Being Able To Find Affordable Housing Should Not Be a Fairy Tale
We Make It A Reality
Have you ever had to hunt for a rental apartment or house you could afford? It is hard even with a good job, or both adults working. Imagine what it is like for a single parent with children, or a senior on a very fixed income? Ever needed to check to make sure the stove really worked after your last experience in a run down awful apartment? It is worse when pennies literally make a difference if you can pay rent, let alone feed your family that month.
The cost of living is a very serious issue for many American families, and to find affordable housing is increasingly difficult. Coupled with no availability are rules, rules, and more rules. Any small thing, any hiccup in life, can exclude you from even being allowed to apply, or they will let you apply, pay a hefty fee, then tell you they don’t take people like you, or with your credit history, or your “file”.
Renter’s Assistance in Most Places Involves Becoming a Number.
At Old Glory You Are a Person
At Old Glory we believe strongly in the dignity of people. We know each and every person, regardless of what life has thrown at them, should be given an equal, fair chance at being able to live in a decent home in a safe neighborhood.
We believe that sometimes second chances are an absolute must for some people. We also know the great feeling from seeing the immense relief on a mom or dad’s face when they know they finally have a safe place for their kids to lay their heads down at night.
Simple things like light fixtures that work, heat that stays on and actually keeps a house warm and comfy, and not having to put furniture up against the door at night to supplement the locks.
People deserve good, safe places to live. Period.
Senior Housing, HUD, and Section 8 Are Tough
If you are able to qualify for government assisted low income housing programs, such as senior or over 55+ living, HUD housing, etc., you already know that nearly every type of place out there is apartment living with the barest of necessities.
The application process is tedious, long, and sometimes overbearing. It often does not seem fair and equal in many ways. There are strict rules to be met. Many times you have social workers or others literally breathing down your neck, or are not there at all.
Applying for renter’s assistance is simply not fun, undignified, and sadly, usually not effective. This is why we are seeing especially more and more seniors and vets on the street, as well as families with children.
In the private and non-profit sector, there are a few programs such as Habitat for Humanity ® that, while terrific programs, require a substantial amount and time of sweat equity go into the home you get built for you, or remodeled. You also have to have clean records and explainable credit history. Many times people are unable to do the amount of labor required, or take the time off work.
Many times they simply do not have the time to wait (and wade) through the tedious application and approval process before even thinking about the months to years it takes to get the house constructed. This is especially true for the disabled, veterans, and single parents. A day off work means way less paycheck, or even being let go from a job.
What if we told you long lines and waiting periods for government programs or private ventures, no matter how good the program, could be avoided?
Too Often Renters Assistance Programs Are Traps
Sadly there is another rental assistance program version for low income and second chance renters making the rounds, and it is not anything any of us wants to see our fellow humans have to contend with or be taken advantage by. Some companies are simply rental sharks, offering “second chance” rentals with exorbitant offers, fees, down payments, or loose-lipped promises. For a fee they can fix your old eviction or other pie in the sky offers.
At Old Glory we do business the old fashioned way, with hard, honest work. We find houses that need TLC, and renters that need someone to treat them with dignity. We fix the houses, and rent at a fair, affordable price to people in need. We do not poke, prod, or judge. We know life throws curve balls and sometimes you just need some help fielding them.
Please, before you consider finding “affordable housing” through one of them, call us or send in our contact form. We offer truly affordable housing. No gimmicks. No hidden fees. No guessing games. Just a nice house in a good neighborhood for a decent, fair, affordable price.
We have been helping people get into decent homes for over a decade. We went non-profit so we can help a lot more people through partnerships. We believe everyone should be given a fair shot and a second chance when necessary.
At Old Glory, helping people find affordable housing, whether they are a senior, someone with health issues, or a family trying to stay off the street, is the right thing to do. We transform lives, one house at a time.
Have a Question? Reach out now for help from our team
Support Mercy Housing in our mission to create stable, vibrant and healthy communities by providing affordable, service-enriched housing. Your donation is essential to supporting individuals as they work to build long-term change in their lives and in their communities
