In 2025, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released 60,000 new Housing Choice Vouchers — also known as Section 8 — to local housing agencies across the country. That was one of the largest single releases of rental help in recent memory.

Now it's 2026, and the situation has changed. Some good news, some serious warnings. This article explains where things stand today, what it means for your family, and what steps you should take right now.

What Is Section 8?

Section 8 is the government's main program to help low-income families pay rent. Instead of moving into a government building, you get a voucher that you take to a private landlord. You find your own home — an apartment, house, or townhouse — and the voucher helps cover the cost.

With most vouchers, you pay about 30% of your monthly income toward rent. The voucher pays the rest, up to a limit set by your local housing office. The program is run by over 3,300 local public housing agencies and funded by the federal government through HUD.

Key numbers for 2026:

  • 2.3 million+ households currently receive Section 8 vouchers
  • 3,300+ local housing agencies run the program
  • Income limits went up an average of 3.4% in 2026 (effective May 1, 2026)

The 60,000 Vouchers — What Happened?

The 60,000 new vouchers were distributed to local housing agencies throughout mid-2025. For many families, this opened a door that had been shut for years. Some cities reopened waitlists that had been closed for a decade or more.

But here's the reality in 2026: those vouchers moved fast. Demand for housing help is far greater than the supply of vouchers. Families who got on a waitlist in time now have a chance. Those who waited are starting over.

The bigger story now is what's happening with federal funding — because it directly affects whether new vouchers will come, and whether current voucher holders will keep their help.

What's Happening with HUD Funding in 2026?

The Trump administration proposed cutting HUD's budget by roughly $33 billion for fiscal year 2026 — a cut of about 44%. More than $26 billion of that would come from rental assistance programs like Section 8. If passed as proposed, analysts estimate this could result in more than 400,000 fewer families receiving vouchers.

As of June 2026, Congress has not passed a final HUD budget for FY2026. The program is running on prior-year funding. However, lawmakers authorized over $77.3 billion for HUD programs — up $7.2 billion from the year before — which gives some hope that existing vouchers will be renewed.

The National Low Income Housing Coalition says the increased funding should be enough to renew help for people already receiving it. But it does not guarantee new vouchers for families still waiting.

What this means for you:

  • If you already have a voucher, keep it. Stay current on all paperwork and re-certifications.
  • If you are on a waitlist, stay on it and keep your contact information updated.
  • If you have not applied yet, apply to any open waitlists as soon as possible.

Updated 2026 Income Limits — You May Qualify Now

Every year, HUD updates the income limits that decide who can receive a voucher. On May 1, 2026, HUD released its official 2026 income limits, with an average increase of 3.4% across the country.

This matters because some families who were slightly over the limit last year may now qualify. In many cities, a family of four can earn $50,000 or more and still be eligible.

To check the limit for your area, visit HUD's income limits tool.

Fair Market Rents Also Updated for 2026

Fair Market Rents are the numbers HUD uses to set how much a voucher can cover in each area. They went up by an average of 2.8% for fiscal year 2026, effective October 1, 2025.

In plain terms: in most areas, your voucher covers a little more rent than it did last year. However, some housing agencies — especially in expensive cities — are still struggling to cover costs with available federal funding.

Where Things Stand with Waitlists Right Now

Hundreds of Section 8 waitlists are open across the country right now — but many others are closing due to budget pressure and overwhelming demand.

Real examples from 2026:

  • San Diego, CA: The waitlist closed on February 1, 2026. It had grown to over 76,000 people, with no one pulled off the list for more than three years.
  • Saint Paul, MN: The waitlist opened June 12–18, 2026, accepting online applications with 3,500 spots via lottery.
  • New Jersey: The state housing agency is accepting pre-applications online, with 20,000 lottery spots available.

Waitlists open and close quickly — sometimes in just a few days. Missing an opening can mean waiting years for another chance.

Tip: Look beyond your city. Your main city may have a closed or very long waitlist. Check nearby counties and smaller towns too. Smaller housing authorities often have shorter waits.

You can find open waitlists and your local housing agency.

Who Can Qualify for Section 8?

More people qualify than most people think. You do not have to be unemployed. Working families often qualify if a large share of their income goes to rent. The program helps:

  • Families with children
  • Elderly individuals on fixed incomes
  • People with disabilities
  • Working adults spending more than 30% of income on rent
  • Veterans and survivors of domestic violence
  • People transitioning out of homelessness

To check eligibility for your household size and county, use HUD's income limits tool.

What You Should Do Right Now — 5 Steps

Step 1: Check if you're already on a waitlist. If you applied before, contact your local housing agency right away. Ask if your application is still active, if your contact info is current, and if they've sent you anything recently.

Step 2: Update your information. Make sure your housing agency has your current mailing address, phone number, and email. Missing a letter or notice could cost you your spot on the list.

Step 3: Search for open waitlists near you. Don't just check your main city. Search neighboring counties and smaller cities. You can apply to multiple housing agencies at the same time.

Step 4: Gather your documents now. You'll need: photo ID, Social Security cards for all household members, recent pay stubs or benefit letters, tax returns, birth certificates for children, and proof of your current address. Having these ready means you can apply the moment a list opens.

Step 5: Apply everywhere you can. If you get a voucher in one area and need to move, the program allows you to transfer it to a new location. So apply broadly.

If You Were Denied Before — Try Again

Don't give up if your application was turned down in the past. Income limits change every year, and your household situation may have changed too. It is always worth reapplying.

Common reasons people were denied that may no longer apply:

  • Income slightly above the old limit (which may now be higher)
  • Missing paperwork or incomplete application
  • Household size or composition has changed

Helpful Resources

Looking for open waitlists near you?

Our partner site Section8Search.org makes it easy to search available Section 8 properties and open waitlists nationwide — for free. It's built on official HUD data and updated regularly so you never miss an opening. Visit section8search.org to start your search today.