• Government assistance is available for homebuyers.home sweet home image by David Dorner from Fotolia.com
  
  Low-income families in the United States can receive assistance from state and federal programs to help purchase a home or pay expenses related to owning a home. Participants in the programs must meet certain criteria to receive assistance. The criteria can range from income to citizenship requirements.
  
  

Vouchers

• The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development sponsors the Homeownership Vouchers program. The program provides vouchers to low-income families who need help to purchase a home. Low-income homebuyers who meet the program's qualifications receive vouchers that can be used toward a down payment or closing costs. Participants also may receive mortgage assistance and help with other expenses related to owning a home. A family must meet income and citizenship requirements to qualify. Participants must complete a certified homeowner counseling course. The public housing agency in each state is responsible for administering the program.
  
  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
  
  451 7th Street, SW
  
  Washington, DC 20410
  
  202-708-1112
  
  hud.gov
  
  

Weatherization

• The U.S. Department of Energy sponsors the Weatherization Assistance Program. The program helps low-income families reduce their energy costs. It provides grants to families to make their homes more energy-efficient. Grant money can be used to insulate a home, update a cooling and heating system or convert a home from electricity to gas. Participants must meet income requirements. The weatherization agency in each state administers the program.
  
  Weatherization and Intergovernmental Program
  
  U.S. Department of Energy
  
  Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
  
  1000 Independence Ave., SW, Mail Stop EE-2K
  
  Washington, DC 20585
  
  www1.eere.energy.gov
  
  

Rental Assistance

• The Department of Housing and Urban Development, known as HUD, sponsors the Housing Choice Vouchers program. The program provides vouchers to low-income families who need rental assistance. Some families use it as a steppingstone to qualify for HUD's Homeownership Vouchers program. People interested in applying for a voucher must contact their local public housing agency for an application. Most housing agencies have waiting lists. The length of the waiting list varies from area to area.
  
  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
  
  451 7th Street, SW
  
  Washington, DC 20410
  
  202-708-1112
  
  hud.gov