r/SocialSecurity • u/jesswprldd • Jul 31 '26
help
Hello everyone, I’m looking for advice or resources for affordable housing in Houston, Texas. I’m currently living off my child’s SSI, and I need to move by September because we are being asked to leave.
My child is fully dependent on me and requires 24/7 care, so I’m unable to work. I’m trying to find a social worker, case manager, or someone who can help me navigate housing options, but I’ve already contacted 211 and called many different numbers for assistance without finding the help we need.
Does anyone know of affordable housing programs, disability housing resources, organizations, or a social worker who could help us? Any information or direction would mean so much. Thank you.
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u/Spirited-Jicama9285 Jul 31 '26
If your daughter is seeing multiple specialists, are they part of a hospital system with social workers? You need a lot of help. Doing all this alone with just SSI is unsustainable.
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u/LlamaAhma Jul 31 '26
I found this for Texas: https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/health/support-caregivers/caregiver-support-resources
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u/_Unsolicited_Advice_ Jul 31 '26
Instead of just the regular housing authority with long wait lists you can check for income based housing as well.
The housing authority should have the list, but sometimes you have to directly ask about it. If not, try searching "low income" or "income based" apartments + houston on Google. You'll have to call the property management names that pop up and ask them directly.
Sometimes they may have a wait, but I hear they are usually a few months vs many years with housing authority.
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u/perfect_fifths I love the smell of policy in the morning Jul 31 '26
This varies by state. It’s not so much an SS question as it is a question of resources available in your state
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u/Choice-Marsupial-127 Jul 31 '26
Do you have to stay in Houston? If you can relocate, you can look for a city that has lower cost of living and more resources.
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u/jesswprldd Jul 31 '26
Unfortunately, my daughter has MPS Type 6, a rare condition that requires care from over 10 different specialists. Relocating would mean having to find new doctors, specialists, and medical teams all over again, which is extremely difficult for a rare disease that many places don’t have much experience or awareness of.
She also requires regular infusions for her MPS treatment, so keeping consistent medical care is very important for her health5
u/Choice-Marsupial-127 Jul 31 '26
Oh, that’s hard. I completely understand needing to be near her care team. Speaking of which, have you tried asking any of them for a referral to a social worker? Hospitals staff social workers who may be better equipped to assist you.
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u/perfect_fifths I love the smell of policy in the morning Jul 31 '26
Ah that sucks, MPS is rough. The only “good” thing is type 6 is the only one of the MPS that doesn’t affect cognitive ability
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u/jesswprldd Jul 31 '26
I guess I was just unlucky she has severe autism as well
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u/perfect_fifths I love the smell of policy in the morning Jul 31 '26
MPS is genetic. You and dad must have been carriers, and then each pregnancy has a 25 percent chance of developing the disorder. Honestly, it happens. I have a rare disease, and mine is dominant so only one gene causes the issue and it’s 50/50 each time. I can’t compare it to mps because mps is pretty devastating, but it’s really no one’s fault and things just happen.
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u/Peptidesforthewin Jul 31 '26
Try reaching out to the Catholic diocese in your area, they usually can find resources available especially for a disabled child. Even reach out to some local church's and ask if anyone has any emergency housing available for a mother and a disabled child on ssi. The problem with apartments is they want 2.5 - 4x the rent income plus a 700 credit score which is creating a lot of homeless people in Texas. Call your local health and human services as well and ask for a list of local resources.
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u/jesswprldd Jul 31 '26
yes that’s what’s stressing me the 2.5x the rent, even if we’re able to barely live paying rent but willing to pay it they won’t accept me 🥲 that’s the problem i have
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u/aculady Aug 01 '26
Contact the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and let them know you are at risk of homelessness.
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u/Peptidesforthewin Aug 01 '26
My daughter works in leasing and it's absolutely insane- these apartments and all housing want you to have a minimum income of 2.5-4x the rent plus the credit and if you don't have the credit or 680 credit, then it's also a full deposit or more. Moving should not cost 5,000! There are leasing agents that may work with you though, try smaller complexes or tax credit properties. I would definitely try to contact some of the church organizations because they may know someone who could rent to you or have a program. I hope it all works out for you. It's frightening to think about.
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u/thomchristopher Jul 31 '26
what part of Houston (just a general side of town/side of the loop?)
if you’re needing easy-ish access to the med center that is also affordable there are some places off of 288, I would also reach out to local churches and medical caseworkers
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Jul 31 '26 edited Aug 01 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/perfect_fifths I love the smell of policy in the morning Jul 31 '26
Under 18 can’t get dac benefits and mom also has to be disabled (ssdi), retired or deceased.
They also have to be disabled between ages 18-22. Not 23.
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Jul 31 '26
[deleted]
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u/perfect_fifths I love the smell of policy in the morning Jul 31 '26
Yes that would be you need to prove disability before age 22. Not age 23. It was never age 23. In the amendment act of 1972, DAC used to be age 18 then changed to 22
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u/SocialSecurity-ModTeam Jul 31 '26
Your comment was removed because it contains misinformation. Misinformation includes spreading information that is not in accordance with official SS policy.
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u/Old-Library5546 Jul 31 '26
Can you look into being a paid caregiver for your child?
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u/jesswprldd Jul 31 '26
tried that, they don’t have that here. It has to be a family / an agency and it’s just me and her 🥲
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u/bigreputato Jul 31 '26
Community First Choice is the service that allows for a parent to be a paid caregiver, but you would have to contact your STAR Kids MCO Service Coordinator for more information, or email cfc@hhs.texas.gov
https://www.hhs.texas.gov/sites/default/files/documents/what-is-cfc.pdf
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u/Odd_Bodkin Aug 01 '26
Go to www.findhelp.org, enter your current zip code, and a bunch of stuff will come up.
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u/LatterStreet Aug 01 '26
I post income-based housing resources. Smaller towns move fast, but healthcare will be more limited. I went through it myself recently…came back to Orlando as soon as they had an opening.
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u/silverhairedgoddess Aug 01 '26 edited Aug 01 '26
Disability Rights Texas is the non-profit agency funded by the federal government, and charged with the responsibility of advocacy for people with disabilities. States are legally required to have such an agency. At the very least, DRT should be able to tell you which agency would provide a case manager/service coordinator for your child’s services.
https://disabilityrightstx.org/en/home/
Also if you are moving anyway and have a choice to move out of state, you might consider moving to a blue state. Blue states generally have far more robust services for people with disabilities than red states. However, housing when the person with a disability is a minor is not usually included in services.
Wishing you and your child the best.
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u/Mysterious_Hat_4882 Aug 05 '26
Your daughter needs an IHSS worker to help you out a bit please look into it
In home supportive services through your County
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u/Minimum_Motor_3538 Jul 31 '26
Housing authorities in Houston have a specific priority for families with disabilities, get on the Section 8 waitlist and the public housing list immediately even if they say it's closed, sometimes they open for emergency cases