Finding an affordable home to rent that meets your needs can be challenging. The websites below are good resources for searching for affordable housing.
Housing search resources
MD Housing Search
Affordable rentals, including tax credit communities, are listed on this website which is funded by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. Searches can be done by county and by town within the county. In addition, listings note if they are age restricted for seniors and if units are income restricted because of the tax credit program or a rent subsidy. Information on the physical accessibility of a unit is also provided. It is always best to check with the landlord or property manager about accessibility features, as definitions may differ, and people have individual needs.
Affordable Housing
AffordableHousing.com partners with over 700 government agencies across the United States including HUD, NAHRO and PHADA. It collaborates with local municipalities, cities, counties, state agencies, housing authorities and various housing service providers to gather insight and knowledge that helps to increase the supply of affordable housing units and owner participation in housing programs. This website lists affordable rental units throughout the country. It also provides the ability to apply for an affordable rental unit for free.
Craigslist
Craigslist is a location-based classifieds platform where users can post items and services available or wanted. The housing section is used for new leases on apartment and home rentals and also room rentals in shared homes.
Apartments.com
Renting Made Simple: Browse the highest quality listings, apply online, sign your lease and even pay your rent from any device.
Zillow.com
The most-visited real estate website in the United States, Zillow and its affiliates offer customers an on-demand experience for selling, buying, renting, and financing with transparency and nearly seamless end-to-end service.
Zillow can be especially helpful to people with a challenging criminal background or rental history. Zillow has implemented its own rental housing application, which a property owner can use instead of their own application. The process is more open to allowing an applicant to explain any criminal or rental history that may be a barrier to housing. Sometimes, just getting an opportunity to explain your background is what’s needed to overcome these barriers.
Realtors
A realtor isn’t just for people who want to buy a house – realtors can also be a resource for someone who would like to find a place to rent. A realtor not only knows the area and market prices; they may also know of available properties that are not listed on the major rental websites, or they may know where to look for physically accessible housing.