Housing Voucher Senior Housing

[cjmaxi]

I have a government housing voucher and considering moving to the beautiful Bellingham area. For the past 9 years I have been renting in a duplex, and would like to again rent in a duplex. Even though I'm an excellent renter, good credit , etc, I know it would be nearly impossible to find.

A senior communitiy would be nice also.
I'd like to find some place that is reasonably quiet and safe. And doesn't require three times the amount of total rent income. Just three times the amount of my portion of rent.

Recommendations?

[Hemlock140]

Bellingham is a college town, so that limits the available rentals, with the additional demand by college students. Most are still going to be in the $1,400-2000 range, much less than in the Seattle area.

[Ruth4Truth]

Look up Whatcom County Housing Authority. They'll have properties listed that are senior subsidized housing, as well as voucher housing for families, etc. (If they have anything at all.) You'll need to check which ones have open wait lists, then call to find out roughly how long a wait it could be.

Also look at Ferndale. Where are you moving from?

[CrazyDonkey]

Originally Posted by cjmaxi

I have a government housing voucher and considering moving to the beautiful Bellingham area. For the past 9 years I have been renting in a duplex, and would like to again rent in a duplex. Even though I'm an excellent renter, good credit , etc, I know it would be nearly impossible to find.

A senior communitiy would be nice also.
I'd like to find some place that is reasonably quiet and safe. And doesn't require three times the amount of total rent income. Just three times the amount of my portion of rent.

Recommendations?

https://aptfinder.org/property.php?id=Deer_Run_Terrace


https://aptfinder.org/property.php?id=Catherine_May


https://aptfinder.org/property.php?id=Woodrose_Senior

[rantiquity]

When walking down the street one can see which house has a renter. More likely lawns are not mowed then houses that kept up their owned property. I don't think renters have any pride in their homes as people who are paying house payments or own their home out right so kind of let either go or have the landlord take care of home maintenance which sometimes they are a little slow.

I live in a small area of about 20 houses on a one way loop and the one house that is not kept up is a rented house and the people who live in that house disregards the the property and the narrow one way street which is kind of dangerous because of all the bushes on the corners. Must be from Seattle or California.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Your post certainly has nothing to do with your poll. So I am not quit sure what it is you are actually trying to find out.

I'm sure there must be some really good renters who are getting help with their housing costs, but my own experience is that 100% of the Section 8 tenants who have applied to rent from me were committing some sort of welfare fraud. However, my sampling is small compared to the number of tenants receiving vouchers.

A lot of the reluctance to accept Section 8 is not so much the tenants. It is the unpleasantness of dealing with the housing authority and their bureaucracy and their indifference, sloth, and hostile rules.

[CrazyDonkey]

Originally Posted by rantiquity

When walking down the street one can see which house has a renter. More likely lawns are not mowed then houses that kept up their owned property. I don't think renters have any pride in their homes as people who are paying house payments or own their home out right so kind of let either go or have the landlord take care of home maintenance which sometimes they are a little slow.

I live in a small area of about 20 houses on a one way loop and the one house that is not kept up is a rented house and the people who live in that house disregards the the property and the narrow one way street which is kind of dangerous because of all the bushes on the corners. Must be from Seattle or California.

Unless it is specifically included in the lease as the tenant's responsibility, mowing/edging the lawn, trimming/watering the shrubs, mending fences, washing windows/siding, etc., is the landlord's responsibility. It is as likely a sign of a lazy landlord than a lazy tenant.

[xPlorer48]

There are long waiting lists for senior housing in Bellingham. People who have section 8 vouchers are having difficulties finding suitable housing due to a number of slumlords and unkempt housing. Also, there is a large student population to compete with who also want low cost housing options.

[xPlorer48]

Hmmm, you have a government housing voucher but, according to your other post, you want to stay in a vacation rental in Vancouver, BC, one of the most expensive cities in North America?

[CrazyDonkey]

Originally Posted by xPlorer48

There are long waiting lists for senior housing in Bellingham. People who have section 8 vouchers are having difficulties finding suitable housing due to a number of slumlords and unkempt housing. Also, there is a large student population to compete with who also want low cost housing options.

Project-based Section-8 "senior" properties (mostly privately owned) don't require a "voucher" and have their own waiting lists. It is worthwhile to get on their lists, if open, since rents are 30% of adjusted income (minus med. expenses). They often have one-bedroom apartments, while a voucher might only qualify you for a studio.