Get a free credit report from each of the major credit bureaus—Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion—once a year at www.annualcreditreport.com. Review the reports to see if you have major debts that might make it hard for you to lease a home. If you have state or federal tax judgments, learn how to get on a payment plan.

This is the best way to build your credit. Check your credit score online (for example, at creditkarma.com or Quizzle.com). Apply for a secured credit card if you don’t have much credit history. Try to keep the credit balance under 30% of your credit limit for each of your credit cards.

Write down your household earnings and how much is spent monthly . If your spending is more than your income, determine what spending is a necessity and what is not.

If eligible for food stamps, SSI, SSDIor other benefits, apply for them.

New voucher holders in our program must live in an Opportunity Area for at least two years. These are areas with good schools, jobs, and low crime throughout the Baltimore region in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard Counties, as well as in Baltimore City.