A home has a unique place in our everyday lives. Homes are where start and end our day, where are children live and play, where friends and family come together to celebrate, and where we seek refuge and safety. (HUD.org)
The rule of thumb among housing experts is that renters and homeowners should spend about 30% of their gross income (before taxes) on housing costs, leaving the balance for savings and for other expenses, including transportation, health care, food, clothing and the like. The reality is that low-income tenants and homeowners pay on average closer to 40-50% of gross income on housing, leaving less for other expenses. (Source: http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/issue-briefs/2016/03/household-expenditures-and-income)
This section is designed to inform you about how to secure safe, affordable housing with relatively fixed costs over the long term, while helping you save on housing-related costs (e.g. utilities) wherever you are presently living, and identifying options for temporary and transitional housing as needed.
Additional Housing Information
Housing subsidies and access to public housing
Security Deposits
Housing Cooperatives
- Rochdale - 361 Elm St, New Haven, CT 06511
Supervised Housing
Homeownership Resources
- Homeownership & Loan Classes
- Foreclosure / Avoiding Foreclosure
- Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (EMAP)
Renter's Resources
Helpful Definitions
- Gross income: Your gross income is the amount of money you earn before anything is taken out for taxes or other deductions.
- Tenant: A tenant is an adult who has signed a lease or rental agreement (or has an oral rental agreement) with a landlord to rent property, such as an apartment, condo, or house.
- Transitional housing: Transitional housing provides temporary housing for certain segments of the homeless population, including working homeless, and is set up to transition residents into permanent, affordable housing.