1. Eligible Because of Low Income: "Affordable" housing is restricted to people with limited income, but the specific amount can vary from location to location. and depends on household size (how many people make up your household).  Income limits will be lower for a single person than that for a mother with two children, for example.  Income includes money you make from a job, and sometimes benefits you receive.  The more people in your household who work, the larger your "household income" will be.

 2. Certain Groups May Be Eligible: Some affordable housing is restricted to certain groups of people such as seniors over 60 or 65, or persons with disabilities, or formerly homeless people.  You must apply for such housing and "qualify" before you can even get on a waiting list.  Sometimes only certain units in a building will be available for a parrticular group so there may be more than one waiting list in the same building.

 3. Waiting List: Many kinds of properties will have a waiting list.  If the list is "open" this means you can make an application.  If the list is "closed" this means the property is not accepting applications.  A waiting list can be several years long, so remember to contact the property if you move, change your phone number or use a different name.  A list may "open" for a very short time, sometimes a matter of days, so if a list is closed, ask when, or if, it will open again.

4. Applications: You must usually go to the property to submit an application.  Make sure you have the right address for applications because there may be an office at another location that handles the paperwork.  Each property will have its own application form, and may require additional information to verify income, for example.  Plan to make two trips, one to get the application form and a return visit to drop off the completed application.