I've been on the waiting list for a Section 8 voucher for over a year. They tell me to expect, probably, another year's wait. Half my SSDI check goes for rent and utilities, even though where I rent is very cheap, and utilities are low. That has me in constant anxiety about finances. It is hard to come up with the money to see a dentist, when I need to. My life is very no-frills, which I expect.

I went and applied at an apartment complex that has an "Affordable Housing Program." They participate in a HUD program and allocate so many apartments for tenants to get this particular subsidy that they get. I didn't expect to hear on this for months. They just called, and I guess they expect to have something for me quite soon.

I'm scared to take this first thing that comes up. Maybe I should look around more. Then, again, maybe that's a good way to miss the boat on what might be the best opportunity.

I would appreciate any advice whatsoever.

There must be somebody out there who has had to sort out these options, or is familiar with somebody in a similar situation. Experience leads to wisdom. Someone else's experience might save me from a poor choice.

If I pick a unit that cost more than what HUD allows, I can still take it, as long as the extra that I'll have to pay doesn't result in me paying more than 40% of my income in "gross rent." (gross rent = rent plus utilities) The place that's calling me, now, has units that cost a little above what HUD allows, so I'ld have to pay more than the 30% of my income that HUD considers ideal. (But it would be less than 40% of my income, so HUD would let me do that.)

If I don't take the unit offered now, my name goes to the bottom of the list at this complex, which apparently wasn't all that long. I don't want to rush into anything, especially since the unit they showed me wasn't as clean as I'ld like. Moving in cost would mean coming up with money I don't have. (I could probably borrow it.) Moving to this place would save me money every month. I would have to sign a year's lease there. Currently, I rent on a month-to-month basis, which gives me a nice sense of freedom, that I may never have again. (HUD subsidies require a year's lease.)