Disabled Veteran Housing Choice Voucher Landlord Search - Could use some help...

Disabled Veteran Housing Choice Voucher Landlord Search - Could use some help...

Member since 2023 · 4 posts · 0 votes

Hi there,

I just accidentally came across this forum while doing a search for properties/landlords that accept or are willing to accept a housing choice voucher.  

I'm a disabled veteran with a chronic illness. Currently I'm working with a group from the city of Detroit called the community health corps, and they have set me up so I can get what is known as a housing choice voucher. I believe even if your current building or apartment is not set up to receive the voucher or utilize the voucher they can actually help you. I don't do drugs, I don't even smoke cigarettes, no pets... I'm just looking for a good, quiet, peaceful, place to live.

So, I guess I'm just checking some places out to see if they're willing to work with me.  The Voucher is from DHC.  My upper limit currently is $1052 but I am requesting an increase due to a clause that says I can get 120% of my payment standard for reasonable accommodations due to my disability. It is a zero income voucher since I am still waiting for my determination as far as social security benefits but that should be any time now. 

Areas of interest are anywhere in Oakland, Wayne or Macomb counties but the areas need to be safe, nice and near amenities - My chronic illness includes chronic fatigue as a symptom, so I do not have energy to risk living in unsafe areas, and I need to be close to stores, resources etc.  My specialist Dr is in Ferndale so the closer to that the better though I have friends and family near Holly so that opens up the window a little since they will be more able to offer help if I am a bit close to them.  So, I am open to many locations including safe areas in Detroit all the way up to Holly and anywhere in between, including places like Plymouth, Northville but the Woodward corridor is good as well north of 8 mile or anywhere close to 75 going north from 8 mile.  Just not Pontiac.  

Safe, quiet, no mold or water damage, (since I was forced to move out of my last place because of water damage and mold), hard surface floors preferred though I am willing to look at units with carpeting, washer and dryer close or in the unit, since I have mobility issues, dishwasher as well (same reason) and if possible, full bath (not just shower), and if possible a window that opens in the bathroom so I can air it out and help eliminate mold and mildew buildup.  (Because of CIRS and MCAS - mold is not good.)

I know this is a lot but I need to make sure I have the best possible place to live so I can not just keep an Illness, but DEFEAT it!  Incidentally I used to do real estate as a Listing Agent in Chicago, in the early stages of my illness, and was very successful, working with high end landlords to rent out units on average of $2000/month even up to a unit I rented at $3800/month so I am familiar with leasing/landlords/rental properties etc.  Unfortunately I do not have the landlord list from Chicago living here back home in Michigan so here I am.  Chronic Illness doesn't care about my past success and has grown to make it impossible to work for the time being but I will not give up.

Anyway any help in this search whether you have a property or know someone who does would be great.  I already know all the basic search options, websites, apartment searches, hudmaps etc, so let's just say my post here is more about who can give me, "Word on the street." Landlords, properties, management companies etc. 

Please and Thankyou!
Geese

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  • John UnderwoodPro Member
    Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    3y

    You posted to a nationwide forum. I am for instance in SC. I would help if I could.

    No one has to be set up to accept a voucher. The landlord just gets a direct deposit. 

    I believe no one can legally discriminate against a disabled person and I certainly would hope they would be inclined to help a veteran. Good luck!

  • John UnderwoodPro Member
    Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    3y

    I would search on Zillow, and FB marketplace also see if the housing authority has their own site.

  • Member since 2023 · 4 posts · 0 votes
    3y
    Quote from @John Underwood:

    You posted to a nationwide forum. I am for instance in SC. I would help if I could.

    No one has to be set up to accept a voucher. The landlord just gets a direct deposit. 

    I believe no one can legally discriminate against a disabled person and I certainly would hope they would be inclined to help a veteran. Good luck!


     They can't discriminate but they can say they don't take the voucher.  When I posted this it was I thought in a Detroit forum but I guess that's just a tag at the bottom of my post.  Thank you for your help!

  • John UnderwoodPro Member
    Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Adam Phoenix:
    Quote from @John Underwood:

    You posted to a nationwide forum. I am for instance in SC. I would help if I could.

    No one has to be set up to accept a voucher. The landlord just gets a direct deposit. 

    I believe no one can legally discriminate against a disabled person and I certainly would hope they would be inclined to help a veteran. Good luck!


     They can't discriminate but they can say they don't take the voucher.  When I posted this it was I thought in a Detroit forum but I guess that's just a tag at the bottom of my post.  Thank you for your help!


     I really don't think they can legally say they don't take vouchers either.

  • Colleen F.Pro Member
    Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    3y

    @Adam Phoenix  the laws of your state determine if the landlords are obligated to accept a voucher. I don't know the laws in Michigan. Regardless they can't discriminate based on the fact you have a disability.  Even if you have a different voucher like VASH you can try gosection8.com for listings. Those listings may also accept your voucher. Not sure if the veterans has a seperate listing site. You might check with a local veterans group.

  • Member since 2023 · 4 posts · 0 votes
    3y
    Quote from @John Underwood:
    Quote from @Adam Phoenix:
    Quote from @John Underwood:

    You posted to a nationwide forum. I am for instance in SC. I would help if I could.

    No one has to be set up to accept a voucher. The landlord just gets a direct deposit. 

    I believe no one can legally discriminate against a disabled person and I certainly would hope they would be inclined to help a veteran. Good luck!


     They can't discriminate but they can say they don't take the voucher.  When I posted this it was I thought in a Detroit forum but I guess that's just a tag at the bottom of my post.  Thank you for your help!


     I really don't think they can legally say they don't take vouchers either.

    Thats interesting... Hmmmmm
  • Member since 2023 · 4 posts · 0 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Colleen F.:

    @Adam Phoenix  the laws of your state determine if the landlords are obligated to accept a voucher. I don't know the laws in Michigan. Regardless they can't discriminate based on the fact you have a disability.  Even if you have a different voucher like VASH you can try gosection8.com for listings. Those listings may also accept your voucher. Not sure if the veterans has a seperate listing site. You might check with a local veterans group.


     Gosection8 - yea checked it out but I noticed a lot of landlords are posting on there even if they don't accept vouchers or have housing that is affordable.  I will have to hope the DHC can figure out how to apply that 120% increased payment standard to my voucher. They have no reason not to honestly.  Fingers crossed.

  • Austin, TX · Member since 2019 · 5k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    3y

    If you need a wheelchair friendly kitchen and bath (roll in-shower) and front door you should say that plainly.

    Mobility issues can mean a lot of things.

    Also do you need ADA appliances in the kitchen, if so state that also.

    If you get no positive bites in here maybe try this site:

    https://www.apartments.com/hamtramck-mi/?bb=k09-2v4zgJi6huphG

    I set the search for Hamtramick, but you can reset it anywhere, Huntington Woods, Farmington, wherever.

    If you look at larger 100+ complexes, newer ones (the newer the better), you may find units they have that can be prepped for ADA (on the first floor).

    Big operators have some additional rules regarding ADA vs a SFH owner or a duplex, which is why I recommend fishing where the fish are most likely to be if you need an ADA unit.

    Good Luck!

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