What if the housing voucher/disability doesn't cover min reqts?

Question

We are in WA State and have an available apartment listed for $1250 and one of our minimum requirements is 2.5x monthly rent.  She is on disability of $750/month.  With these two amounts, however, she doesn't meet our minimum requirement of 2.5 times rent.  How would you proceed assuming the rest of our research shows no other red flags?  TIA!

Thomas S. · Answer

@Mary Mitchell

I think putting a large group of people under one label is not productive.

I realise not everyone on welfare is a low life and I should qualify my statements by indicating that I am only referring to the 80% that are welfare leaches.

Those with kids that would love to work should find a way to get their butts off welfare. There are ways to do it but most people are just to lazy to apply the effort. Regrettably I do not control the system. If I did there would be 80% fewer people collecting.

Enough of my anti welfare rant.

Nathan Gesner · Answer

Thomas is referring to people on welfare. Generally speaking, people are on welfare because they make bad financial decisions (or they're lazy scammers). They tend to make bad financial decisions like buying lottery tickets, cigarettes, and booze before ensuring their kids are fed or rent is paid.

It's science.

Mary M. · Answer

Who is “they” ?

Ryan Judah · Answer

Thank you all for answers to my question.  She has yet to apply and whether or not she does, I'll have this knowledge moving forward.

Nathan Gesner · Answer

@Mary Mitchell that's exactly why I said, "generally speaking".

You know what else is not productive? Claiming an entire class of people are good simply because you know a few that are. We have a problem in our society with speaking the truth and calling a spade a spade.

Let me speak from first-hand experience. I served 21 years in the military. When I retired, the military forced me to take a 10% disability rating. I literally told them I did not need it or want it but the system requires it based on a surgery I had, even though I am 100% capable of working. I have a brother that plays 18 holes of golf almost every day of the week and he has a 70% disability rating. I good friend of mine has a 70% disability rating and almost all of his health problems are due to his weight (back, knees, heart, liver, apnea, diabetes) and he was at least 50 pounds overweight and an alcoholic for his last ten years of military service!

I have personal experience with almost every government welfare program and first-hand knowledge of the rampant fraud, waste, and abuse. A large percentage of Section 8 recipients do not need the assistance, make no effort to remove themselves from the public dole, feel entitled to more, and will not respect what they've been given, including access to a rental they otherwise couldn't afford even if working.

I also know some recipients that really deserve the support. They are the minority.

Mary M. · Answer

I think putting a large group of people under one label is not productive.

I know elderly on section 8, women with kids who would love to work but childcare costs more than they can earn.

Of course there are folks that game the system but that happens with poor folks and the very very wealthy

Nathan Gesner · Answer

I don't think it's affordable unless Section 8 is paying 100% of her rent. That would leave her $750 for utilities, groceries, medications, and other necessities.

Thomas S. · Answer

Determine if she has enough money to live on after rent and utilities. If she does not you reject her application. As a landlord you have a responsibility to choose the right tenant for you and not allow anyone to rent more than they can comfortable afford. Remember they will buy their lottery tickets, cigarettes and booze before they will pay their rent.

What if the housing voucher/disability doesn't cover min reqts?

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