Housing Vouchers In High Demand

By Holli Haerr

We all know how hard it is to find an affordable house to buy on Long Island.

Well, finding an affordable RENTAL is also tough.

A few years ago, when I was looking for an apartment, it seemed that all the "good ones" were gone before I even called the number in the paper. As for the "bad ones"? Maybe I'm picky, but I'd like a bedroom that I can at least fit a bed in, or a ceiling that's more than two inches taller than I am.

With the tough economy and rising foreclosures, more and more people need to rent. But there's a limited pool of legal rentals here.

The Community Development Corporation of Long Island says Long Island has a much smaller percentage of rentals than most parts of the country. Of course, when demand outstrips supply, prices go up.

That's where the Corporation comes in. They give out what's known as Section 8 vouchers to help qualifying people pay their rent.

But there aren't nearly enough vouchers to cover the demand.

The president of the Corporation says they recently advertised that they were looking for applicants; and 10-thousand people applied, the most ever. Now, they're holding a lottery to pick five-thousand names.

The lucky ones will be put on a waiting list until vouchers become available. It might take a while, the corporation gives out about 200 vouchers a month.

While that group is not accepting more applications right now, there are several other agencies that also distribute housing vouchers.

Affordable Housing Story:
Nassau County Housing Information Line
Call 516-572-1903

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program
Community Development Corporation of LI
Rental Housing Assistance
Long Island Housing Partnership
Multiple Listing Service of Long Island
Long Island Volunteer Center
Long Island Fair Housing
Volunteer Match