Low income housing: beneficial for students?

Mat Lindenberg - The Clipper, 10/10/08

As tuition and other college expenses and the pure cost of living escalate, more and more students in Washington and across the nation are finding it harder to live on their own. Yet not every student has the support of parents to fall back on, or enough money to even share the rent with a few other roommates.

College students are a notoriously thrifty bunch, living on a diet of Top Ramen and powering their cars with crossed fingers and whatever change hides in their pockets, yet a lack of disposable income does not necessarily qualify you for low-income housing.

"The system was not designed, or intended, for (a majority of) college students," said Jerry Brevier, a Housing Management Coordinator for the Low Income and Affordable Housing Institute.

"This is a program for the homeless and soon to be homeless, senior citizens and the disabled, and people who do not make enough money or have the ability to pay rent and [support families]."

Still, there are a number of students who can and will benefit greatly from low income housing. It is important, however, to know both your rights and your landlords, and to be aware of the regulations involved so you don't suddenly end up on the street or be found ineligible and owe back rent to the government.

Low Income housing is defined by the government as housing that costs its residents 30 percent or less of their total annual income, and is only available to those who make less than 60 percent of the annual median income of the area in which they live. In Snohomish County, the most recent figures on the median income set it at $54,584, which means you must make less than 32,750$ to qualify. College students cannot legally apply if they are taking or plan to take more than 12 credits a semester.

Most people who live in Low Income Housing are also able to get some, most, or all of their rent paid for by the government under Section 8 of the US Housing Act of 1937. In 2006, however, numerous regulations were introduced after loopholes in the law allowed college students to not count money they received towards their college education as part of their total income.

Aid under Section 8 is now only available for college students who meet one of the following criteria:

Over 24.
Veterans of the Military.
Married, but still meeting income limitations.
Parents of a child considered a dependent for tax purposes.
Children of parents who both could qualify for low-income housing.


These, it should be noted, are the most basic rules - the housing authority in the county in which you live, or the landlord you are renting from may have their own rules. The Snohomish County Housing Authority did not return calls for a statement.

"We hear from people, time to time, who take advantage of this program," said Brevier. "It really is sad to me, because {Low Income Housing} is like welfare; it's for those that need it."

WSU Student and internet blogger 'Kirt' recently wrote about his interaction with his landlord after he was found to be in noncompliance. He talked via email with the author about some of the problems that come about when either the landlord or the tenant break the agreements.

"I lived in a low income housing complex for a few months and started taking more than the 12 credits [allowed, but I didn't report it.] The [landlord somehow found out], and threatened to [turn me into the government] unless I paid him [much higher rent]." 'Kirt' did not say how the situation turned out, or provide details to confirm his story.

"There are real legal consequences to lying about this sort of thing," said Brevier. "You can be charged with fraud and [many other charges, depending on your case.]"

According to a police report put out by the Department of Justice in 2007, lying to receive Low Income Housing is "a felony that provides for a term of imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of up to $250,000 upon conviction."

Our area offers a lot of opportunities to take advantage of this program, and though as college students it is much harder to qualify, for those that need it low income housing could be a lifeline.

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