You may be able to avoid eviction by reaching an agreement with your landlord to pay back rent.
But before you approach your landlord to negotiate, be prepared. Here are some suggestions:
It’s important to know exactly what is required of both landlords and tenants during the eviction process. Understanding your tenant rights especially helps if negotiations fail, and your landlord decides to go forward with an eviction.
A list of state-by-state Tenant Rights resources can be found on HUD’s website here.
It’s best to consult with an expert before you start the negotiations. You might also be able to get the expert to do the negotiations.
You can find Legal Aid contact information for your area on USA.gov here.
There are government and social services that could help you pay your back rent. Before you start the negotiations, apply for all that is available to you. Keep proof of your applications, and tell your landlord you have applications in for these programs.
Find emergency rental assistance in your state on the U.S. Department of Treasury webpage here.
Wait until you have a Section 8 voucher to find housing.
It usually takes months or years to reach the top of a Section 8 HCV waiting list. Any apartments you see now will likely not be available when you get your voucher.Vickie Fields-Byrd says:
"Affordable Housing Online is an important source for people who have trouble finding information. Thank you so much for keeping your eyes and ears open for all of us!"