Housing Preferences and Search

The Why.

Housing choice is a key factor in housing stability. This section outlines how to identify a household’s preferences and how to interact with property management during leasing to best meet a household’s preferences.

This information is not meant to direct a household’s decision on where they live, but rather support them in making an educated decision about their housing. These factors can greatly influence a household’s stability and costs.

Step-by-Step.

  1. Identify Housing Preferences - this can be a conversation but we always recommend documenting a household’s preferences.

  2. Discuss how certain factors can affect their financial burden

  3. Begin housing search

  4. Remember to identify barriers before submitting applications

  • Properties have a wide range of practices for utility payment that can dramatically affect a household’s finances.

    • Who are utilities paid to? Utilities paid directly to the property are typically not eligible for low-income subsidy programs.

    Common Practices

    • Ratio Utility Billing (RUBS): Some properties may charge utilities based on total usage in a building and divide that amongst residents (typically by unit size) - commonly for water, sewer, and garbage. This means a household cannot directly control these utility costs.

    • Common Area Utilities are charged to tenants to pay for common areas like lights in the hallways - this can dramatically increase costs.

  • Location. Location. Location.

    Helpful Questions to Ask

    • What is a household’s main form of transportation.

    • How long would it take to travel from the housing to daily activities - map it out to know the exact time!

    • Are there any triggers in the area that could jeopardize the household’s stability.

  • Different unit types may be easier or harder to find.

    Types

    • Single Family Homes

    • Duplexes, Triplexes, etc.

    • Small Apartments

    • Large Apartments

    • Highrise Apartment

    The type of unit can influence

    • # of neighbors

    • Presence of features like laundry, dishwasher, air conditioning and community amenities

    • Presence of on-site management

    Note: If the property owner lives on-site they are exempt from some Fair Housing and Landlord-Tenant laws.

  • There are significant and subtle differences between Affordable and Market Rate housing.

    Affordable

    Affordable properties are income-restricted, typically at 50 or 60% AMI and rent amounts are regulated.

    • Lower screening criteria

    • Most commonly mid size or large Apartment buildings

    • May need to provide more information when applying

    • Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection not required

    Market Rate

    Market Rate housing is where the rent amount is set by the property owner or manager based on local market conditions.

    • Larger variety of unit type and location

    • Screening Criteria will vary widely (may have higher barriers)

Need to Know.

Housing Preferences and Search

Putting it in Practice

Tools

Resources

Sources

Need support implementing this into your workflow?

We offer in-person and virtual trainings to support best practices in landlord engagement.

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