Could Sending This One Email Get You Into Affordable Housing?

It surely isn’t, as you can also contact buildings directly either by phone or by sending them this specific email.

The government’s Section 8 program is extremely popular because it makes rent affordable for low-income families. With a Section 8 voucher in place, you can pay a maximum of 30 percent of your income towards the rent. Why is this so significant? Because many low-income families pay over half of their income towards rent, which leaves them with little cash left over for other expenses.

What’s the problem with Section 8? It can be hard to get, as the demand is so high and voucher supply is so low that you could be waiting 10 years to get your voucher. Since waiting so long isn’t an option for most, your best bet could be directly contacting buildings with affordable housing. We’ll show you how to do just that with one simple email.

How To Find Affordable Housing Buildings

There are multiple ways to find buildings with affordable housing. The quickest is to head to Google and search for “affordable housing” in your city. Another option is to use this map from the HUD that shows Section 8 buildings in your area. While they may require vouchers, some may not. Or, at the very least, you could contact them and ask if they know of any other affordable housing options in the area.

Want to add more affordable housing contacts to your list? Then get in touch with as many Public Housing Agencies as possible. Even though they work with the Section 8 program, their housing counselors may have a list of affordable units in the area that you can contact.

Contacting Affordable Housing Buildings Via Email

If you’re not a fan of phone calls, you can send this email to buildings on your contact list. Edit it as you wish to fit your needs:

Dear (property manager’s name),

I appreciate the work you do to help low-income people get into affordable housing. I would like to learn more about your property and what the application process entails. When you get a moment, could you please tell me:

Are you accepting applications to your waiting list?
Do you have apartments that charge 30 percent of income? (use this question if you do not have a Section 8 voucher)
Do you accept Section 8 vouchers? (use this question if you do have a Section 8 voucher)
Could you tell me how long your waiting list is?

Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. I look forward to speaking to you soon.

Sincerely,
(Your name)

Will every building respond to your emails? No, as the response rate tends to fall between 20 to 50 percent. This is where persistence comes into play, as you can call those non-responsive contacts or email them again until you get the response you desire. Don’t depend on voicemails either, as many won’t listen to them.

If resending the email, be sure to put “Second Request” or “Third Request” in the subject line. In the body, include something like, “This is my second request since I did not receive a response the last time.” Both of these will let them know that you’ve been trying to contact them, and that persistence could work in your favor.