Housing Assistance for Newcomers to the United States

Finding safe, stable housing is one of the most important needs for people beginning a new life in the United States.

In addition to government housing programs, many states, local governments, and nonprofit organizations provide services to individuals and families experiencing housing difficulties.

Depending on the program, assistance may be available to low-income families, people at risk of losing their housing, people experiencing homelessness, older adults, people with disabilities, and other populations with specific needs.

Photo: Ketut Subiyanto/Pexels

Common Types of Housing Assistance

Depending on each program’s rules and a person’s or family’s circumstances, assistance may include:

  • housing counseling;
  • rental assistance;
  • affordable rental housing;
  • temporary housing or emergency shelter;
  • help with a security deposit or certain upfront rental costs;
  • help understanding tenants’ rights and responsibilities;
  • emergency support when housing loss is imminent;
  • homebuying assistance for eligible applicants; and
  • services that help families regain stability after a housing crisis.

Not every program is available in every community, and some programs may have lengthy waiting lists.

Housing Choice Voucher Program—Section 8

One of the best-known housing assistance programs in the United States is the Housing Choice Voucher Program, commonly referred to as “Section 8 housing,” “subsidized housing,” or a “rental assistance program.”

The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and is generally administered through local Public Housing Agencies (PHAs).

The local PHA determines the subsidy based on household income, household size, rent, and the local payment standard.

Households generally pay about 30% of their adjusted monthly income toward rent and related utilities. The actual amount may be higher, however, depending on the rent, the payment standard, and program rules. In some cases, a household’s initial share may be as high as 40% of adjusted monthly income. The PHA usually pays the subsidy directly to the landlord.

Receiving a voucher does not mean that housing will be provided immediately. Voucher holders must find a home that meets program standards and a landlord who agrees to participate.

Many programs accept applications only during limited periods. In addition, demand in many areas significantly exceeds available assistance, so waiting lists may be long.

If you are interested in Section 8, identify the PHA serving the area where you want to live and contact it directly to check the status of its waiting list.

Public Housing

In addition to Housing Choice Vouchers, some low-income families may qualify for public housing.

Public housing programs are generally administered by local public housing agencies and have their own income and eligibility requirements. Eligible groups may include older adults and people with disabilities.

Unlike Section 8, public housing is owned or managed by a PHA under the Public Housing program. Tenants are considered for placement in available units, subject to program rules and vacancies.

As with Section 8, demand for public housing is high in many communities, and waiting lists may apply.

Affordable Housing

Affordable housing is a broad term that may include both rental homes and homes for sale at costs that are within a household’s financial means.

Affordable Rental Housing

Many state and local governments support the development of affordable rental properties for households that meet specified income limits. Some properties are developed through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program, which gives developers tax incentives to build or rehabilitate rental housing for low-income residents.

Depending on the property, tenants may need to satisfy income, household-size, and other requirements. Rents are generally limited by program rules but are not necessarily calculated directly from each household’s actual income.

Applicants usually apply directly to the property manager or through a local housing portal. Some cities use housing lotteries when participating units become available.

Affordable Homeownership

In addition to rental housing, some states, cities, and nonprofit organizations offer programs that help low- and moderate-income households purchase and own homes at an affordable cost.

These programs may offer homes below market price or use special ownership models, such as a Community Land Trust, in which the buyer owns the home while a community organization generally retains ownership of the land to preserve long-term affordability.

Buyers typically must meet requirements related to income, financial readiness, use of the home as a primary residence, and other program conditions. Some homes are also subject to resale restrictions so they remain affordable to eligible future buyers.

Low-income individuals and families may also explore down payment assistance or closing cost assistance if they meet the applicable requirements.

Help When You Are at Risk of Losing Your Housing

If you are struggling to pay rent or are at risk of eviction, seek help as early as possible.

Depending on the community and available funding, programs may help with:

  • a portion of past-due rent;
  • a security deposit for a new home;
  • certain utility costs;
  • housing counseling;
  • mediation or help resolving issues with a landlord; and
  • referrals to legal services for eviction or tenant-rights matters.

Emergency rental assistance programs may change over time because funding is not always continuous. If you are having difficulty, contact your city or county government, housing agency, and local nonprofit organizations.

Emergency Shelter and Assistance for People Without Stable Housing

People experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing shelter may seek local emergency shelter and homelessness assistance programs.

In addition to temporary shelter, some programs may provide or connect participants with:

  • food;
  • health care;
  • employment assistance;
  • services for children;
  • transportation assistance;
  • help finding long-term housing; and
  • connections to other resources.

Families with young children, older adults, people with disabilities, and people facing special circumstances may be referred to services suited to their needs. In many parts of the United States, 211 can help residents locate shelters, food assistance, housing assistance, and other local social services.

Housing Counseling

In addition to financial assistance, HUD maintains a network of HUD-approved housing counseling agencies that provide guidance on a wide range of housing issues.

Depending on the agency and the client’s needs, housing counselors may provide information or advice on:

  • renting a home;
  • buying a first home;
  • financial preparation for homeownership;
  • mortgages;
  • foreclosure risk;
  • reverse mortgages; and
  • other housing matters.

Housing counseling can be especially useful for newcomers because renting, buying, mortgages, and credit in the United States may work very differently from the systems in their previous countries of residence.

HUD-approved agencies must provide counseling related to foreclosure prevention, eviction, and homelessness free of charge. Other services, such as pre-purchase counseling or reverse mortgage counseling, may be free or may involve a reasonable fee under applicable rules.

Residents can find a HUD-approved housing counseling agency through HUD’s website or call 1-800-569-4287 for assistance. HUD also offers access to counseling in multiple languages.

Assistance for First-Time Homebuyers

In addition to conventional mortgage loans, state and local governments, state housing finance agencies, and some nonprofit organizations may offer programs for first-time homebuyers.

Depending on the program, assistance may include:

  • homebuyer education;
  • housing counseling;
  • down payment assistance;
  • closing cost assistance; or
  • mortgage programs for eligible applicants.

Requirements vary widely by program and may address income, credit, property type, residency, and other conditions. Buyers should carefully review the terms of any assistance. For example, some down payment assistance may be a grant, while other programs may provide a repayable loan—with or without interest—or impose other conditions.

Tenant Rights and Protection Against Discrimination

The U.S. Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in many housing-related activities based on seven federally protected characteristics: race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability.

For immigrants, protection based on national origin is especially important. Landlords, home sellers, and other parties may not unlawfully discriminate against someone simply because that person comes from a particular country or territory.

State and local laws may protect additional groups beyond those covered by federal law.

If you believe you have experienced discrimination, you can learn about HUD’s complaint process or contact a local housing agency or legal aid organization.

Are Immigrants Eligible for Housing Assistance?

Not everyone who is lawfully present in the United States automatically qualifies for these subsidies.

For certain federal housing programs, including Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) and Public Housing, applicants must meet income requirements and rules related to U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status.

Special eligibility and prorated-assistance rules may apply to mixed-status families whose members have different immigration statuses. Applicants should contact their local PHA directly for guidance.

Immigrants may also explore state, local, and nonprofit housing programs, which may have different eligibility rules.

Beware of Housing Scams

Because they may need housing quickly, international students and newcomers can be especially vulnerable to housing scams.

Be cautious if a person or organization:

  • asks you to send money before you can view the property;
  • pressures you to pay a deposit immediately;
  • offers a rent discount in exchange for an unrelated action, such as transferring money to another person or organization;
  • advertises a home at an unusually low price;
  • requires payment through a method that is difficult to reverse;
  • claims it can guarantee Section 8 assistance or move you to the top of a waiting list for a fee; or
  • requests unnecessary personal information before you can verify the person or organization.

For government housing assistance programs, verify the information with the relevant government agency before providing money or personal information.

How to Find Housing Assistance Near You

You can begin your search through:

  • HUD and HUD-approved housing counseling agencies;
  • your local Public Housing Agency;
  • your state, county, or city housing department;
  • local affordable housing portals;
  • 211;
  • legal aid organizations;
  • community action agencies;
  • an Office of New Americans or immigrant-serving organization; and
  • nonprofit organizations that provide housing assistance in your community.

You can also search for terms such as “affordable housing,” “housing assistance,” “Section 8 waiting list,” “rental assistance,” “housing counseling,” or “tenant legal aid,” together with the name of the city, county, or ZIP code where you want to live.

Key Points to Remember

  • Immigrants may be able to access many forms of housing assistance, but eligibility varies significantly by program.
  • The Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) and public housing are important resources for eligible households, but waiting lists may be long.
  • Many communities have their own affordable housing properties or programs.
  • If you are at risk of losing your housing, seek rental assistance, housing counseling, or legal help as early as possible.
  • HUD-approved housing counseling agencies can be useful resources for both renters and prospective homebuyers.
  • First-time homebuyer programs may provide homeownership education, down payment assistance, or help with closing costs, but their requirements vary widely.
  • Housing assistance programs may have immigration-status requirements, so check directly with the program before applying.
  • Be alert to housing scams, especially guarantees of a Section 8 voucher, demands for immediate payment, or rental listings that seem too good to be true.

Selected Official Resources

Residents should also contact their local Public Housing Agency, housing department, or legal aid organization directly to confirm eligibility requirements and whether applications are currently being accepted.

This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal or financial advice or determine eligibility for any specific program. Programs, funding, and eligibility requirements may change over time and vary by location. Before making a decision, verify current information directly with the relevant government agency, housing agency, or program provider.