Apartments in Wichita, Kansas

Unemployment in Wichita, Kansas has been going up as the US continues to reel under an economic crisis. As of February 2009, the unemployment rate has already reached 6%, close to double the 3.8% recorded in the same period last year. Thus, many residents who have lost their jobs or have suffered from salary cuts are now seeking low-cost apartments.

Fortunately, the US has a program to help low-income families acquire affordable housing. Called the Housing Choice Voucher Program, or more commonly as Section 8, the program provides affordable apartments through rental subsidies for eligible poor families. In Wichita, the program is implemented by the Wichita Housing Authority. Families and individuals whose incomes make them eligible under Federal Income Limit guidelines pay 30% of the rent directly to the landlord, with the Housing Authority paying the balance.

Unfortunately, there is understandably a long waiting list for such programs. A visit to the WHA website in fact shows that the Authority is currently administering some 2,500 vouchers and is not accepting new applicants at this time.

Apart from this subsidy program, the WHA also has special programs for Section 8 participant-families that want to improve their quality of life by, for example, buying their own homes. These include a Self-Sufficiency Program that allows Section 8 families to start an escrow account that they can use as down payment on a house, and a Home Ownership Program that allows families to apply Section 8 vouchers towards mortgage payments.

There are also programs for families with special needs. The Mainstream Program provides Housing Vouchers to non-elderly participants or families with disabilities to help them find affordable housing, while the Shelter Plus Care Program provides housing for homeless families with members who are chronic substance abusers, are mentally-ill or have AIDS or AIDS-related illnesses.