Do you struggle paying your high Wake County rent? Unfortunately, there may not be a lot of pleasant options for you. While access to fast access to cash was more readily available when payday loans were still legal in North Carolina, be thankful that you aren’t tempted to fall into the trap of owing your paycheck before you even get it.
Cash grants may be provided through some charities and through social services. To get these funds, at least one adult in the household must attend a counseling meeting. These funds are also usually linked to completion of a budgeting course at one of the local partner charities.
So what options are available to Wake County residents seeking help for their rent? If you are a member of a credit union, you may be able to get a short-term loan. Otherwise, is there a friend or family member who can help you out?
If you’ve struggled to pay your rent more than one month, your best bet will probably be to seek a long-term solution. Could you find a lower-cost housing solution? Both the Raleigh Housing Authority and Wake County Housing Authority operate public housing that may be available to you.
Could you find a roommate? While sharing space with someone else may not be ideal, it’s certainly preferable to eviction and homelessness. House sizes have dramatically increased over the last century, and you may find that if you have a smaller amount of space, you spend less filling it with stuff and air-conditioned or heated air.
Section 8 housing vouchers may also be a long-term option for you. Unfortunately, in Raleigh, the wait for this type of rental assistance in private housing is 4-5 years. You will need to figure out another solution like those above in the meantime. Still, it would be wise to apply for a voucher, so that you can be on the waiting list.
Smart tenants take the advice of Wake County Human Services. They are often referred to a county program known as Wake County Supportive Housing Program (SHoP). SHoP provides valuable programs such as Ready to Rent, which helps those with damaged credit earn the opportunity to rent again by completing a four-day course. Some communities even offer the Second Chance Program to approve a lease application on an apartment to those who complete the program, even if they still have outstanding rent owed from their last apartment. Anyone interested in this option may call 919-212-9379.
Long is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.A. in Industrial Relations. He subsequently received his Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University. His Certificate in Financial Planning was issued by Florida State University.
Long has achieved the Accredited Credit Counselor and Accredited Financial Counselor certifications through the Association for Financial Counseling, Planning and Education. Long originally achieved the Certified Credit Counselor designation through the National Institute for Financial Education.
In addition to years of nonprofit leadership, Long has been an innovator in the field of volunteer tax return preparation programs. He assists volunteer associations and nonprofit organizations who seek to integrate credit counseling and asset-building programs with free personal income tax preparation. His approach to using free credit reports as both an incentive and a screening tool for placement into asset-building programs has been shared with members of the National Community Tax Coalition, the EITC-Carolinas Initiative of MDC, Inc. and nonprofit groups across the Carolinas.
Long assists members of our armed forces in the Carolinas, Iowa, Rhode Island, Georgia and Germany with financial readiness. Please support our Soldiers, Marines, Airmen and Sailors!
Favorite quote:
"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."
Thomas Jefferson
- Help with Rent in North Carolina - November 6, 2014
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- Help with Paying Rent in Wake County - November 6, 2014