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What You'll Learn in the Canton Housing Options Guide

The Canton Housing Options Guide is a free informational resource designed to help people understand the different ways to find housing in Canton. This guide presents factual information about various housing programs, resources, and options that exist in the Canton area. The guide does not determine who can access housing programs, nor does it process any applications or connect you directly to services. Instead, it educates readers about the landscape of housing options so they can make informed decisions about where to look and what questions to ask.

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The guide covers multiple categories of housing information relevant to Canton residents and people considering moving to the area. It explains how different housing programs work, what types of housing exist in the community, and where to find more detailed information from the actual organizations that run these programs. By reading through this resource, you'll gain knowledge about the various pathways people use to secure housing in Canton.

Canton, located in Stark County, Ohio, has a population of approximately 70,000 people according to recent U.S. Census data. Like many mid-sized cities in the Midwest, Canton faces housing challenges including affordability and availability in certain neighborhoods. Understanding the full range of options available in your community is the first step in making housing decisions that work for your situation.

Practical Takeaway: Use this guide as a starting point to learn the names of programs and organizations involved in Canton housing. Write down the organizations mentioned that interest you, then reach out to them directly for their current information and specific details about how their programs work.

Public Housing and Housing Authority Programs in Canton

The Canton Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) operates public housing units throughout Canton. Public housing refers to apartment buildings and homes owned and managed by the government specifically to provide affordable rental options. The CMHA manages hundreds of housing units across the city. Public housing comes with income limits, meaning that to live in these units, your household income must fall below certain thresholds set by the federal government. These thresholds vary based on household size.

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For example, in 2024, the income limit for a single person in Stark County was approximately $39,200 per year, while a family of four had an income limit around $54,900 annually. These numbers change each year. Public housing rents are calculated based on a percentage of your household income, typically around 30 percent. This means if your income is lower, your rent payment is lower. The CMHA maintains waiting lists for public housing units, and these lists can be lengthy in some areas due to high demand and limited inventory.

Beyond traditional public housing, the CMHA also administers housing choice vouchers, sometimes called Section 8 vouchers. These vouchers provide rental subsidies that allow people to rent from private landlords rather than living in government-owned buildings. The voucher covers a portion of the rent, and the tenant pays the remaining amount. Housing choice vouchers can offer more choice in where you live compared to public housing, though not all landlords participate in the program.

The CMHA website contains information about current waiting lists, how to request an application, and what documents you may need to provide. The organization also has an office in Canton where staff can answer questions about their programs. Understanding how the Housing Authority works is important because these programs represent one major source of affordable housing in the city.

Practical Takeaway: Contact the Canton Metropolitan Housing Authority directly at their local office to learn about current waiting list status for public housing and housing vouchers. Ask what the process involves and what documents you'll need to gather.

Low-Income Tax Credit Properties and Affordable Rental Housing

Beyond public housing, Canton has numerous apartment complexes and rental properties that receive funding or tax incentives to keep rents affordable. The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) is a federal program that encourages developers and property owners to rent units at below-market rates. When a property participates in this program, units must be rented to people with incomes below certain percentages of the area median income—typically 50, 60, or 80 percent of the area median income.

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In Stark County, the area median income for a family of four is approximately $73,400. A property offering units at 60 percent of area median income would be aimed at families earning around $44,000 per year. These properties look and operate like regular apartment complexes—tenants sign leases, pay rent monthly, and have standard tenant rights. The main difference is that rent is kept lower through government incentives or subsidies.

Canton has dozens of properties with affordable units. Some are older converted homes, while others are newer apartment complexes. Finding these properties requires knowing where to look. Community development organizations, the Canton Housing Authority, and online databases maintained by state housing agencies list properties with affordable units. The Ohio Housing Finance Agency maintains a searchable directory of affordable housing properties across the state, which is free to use online.

These properties typically have their own leasing offices and rental processes. Rents at LIHTC properties in Canton generally range from $500 to $900 monthly, though this varies by property, location, and unit type. Income limits may apply to some or all units at a property. The guide explains how to find these properties and what questions to ask landlords about affordability programs and income requirements.

Practical Takeaway: Visit the Ohio Housing Finance Agency website and search their property directory for Canton. Create a list of affordable properties in neighborhoods you're interested in, then contact each property's leasing office to ask about current availability and income limits.

Community Development and Homeownership Programs

For people interested in buying rather than renting, Canton has community development organizations that work on homeownership. These nonprofits often offer programs designed to help people build credit, save for down payments, and learn about the homebuying process. The Stark County Land Reutilization Corporation (also known as the Land Bank) works to return vacant and abandoned properties to productive use, sometimes offering them at reduced prices or through special programs.

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Several organizations in Canton provide homebuyer education classes. These classes teach about mortgages, inspections, insurance, property taxes, and the overall homebuying process. Some organizations also offer down payment assistance or help connecting people to favorable mortgage products. The Canton area has experienced significant population shifts over the past few decades—Canton's population was over 110,000 in 1970 but is now around 70,000. This means housing inventory includes many older homes, some of which can be purchased at lower prices than in faster-growing communities.

For people with lower incomes, there are homebuying programs with special terms. Some are funded through the Community Development Block Grant program, a federal funding stream that states and cities receive to support housing and community development. Programs may offer favorable interest rates, down payment assistance, or help with closing costs. Income limits typically apply to these programs, just as they do with rental assistance programs.

The guide provides information about which organizations in Canton offer homebuying education and assistance. It explains the difference between fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages, what a down payment is, and why homebuyers need to understand their credit scores. Understanding these concepts helps people make informed decisions about whether homeownership is right for their situation and what steps to take.

Practical Takeaway: If you're interested in homeownership, contact Canton community development nonprofits to ask about free homebuyer education classes and available programs. Attend a class before meeting with any lenders to better understand the homebuying process.

Emergency Housing Assistance and Rapid Rehousing

For people facing housing emergencies—such as eviction, homelessness, or sudden loss of shelter—Canton has several resources. The guide explains both temporary emergency shelter and rapid rehousing programs. Emergency shelter typically provides a bed for the night and basic services. Rapid rehousing programs work to move people from homelessness directly into permanent housing, usually combining short-term financial assistance with case management services.

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Stark County has multiple homeless service providers. The Stark Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (SARTA) operates a homeless outreach program. Aultman Hospital and other health systems often have social workers who connect people to housing resources. Community Action Agency programs provide emergency financial assistance for housing costs like back rent or utility bills. These programs vary in what they cover and who they serve, but collectively they represent a safety net for people facing urgent housing crises.

The guide explains the difference between prevention (helping someone avoid eviction or homelessness), rapid rehousing (moving someone quickly from homelessness to