Receiving assistance from the government can be a tedious task, and applying for a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher is no different. So where do you start? How do you actually obtain an application?
I felt it’s important to do the research and simplified the entire process for you.
What are Housing Choice Vouchers?
Intro
Created in 1974, the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program was established to provide affordable housing options for the elderly, disabled, and low-income families. Funding for this program comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Then a Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) is responsible for administering overseeing the local process.
If you are selected as a participant in the program, you would be able to select an eligibly living space that best meets the needs of your family. Each month you would pay 30% of the household’s adjusted monthly income directly to your landlord, and PHA would pay the remaining balance to your landlord.
How do I Know if I qualify?
Eligibility into the program is based on the total annual gross income and family size. If your income does not exceed 30% of the median income in your area it is likely your application will be approved. Due to laws, 75% of voucher applicants must be provided housing vouchers.
If you are unsure if you meet the income requirements your local PHA can assist with providing income details on your local community. Check out this link to find out more information about eligibility!
What is the Application Process Like?
Once you start the application process the PHA will gather personal information to determine your eligibility. They will need your family income, assets, and your family composition- if you have a spouse, or kids living with you?
Be sure you are honest with the PHA office! They will verify everything you say with your bank, your employer, and any other local agencies!
I’m Ready to Apply! Now What?
Once you are ready to apply for a Housing Choice Voucher you will need to contact your local PHA. Here is a link to find the nearest PHA office in your area. The application is free but be sure to check with your local PHA office to determine how to best submit the application.
After you apply you will either be rejected, or placed on a waitlist. If you are placed on the waitlist be patient, current applicants have experienced 1-2 years before getting approved. During this time make sure you are checking your status and being responsive to any request made by the PHA.
I’m Finally Approved!
After some time on the waitlist, you’ve finally gotten the news that you are off the waitlist and now you can start the process of looking for your new home. Rest assure the PHA requires that your new landlord provides safe, sanitary, and decent housing and the unit must pass a housing quality set by the PHA.
You will then sign a year-long lease with the landlord, and the landlord will sign a contract with the PHA. Each party has specific obligations to adhere to throughout the lease term. You will need to make sure that you pay your portion of the rent on time each month, keep the unit in good standing, and immediately notify the PHA if there are any income or family changes.
Conclusion
Getting selected for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher is no easy feat. However, once you ensure you are eligible and complete your application at your nearest PHA –linked here- you’ve already completed the hard part! Once you are off the waitlist you can start the process of moving to your new home.
Below is the step by step guide with some helpful links.
- Review eligibility requirements: #1 Requirements | #2 Requirements | #3 Yearly Inspections | #4 Hud
- Contact your local PHA office to complete your application
- Wait….
- Start looking for approved housing in your area!
I hope this was helpful and provided you all the information you needed, but if I missed anything or if you have another question drop a comment below and I’ll be happy to assist!
I also apply in2019for 2bed and 2bath still waiting and in this time I have a big problem after July I don’t have a shelter my wife is hart problem and she is sugar patient and me COPD patient let see when I get shelter
Hello Robin,
We are sorry to hear that!
Anyways, you can check your status here: https://www.waitlistcheck.com/
And for a faster help, you can go to your nearest PHA office and ask for tips and guides how to get an immediate help.
There’s a lot of programs right now that might be fit in your situation, you can read this article here: https://affordablehousingheroes.com/apply-for-section-8/
Hope it helps, thank you! Take care.
I looking forward to get my section 8 I apply online
Hi Melinda,
To apply for section 8 online, please visit the HUD website to get started.
3/10/2022: it is so sad you have to go through these kinds of changes just to try to get a place to live as for myself I’ve been trying to get a place to live for over 3 years I’ve been homeless that long I had kidney surgery December 2nd 2021 in that bad storm rain we had last December and I contracted hypothermia on top of it here it is now March 10th 2022 and still nothing has been righteously done it’s sad you have computers and all of these are the changes to help you work with people and get things done quicker then you’re really doing and everybody is blaming things on the pandemic so the more they blamed the pandemic the less they have to do and that’s sad I have been sleeping in a room on the streets but you know what all of you who have been in these positions to help people you’re going to pay for what you do it’s just a matter of time. You take people’s information and some of you may even use it for your own personal use and other to jam that person up and you know I know and God knows it is wrong you entrusted with people’s information that somehow mysteriously get away from you as the intake worker person it comes up disappearing or ends up in the shredder just as if that person has not even existed but as I stated before you will pay for this you would pay dearly for it because trust is something you have to give add have honorably to do the job right. You two will have a day and when that day come don’t sit up and cry because you have do so much wrong to other people it’s called being put to the test to see how well you can hold up under these kinds of conditions.
Hi, getting approved for the Section 8 housing voucher takes a lot of time and you may need to keep checking with the PHA office or you can submit a new application. We do all we can here to give you the best information for affordable housing assistance.