Can I get help with rental assistance in Charlotte?

(Request from April in Charlotte, North Carolina) Can I get help with rental assistance?

Dear April,

Rental assistance in Charlotte is provided by several organizations that serve lower income households impacted by job losses or other financial hardship. There are different types of rental assistance in the Greater Charlotte area that can be beneficial for a family or even an individual in need of extra help to avoid potential homelessness.

One of the more effective forms of rental assistance is the use of transitional housing to provide temporary rental assistance over the course of weeks or a few months so that you can get back on your feet again. This is a great opportunity to save money for your first months rent and security deposit while you work on paying off other bills improving your credit. You can even focus on job training and improving your income without the stress of having to make rent and utility payments at normal market rates.

Friendship CDC is one organization that provides transitional housing in Charlotte. Charlotte Emergency Housing provides shelter to housing options. Oxford house administers well over a dozen homes in Mecklenburg County that are provided to individuals in transition.

Religious-based organizations such as Lutheran Family Services in the Carolinas often go beyond transitional housing. It may be possible to get matched with cash grants to be used towards rental assistance and security deposits if you meet certain eligibility guidelines. You’ll find that Charlotte is a city of strong faith. There are many religious organizations that are committed to helping the poor as well as those who have suddenly found themselves faced with poverty, unemployment or even homelessness.

If you do not qualify for income-based assistance, then you may have to consider the fact that a loan might be a more feasible option for you. Grants are certainly more attractive than rental loans that must be repaid, but they are generally restricted to those who are in the most dire of circumstances. Your current bank or credit union will generally provide you with the best option for borrowing money in order to cover a short-term financial crisis. Still it does pay to shop around, since some credit unions offer pretty good deals to their members. Some credit unions are highly restrictive on their membership while others will admit almost anyone.

Loans are not appropriate for situations where you are unemployed or otherwise unable to afford to repay the loans. You will also find that loans carrying an interest rate of more than 18%, which are common to those with bad credit, are generally unaffordable and not recommended in most situations.

You should generally not worry about whether or not you qualify for the specific benefits offered by an individual agency. Instead, focus on gathering information about your options and on the resources that you may tap into. You can benefit from case management and referrals even if you do not meet the strict requirements imposed by some organizations on their benefits.