RentBetter.org Trying to Help Low-Income Families in Chicago

I know how hard applying for low-income housing can be. RentBetter.org is a website for Chicago families trying to apply for the housing. This is a innovative idea from the Chicago Housing Authority that is designed to help low income families apply for the waiting list for the Chicago housing choice voucher program. In Chicago, there is a waiting list that is often over 5 years long, for housing assistance. Until May 15, 2008 Families can apply on-line to be in a lottery to get in the wait list.

When I lived in California, I was having a very hard time financially. I was barely making enough money to support my son and me. I am a young mom, and I was trying hard to make it on my own. I felt like I should be able to support my family without any help. I didn't apply for housing help for a long time because of pride, but when my son and I were being evicted because we couldn't pay our rent I knew I had to do something.

When I first started to apply for assistance I had to go in in person and apply at the local public housing authority. When I first started reading the information I thought I might have waited to long to apply. I found out that there can often be long waiting lists that you must get on before they can provide any assistance. If the waiting list is longer then a year they stop accepting applications. I was lucky and I was able to get on the waiting list, but I knew I had to do something that would help me immediately or my son and I would be living on the street. I was able to borrow money from one of my family members until I could get the Section 8 housing help from the state.