How to Use This Site with Your Clients
Every resource on Waythrough Project is written in plain language and designed to be shared directly with clients. Whether you're preparing for an intake meeting, helping a client understand their housing benefits, or coaching them through an appeal, you'll find tools and guides here that you can use immediately.
Here are some ways to integrate Waythrough Project into your work:
- Bookmark specific guides to reference during client meetings or to email to clients after sessions
- Print PDFs from the downloads section to give clients something tangible to take home
- Share the eligibility screener link during intake to quickly identify which programs a client may qualify for
- Text specific guide URLs to clients as follow-up resources after you've discussed a topic together
- Use interactive tools to walk clients through calculations and decisions step-by-step
Downloadable Handouts
Print these PDFs and hand them to clients. They're formatted to be clear on paper and easy to reference at home.
- Document Checklist — A complete list of documents clients should gather for housing applications, with explanations of what each one is and why it matters
- Inspection Prep Checklist — Step-by-step guidance for clients preparing for a housing inspection, including what to expect and what landlords can and cannot require
- Waiting List Action Plan — A worksheet to help clients develop a realistic plan while on waiting lists, including ways to stay engaged and build their application strength
- Recertification Prep — A checklist of documents and information clients need before their recertification meeting, so there are no surprises
- Rights Quick Reference — A one-page summary of tenant rights and fair housing protections clients can keep in their wallet or on their phone
Client-Facing Tools
Use these interactive tools during client meetings to explain concepts, run calculations, and help clients make decisions.
- Eligibility Screener — Use during intake to quickly identify which programs a client may qualify for. The screener walks through basic criteria and shows results instantly
- Know Your Numbers Dashboard — Walk through the rent calculation with clients so they understand their tenant portion payment (TTP) and how it was calculated
- Budget Calculator — Help clients build a realistic monthly budget during housing counseling sessions. Shows where money is going and where adjustments might be needed
- Benefits Calculator — Show clients how their benefits interact and help identify potential benefit cliffs that could affect their housing stability
- Program Comparison Tool — Compare programs side-by-side when helping clients choose between housing options or decide which program to apply for first
- Letter Generator — Generate professional letters for repair requests, reasonable accommodation requests, and housing appeals. Clients can customize and print them
Quick Reference Guides
These guides are written for clients but are essential reading for professionals too. Keep them bookmarked for quick reference when answering questions or prepping for client meetings.
- How Your Rent Is Calculated — The definitive guide to rent calculations, including TTP, minimum rent, reasonable accommodation, and maximum rent
- How Recertification Works — What happens at recertification, why income changes matter, and how to prepare
- How Benefits Interact — Clear explanations of how different assistance programs work together and where benefit cliffs occur
- Document Checklist — The documents most commonly needed for housing applications and how to help clients locate them
- Reasonable Accommodation Requests — Step-by-step guidance on submitting accommodation requests, including what makes a strong request and how to follow up
- Appeal a Housing Denial — What to do if a client's application is denied, including appeals processes and how to strengthen a reapplication
- Source of Income Protections — Protections that shield clients receiving housing vouchers and assistance from discrimination
Print-Friendly Resources
Visit the print-friendly resources page to access versions of guides optimized for printing. All pages on Waythrough Project are designed to print cleanly — use your browser's print function (Ctrl+P or Cmd+P) to save any page as a PDF or print to paper.
State-Specific Resources
Housing rules, assistance programs, and tenant protections vary by state. Visit the state-specific resources section to find local information for your client's location, including:
- State and local housing agencies and how to contact them
- Legal aid organizations that serve your area
- Tenant rights organizations and hotlines
- State-specific fair housing protections
- Links to state housing voucher programs and waitlist information
Spanish Language Resources
Many of Waythrough Project's key resources are available in Spanish. Visit the Spanish language site to find guides, tools, and downloadable handouts for Spanish-speaking clients. You can share these resources directly or use them during bilingual sessions.
Report an Issue or Suggest a Resource
If you find an error on the site, notice something that's outdated, or think there's a resource we should add, please let us know. Email [email protected] with your feedback. We're always looking to make Waythrough Project more useful for professionals and the clients they serve.