Section 811 Housing Program for Persons with Disabilities

Section 811 Housing Program for Persons with Disabilities

Section 811 is a government program that allows persons living with disabilities to live as independently as they can. The government provides these persons with affordable and subsidized housing options and easy access to services that can help with support.

Who qualifies for Section 811 Housing?

To qualify for Section 811 housing, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Have at least one member of the household (an adult) living with a disability. Disability includes physical disability, developmental disability, and chronic mental illness. Single individuals and families without children also qualify.
  • Applicants of any citizenship can apply, except the apartment has different housing program requirements.
  • Your household must make 50% less than the Area Median Income or 30% less for properties built after 2021.
  • You must meet the HUD Rental Assistance Income Qualifications.
  • Have a good track record as a tenant in other properties. Your former landlords may be contacted as references.
  • Have no criminal record or conviction of an offense, as previously convicted criminals may find it challenging to access Section 811 housing.
  • Must provide accurate information at all times during your application.

How do I apply to a Section 811 Waiting List?

To apply the Section 811 waiting list, here are the essential steps you need to take:

Step 1: First, find a Section 811 apartment in your area and contact the persons in charge via a phone call or send a message. Next, apply for Section 811 housing via any of these three methods: Online, mail, or in the housing authority’s office. To be on the safer side, look out for the preferred application method for your housing office and choose that method.

Step 2: Fill in the application form with accurate information. Usually, Section 811 applications require the name, gender, date of birth, and Social Security Number, income, and assets of members of your household. It may also require your previous housing history.

Step 3: Submit the application based on the housing authority’s instructions to avoid disqualification.

What Do I Do After Applying for a Section 811?

  1. Wait for one or two weeks for your application to be processed. You can confirm from the property manager how long the process usually takes.
  2. Confirm your waiting list status with the property manager. If there is none, move into the housing unit that has been provided for you.
  3. If you are on a waiting list, find out the estimated waiting list time from the property manager to help you keep abreast of your application.
  4. Check in periodically to follow up with your application. If you applied online, correspondences would be sent via email, so look out for them. Reply immediately when they contact you so that you can show your interest in the unit.
  5. Once a housing unit is available, you will be called for a final, in-person eligibility interview with the landlord or property manager.
  6. After Step 1 – 5 is done, you can now move into your housing unit. a decent and safe house.

FAQs

What is the Section 811 voucher?

A Section 811 voucher is a federal rent subsidy for low-income tenants living with disability. The Housing and Community Development Act of 1992, authorized vouchers for eligible households who qualified to receive Section 811 housing benefits.

Also known as “Mainstream vouchers,” Section 811 voucher is administered under the same rules as the Section 8 voucher.

When you receive a voucher, you are responsible for finding a preferred housing unit of your choice where the owner or landlord agrees to allow you to rent under the program. To qualify for this voucher, you must have a meager income and need a decent and safe house.

Is Section 8 and 811 the same thing?

Under The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), numerous programs offer housing assistance.

Section 8 housing is a government program that allows landlords and homeowners to rent out their property at a subsidized and affordable rate for low-income tenants.

Section 811, however, offers the same benefits but to low-income persons living with a disability.

What is a Section 811 request?

Just like in Section 8 housing, Section 811 request or Request for Tenancy Approval (RTA) is sent to the housing authority when applicants need a Section 811 housing unit approved.

When the household submits this RTA, the Public Housing Agency (PHA) will contact the unit operator to schedule an inspection. This process is usually carried out within 15 days of submitting the request, and the tenants are notified.

33 comments

  1. I am 47year old female,white,03/14/1974 I am disabled,I receive $560.00 from supplemental security and $125.00 food stamps. All fingers and toes are dislocated .my #********** can you help me

    1. Hi Angela,

      Sorry to hear that. Please contact your local housing authority for inquiries on what housing benefits you qualify for.

  2. I don't know how to apply to emergency housing with disability I got cancer I need help plz I been fighting for 8 yrs I really need help *** *** **** my ### God bless you

    1. Hi michelle,

      To apply for the emergency housing voucher for people with disability know as the Section 811, you need to submit an application by visiting your local housing authority to get started. You can also access the application online by visiting the HUD website for further information.

    2. I don’t know how to apply for housing under 811
      I’m a disable and don’t get SSI only sad I only get $750 a month with nomore income

      1. Hello Raymond,

        We are sorry to hear that! We can suggest applying for the Affordable Housing for People with Disabilities. And to use it, we recommend contacting or going to your local PHA Office and asking for the steps on how to apply and what the requirements are.

        However, you can also get more information about this program from this article: https://affordablehousingheroes.com/disabled-people/

        Thank you!

  3. I am a disabled senior citizen, I am in a HUD apartment, The 811 project does apply to People 62 & older doesn’t it, I am a disabled Veteran, section 8 totally messed up my program, I need emergency 811 voucher because if I pay whole rent I wouldn’t have utilities, I am a really disabled citizen, medicine is only ability to stand a walk for very long. I am not telling you to much, I said they made a mistake, that means no Christmas either. Mr. Danny 62 years old.

    1. We are sorry to hear about this, but for you to apply for the Section 811, an application must be filled and submitted by you. If you find it difficult to go to a physical office of the PHA, you can access the application online by clicking here.

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