Ponder Your Options – A dorm while in school, potential roommates in an apartment, transitional living, group homes? Make a list!
Explore Financial Assistance – Investigate subsidies offered by the Independent Living Program and Transitional Independent Living Program. You can also contact your local provider for power or water (APS Assistance Programs and Salt River Project (SRP) Economy Price Plan ).
Check The Cost – Learn average rental costs, but also move-in costs such as utility and security deposits, applications fees, and first-and-last month rent deposits.
Eye Those Applications – Take a close look at any rental agreement before you sign. Some rentals may require a co-signer – someone willing to vouch for you and pay rent if you can’t. If so, you’ll need to recruit a member of your team for this role.
Prepare Your Place – Here are some affordable options for household items – cookware, lamps, a mattress – you’ll need for your new home:
- Friends of Foster Children – Throughout Arizona
- Helen’s Hope Chest Helps Foster Children – Mesa United Way
- Bridging AZ — Need referral from your case worker to find out if their agency has a current contract with Bridging AZ
- Find thrift stores in communities all over Arizona at The Thrift Shopper.
Public Housing Options – Arizona has public housing options available. Check out what’s available using the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) websites.
- Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Rental Help in Arizona
- HUD Affordable Apartment Search Application (Arizona)
Affordable Housing Resources (Short and Long Term) – Here are resources to help with housing—transitional and longer term. Most Arizona cities also have affordable and subsidized housing programs. Look for information on the city’s website.
