much difference and can be handy for things like a roommate to help with rent.
- Garage - as homeowners we all love garages. As renters, they're great if you can get 'em - but not worth paying too much for - Storage units are usually far cheaper than a garage.
- Check out Sublet section ----- it sometimes can be surprising.
- Do a search on Housesit - be sure to go for something longer
- Older people often want roommates who will just be there - or perhaps do cooking and errands. It's not a bad way to live and you save mega bucks.
- SENIOR SUBSIDIZED HOUSING - This is its own post really but for the moment want to include it. The best way to do that is just to refer you to the Santa Clara County Council on Aging. Among the many many things that they do is to provide referrals to community places that are for older people. Older is usually defined as 55+ They can actually sit with you and come up with plans for almost anything ----- but one of those is senior housing. Here is a link to their resource directory - There are a million things in it (LOVE IT) but among them is housing for seniors. These developments are usually way below market rate - Around $855 for 1 BR for example. Have to be above 55 and meet income guidelines but well worth checking out. http://www.coasiliconvalley.com/site/ord
More later!
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