Make a Home or Volunteer in Public Housing!

volunteer social housing

With the high cost of a home, it’s important to be aware of what public housing offers. It can provide numerous opportunities to give back to the local community.

For many people, it’s easy to take having a house for granted. But, in many places around the world – whether big or small – basic housing is becoming more unattainable than ever before. With a shortage of 7.2 million homes for the lowest-income people in the United States, housing continues to be an issue.  Despite this, there are public housing options that prioritize homeownership and tenant comfort for all income types. And, for those who are passionate about the issue, there are even ways you can volunteer to make your community better!

What Is Public Housing?

In the United States, there are many different types of public housing assistance available to homeowners. But, for those who are low income or require subsidies, there are many options that can work:

  • Non-Profit Housing– This type of housing is usually owned by private non-profit groups like churches or the government. Generally, its mission is to assist those at lower brackets achieve home security. As this is for low-income tenants, funding and subsidies are used to provide a lower monthly rent.
  • Public Housing – The government both owns and manages this housing type. If they want to be part of this housing, tenants must go through the public housing application process. As a result, they will need to meet a number of requirements in order to be considered.
  • Co-operative Housing – While this type of housing can be affordable, co-operative housing occurs when individual tenants maintain the building. As a result, rent will be put towards building maintenance. There are different co-ops with focus on different tenants, whether its seniors, artists or low income.

What Type of Volunteer Work Does Affordable Housing Provide?

Whether it’s packing hampers at the food bank or visiting patients, there are many different ways to volunteer in your community. There are also numerous opportunities to provide assistance to the public housing program:

  • Help to Build Homes– Organizations like Habitat for Humanity (HFH) offer volunteers the opportunity to assist in the home-building process. Whether you want to swing a hammer or follow instructions, this is one of the most popular volunteer programs around!
  • Repair Corps – With approximately 24% of veterans dealing with housing cost burdens, helping with HFH can be very meaningful. Luckily, this volunteer program will let you maintain and preserve homes, providing critical repairs to those in need. This can include everything from painting to landscaping. You may even want to share your experience with others on FamilyApp!
  • Assorted Social Volunteering– There are many public housing projects, which means volunteers can work in a number of capacities. You may be able to assist with making meals in a community kitchen or planting vegetables in the garden. Or, for those who like children, it can be ultimately fulfilling to help them grow.
volunteer at public housing
Everyone can help garden!

What Does Volunteering With Children in Social Housing Involve?

In public housing where there are organized events, working with children can offer a meaningful form of volunteerism. Since children are open and enthusiastic, volunteer activities may involve a wide variety of different things. When there are public outdoor areas to enjoy, kids can play games like tag, hide-and-seek, and even help garden. On days when the weather is cooler, there are few things that children enjoy more than crafts! Whether it’s drawing, painting or simply making slime, it’s easy to give back. The seasonal shifts and days like Halloween and Valentines can be great for making inspirational crafts. Baking cookies and cupcakes are ideal too!

There are many different types of public housing in the United States for those who are low-income. In addition to providing tenants with improved options, they can help to create a sense of community, too. Do you volunteer with any community organizations? If you do, share your experiences with us in our comment! For whatever your talents and passions, there is something you can contribute to affordable housing in your community.

For more family money tips and advice, check out the Money-Saving Family category on FamilyApp.

Similar Posts