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Single Mother Housing Rental Issues
from: Karlie BestlerSingle mothers have many obstacles to when it comes to renting. Economics is usually the primary factor. It is a constant juggling act for a single mother to figure out where she can rent, how much can she pay for rent and whether the neighborhood will be a good one for the children.
All these factors have to be taken into account when a single mother chooses where to rent, and she must do so knowing that she must take responsibility for her own life and those of her children. The rental choice lies squarely with the single parent. No one else is there to make that decision.
Economics
Women still earn only 75 cents to every dollar a male earns. It is easy to see why single mother households struggle to make ends meet. In addition, many employers discriminate against single mothers because of fears of health costs for children and work absences due to child care issues.
Another issue that single mothers have to overcome is the fact that in order to work outside the home, they must pay someone to watch their children. If the price of daycare offsets the earnings of the mother, it makes no sense for her to work. But, if she doesn't work, her options for renting become quite limited since she cannot produce evidence of a stable income.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers housing assistance programs for subsidized housing for single mothers, housing vouchers and public housing for single mothers. These single mother housing assistance programs are usually managed locally. Single moms looking for housing children will be safe in needs to determine what agencies in the area are responsible for single mother housing assistance programs. It is in the best interest of the family that the single mother research the single mother housing assistance programs available and applies for any single mother housing assistance programs that she determines is helpful for her family.
The two best things a single mother can do to improve her chances of having the financial stability to meet rental housing requirements is to get daycare assistance and to have a steady job. Any increase in income or decrease in expenses will directly impact single mother housing rental options. Subsequently, education can improve her wage-earning capacity and contribute to better choices in rental communities.
Be Your Own Advocate
Many single mothers fall between the cracks because of a lack of self-responsibility. A single mom living in poverty too often expects agencies to pull her out of the hole she find themselves in. With a more "hands off" philosophy of social programs, the single mother needs to become a fierce advocate for herself and her children.
Being an informed consumer is the best protection when choosing single mother housing rental options. Know your rights, know what comparable rentals are, read the contracts and follow the guidelines to the letter. Do you know what the penalties are for missing a rent payment? Do you know if you will get your deposit back? Have you gotten references from other people who have rented in this community? Do you know what the neighborhood is like? Do you know what the school system is like?
All these things are items that a single mother must take personal responsibility in managing when making a single mom living rental choice. Once you sign a rental lease, it could be a year or more before you can get yourself out of that situation if it turns out to have been a bad choice for you or your children. Choose wisely.
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