Back to: Finding Your Place: Overcoming Barriers in Rental Housing

By refining your rental search strategy before making contact, you can improve your chances of finding a rental property that meets your needs and overcomes your background challenges. These steps can help you find the right rental property and present yourself as a qualified and responsible tenant to landlords or property managers.

• Online rental websites: Check popular rental websites like Zillow, Apartments.com, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace and Rent.com to search for available rental units in your area. Utilize rental search websites or apps like Cozy or Zumper, which can notify you of available rental units that match your preferences.
• Join Online Groups: Facebook groups or other social media communities that focus on rental listings or housing information. Search online marketplaces such as Facebook that have rental listings.
• Word of mouth: Ask family, friends, and coworkers if they know of any available rental units in your area.
• Local ads: Check community bulletin boards like ones at grocery stores, cafes etc and local newspapers to find potential rental options.
• Check with churches or other faith-based organizations in your area, as they may know of available rental units or support programs for those in need.
• Contact non-profit organizations that provide rental assistance or connect tenants with housing for specific at-risk communities. (We will provide some examples and links below.)
• If you are a veteran, check with veteran support organizations, which may have resources or listings for available rental units for veterans.
• Expand your search area: Consider looking for rental units outside of your preferred location or neighborhood to find more available options. Use public transportation or walkability scores to find areas with good transit access and available rental units. Look for rental units in smaller towns or suburbs, which may have more available rental units than urban areas.

Subleasing and alternate housing options

• Consider Subleasing: Subleasing can be a great option for those who are looking for temporary housing arrangements or for those who want to avoid the long-term commitment of a traditional rental lease. Here are some reasons why you should consider subleasing:
• Flexibility: Subleases are often more flexible than traditional rental agreements. You can typically find subleases for shorter periods of time, which can be ideal if you’re in between apartments or looking to move to a new city soon.
• Lower costs: Subleasing can often be less expensive than renting a traditional apartment. Subleases may have lower monthly rents or may include utilities and other amenities in the cost.
• Location: Subleasing can be a great way to live in a desirable location that may be out of your budget for a traditional rental agreement.
• To find subleases, you can try the following:
• In some cases, the requirements for subleasing may be less strict than those for a traditional rental agreement. This is because the landlord may be more focused on finding someone to cover the cost of rent while they are away or for the remaining duration of their lease.
• Sites such as Airbnb and Vrbo can be great options for emergency housing if you’re in a situation where you need a place to stay on short notice. Here are some steps to take to use these platforms for emergency housing:
• It’s worth noting that Airbnb and Vrbo may not be the most cost-effective options for long-term emergency housing, as the costs can add up quickly. However, they can be a good option for short-term stays or for those who need a place to stay on short notice. Additionally, these platforms may offer additional support and resources in the case of unexpected issues or emergencies during your stay.
• When using Airbnb and Vrbo as emergency housing, it’s important to keep in mind that the hosts may be open to more permanent rental arrangements or to providing references for future housing opportunities. This is especially true if you’ve been a responsible and respectful guest during your stay.
• To maximize your chances of getting a positive reference or potential future rental opportunity, it’s important to be a responsible guest. This means following the terms and conditions of the rental agreement, being respectful of the host’s property, and communicating any issues or concerns in a timely and respectful manner.
• If you’re looking for more permanent housing and are interested in potentially renting from the host in the future, it can be helpful to express your interest early on in your stay. Let the host know that you’re interested in finding more permanent housing in the area and ask if they have any recommendations or if they would be open to renting to you in the future. By being a responsible and respectful guest, you can increase your chances of getting a positive reference or potential future rental opportunities.

It’s important to remember that finding safe and affordable housing can be a complex and challenging process, especially for individuals who have had challenges in their past. It may be helpful to work with a local advocate or case manager who can provide guidance and support throughout the housing search process.

Below is a list of additional resources focused specifically on the needs of some at risk groups:

• Veterans: Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) Program: https://www.va.gov/homeless/housing.asp
  • Housing Assistance for Veterans: https://www.usa.gov/housing-help-for-veterans
• • Veterans Matter: https://veteransmatter.org/
• Homes for Our Troops: https://www.hfotusa.org/

• LGBTQ+:
• National LGBTQ Task Force: https://www.thetaskforce.org/housing/
  • LGBTQ-Friendly Senior Housing: https://www.seniorliving.org/lgbtq/
  • National Center for Transgender Equality: https://transequality.org/issues/housing-homelessness
  • Trans Housing Coalition: Provides resources and support for transgender individuals, including sex workers, to find safe and affordable housing options. They offer emergency shelter and assistance in finding long-term housing solutions. Website: https://transhousingcoalition.org/

• Undocumented:
• United We Dream: https://unitedwedream.org/
  • National Immigration Law Center: https://www.nilc.org/
  • Immigrant Legal Resource Center: https://www.ilrc.org/

• Trafficked and Exploited:
• National Human Trafficking Resource Center: https://humantraffickinghotline.org/housing-assistance
  • Polaris Project: https://polarisproject.org/what-we-do/housing/
  • National Network to End Domestic Violence: https://nnedv.org/content/housing/

• Victims of Domestic Violence:
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: https://www.thehotline.org/help/housing/
  • National Network to End Domestic Violence: https://nnedv.org/content/housing/
  • The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence: https://ncadv.org/resources/housing
• Women’s Shelters: https://www.womenshelters.org/

• Finding rentals that accept tenants with a history of sex work can be challenging due to the stigma associated with the profession. Here are some resources that can help: 
• The Cupcake Girls (https://thecupcakegirls.org/): A non-profit organization providing support, advocacy, and resources for those involved in sex work and sex trafficking, including housing assistance.
• The Sex Workers Project: Provides legal services, advocacy, and resources for sex workers. They have a housing program that helps sex workers find safe and affordable housing options. Website: https://sexworkersproject.org/housing-support/
• National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF): Provides resources and support for individuals and communities impacted by discrimination against sexual minorities, including sex workers. They have a housing resource center that can help connect individuals with rental options. Website: https://www.ncsfreedom.org/our-programs/consent-counts/consent-counts-housing-project/