Independence for Foster Youth in Washington State

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How Much Rent Can I Afford?

To live successfully on your own you must budget.  Even before you begin your housing search, the first and most important step is to determine how much rent you can afford. There is no point in applying for housing if you can’t afford to pay the rent.

Budget worksheet – Microsoft Excel file – if you do not have Excel installed on your computer, you can download the free Excel Viewer.

  1. Calculate Income:  You will need to determine your monthly income amount. Income can come from many different sources.  For example, you may have a job or you may be receiving housing assistance through the Extended Foster Care Program, or you may have received financial aid that helps with the cost of housing.
  2. Calculate Non-Housing Expenses:  Non-Housing expenses can include food, transportation, laundry, clothing, entertainment, toiletries, and other expenses.  If you have children this would also include diapers, childcare, clothes, food and medicines.
  3. Calculate Housing Costs:  The housing budge is the amount that will be available to pay rent as well as utilities.  When starting a housing search, it is important to know how much the typical monthly utilities will cost in your area so this can be factored in when determining if the housing is affordable.
  4. Calculate One-Time Expenses:  There are several costs that must be paid when first moving into an apartment.  When looking for housing it is a good idea to start saving money so that the funds will be there to cover these costs when you find housing.  Below are some of the one-time costs that need to be planned for:
    1. Application Fees
    2. Security Deposit
    3. Utilities, Phone, Internet, Cable
    4. Moving Costs
    5. Furniture and Household Items (see chart below)

 

Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom Emergency Furniture Other
Dishes

Utensils

Pots & Pans

Strainer

Dish Towels

Microwave

Toaster

Coffee Pot

Dish Soap

Waste Basket

Can Opener

Shower Curtain

Towels

Wash Cloths

Waste Basket

Toilet Bowl Brush

Plunger

Sheets

Pillow Cases

Blankets

Pillows

Curtains

Hangers

Mirror

First Aid Kit

Flashlight

Candles & Matches

Canned Food

Gallon of water

Battery Powered Radio

Bed Frame

Mattress

Sofa

Lamps

Television

Dresser

Nightstand

Kitchen Table

Chairs

Desk

Broom

Dust Pan

Mop & Bucket

Garbage Bags

Cleaning Supplies

Laundry Detergent

Bleach

Ironing Board

Gloves

Scissors

Light Bulbs

Search

Prepare to Live on Your Own

  • How Much Rent Can I Afford?
  • Selecting a Roommate
  • Rental Rights and Responsibilities
  Questions or comments about this page? Can't find the information you need? Email Kathy Ramsay.