The Single Mom’s Tips for Finding Housing
If you’re a single mom, your state may have several grant opportunities that you’re not even aware of. If you’ve dreamt of living in a better place in a safer neighborhood for your kids, your dreams may not be as far off as you think they are. It can be difficult to imagine making a drastic change, but federal and local aid is often available to help you meet the needs of your family, so you and your kids can be thriving instead of just surviving. Here are a few things to consider as you’re working toward getting better housing for your family.
Grants
In addition to federal and state grants, many nonprofits also offer assistance for single moms. Federal grants are for individuals who live anywhere in the U.S. and state grants are restricted to individuals who live in a particular state. There are other non-government programs, such as Habitat for Humanity or other local organizations that also assist single moms to provide safe, affordable housing.
Community
Before you make a decision on a house to buy, it’s important to consider several factors as you’re narrowing down the areas in which you’d like to live. Consider what school district your children would be in, if they attend public school. You’ll want to be sure that it has the resources that your children need in order to thrive. Talk to a few parents in the area to find out more about the educational system in that community. Neighbors can be one of your greatest assets as a single mom — especially if you move into a neighborhood with other single moms. Think about whether or not you will be able to build some community within your neighborhood and swap babysitting with other mothers when you need it.
Geography
You’ll also want to consider access to grocery stores and other places you’ll frequent. Since you’re a single mom, it’s not as easy to duck out and get a gallon of milk whenever you need one. Consider how long it will take to drive to the store and whether or not there is one on your normal route to and from work or school. If you have small children, think through how close the place is to busy streets, open bodies of water, or other hazards that will affect your children’s safety. Make a list of non-negotiables and stick to these things as you’re finding the right place to raise your kids.
Paige One enjoys writing about a variety of topics, especially tips for single mothers!