Has anyone had any experience with finding government housing? A friend has been without a job for quite awhile and he and his family (wife and one child) are now living with his mother in law. Not a good situtation. They applied for housing, but was turned down, while another friend, unmarried, with two children and living with her mother, got housing soon after she applied.  

I don't understand the difference or know quite where to start to help them. Any suggestions?

unfortunately it is the 'unmarried' factor. I would qualify for quite a few things if dh and I weren't married. I don't know what the difference is, if you are living together you still have the same pool of money to work with. The governemnt is unwittingly suporting shacking up.

Lived with my MIL for 2 months it was a disaster. They need to get under their own roof-somehow. Best of luck and prayers!

Is that what it is?! How unfair. It seems as if they'd be more supportive of families.

I agree, they need their own place as soon as possible.

 If they are looking for Section 8 housing assistance, there is often a long waiting list. Here it can be up to two year wait. With this program, rent cant be more than 25% of income and you recieve subidy for the rest of rent. Paid to the landlord. Some areas have more assistance than others. Dont know if it is based on population or needs. Babs

babs:

If they are looking for Section 8 housing assistance, there is often a long waiting list. Here it can be up to two year wait.

That's what I've been told about this area, too, but the unmarried mother got into housing within three months of applying and I don't think she pays anything at all for it. It must not be under Section 8, but I don't know.

I'd just like to help them find a way to get housing of some kind.

 Here is a woman says that she has been abused by a man, she will get in quicker. I have seen that. Not sure why....also a few times disabled people. Babs

babs:

 Here is a woman says that she has been abused by a man, she will get in quicker. I have seen that. Not sure why....also a few times disabled people. Babs

I can kind of understand that, but at the same time, it doesn't seem right for a government agency to pick and choose like that. I guess that's one reason people find ways to get around the system.

So if she said he was abusing her, she could get an apartment for her and their little girl, then he could come and live with them! (Not likely, they're both so honest it's almost painful.)

Pat:

Is that what it is?! How unfair.

It does seem common though. It makes no sense to me but then the government never calls to ask me what I think before they work on plan implementation, hrmph.

Brandy:

the government never calls to ask me what I think before they work on plan implementation, hrmph.

Now, that's just unimagineable. Who do they think they are, anyway??

Seriously, I know this happens and it doesn't help the friends who need housing. I'm almost to the point of helping them buy a motorhome and see if they can park it at their church.

Pat:

I'm almost to the point of helping them buy a motorhome and see if they can park it at their church.

That's better than no housing.

I think as more people struggle and government spending increases, more will find they can not rely on government assistance. It's up to us to help ourselves as best we can and help each other as well.