Introduction
Unlike other animals, humans require some basic needs to be satisfied to maintain at least a minimal standard of living. We must have these fundamental necessities to exist, live, and flourish.
These demands drive our behavior, which in turn determines how we evolve. The shelter is one of those necessities. Yet, not all human beings can meet this basic standard of living, so the Section 8 Rental Assistance Program was developed as a government intervention mechanism to help man meet this essential human need.
The Housing Choice Voucher Program also known as Section 8 is a federal government program for enabling low-income families, the disabled, and the elderly to afford housing.
- In addition to receiving housing vouchers to assist with their rental payments, participants can select housing that complies with the program’s requirements.
The federal rental assistance program is funded through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), where very low-income individuals, families, the elderly, and the disabled receive assistance to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market.
As stated, this assistance program is only intended to help elderly, disabled, and low-income families afford to house.
Thus, those who are qualified for this assistive program are provided with a Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) After they are deemed eligible for the program by their local Public Housing Authority (PHA).
In What Ways Does Section 8 Assist with Housing Expenses?
Local public housing agencies (PHAs), which are supported by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), manage Section 8 housing vouchers.
The local PHA is responsible for setting the amount of housing assistance that a participant or participant’s family receives and for paying the landlord directly on the family’s behalf.
Yet, the program is only supportive, thus a participating person or family will equally contribute in some ways. Therefore a participating family must spend at least 30% of its monthly income on rent and utilities, according to HUD.
The PHA pays a housing subsidy directly to the landlord on behalf of the participating family.
What Programs are offered?
The Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV) and the Project-Based Voucher Program (PBV), both of which fall under the general purview of Section 8 or the Housing Choice Voucher Program, are covered under these aid programs.
Both are managed by the government’s Housing and Development Unit, or HUD. Although they have many things in common, they also differ in some ways.
Both programs have strict eligibility requirements that are mostly focused on family size and income because they are only available to low-income people who need help paying their rent.
Project-Based Voucher Program
As opposed to the Housing Choice Voucher Program, the project-based voucher program is linked to certain units inside a larger complex.
And what we mean by that is straightforward: the vouchers for this are not provided to the tenant, but rather are attached to the specific unit under a contract with the unit owners.
The affordable housing units included in this program are those whose landlords have agreements with state or local public housing authorities to rent the apartments to low-income families and individuals.
As part of the project-based voucher program, PHA contracts with the owner to assist a set number of units over a set period. To fill openings, the PHA refers families from its waiting list to the project owner. A family who leaves the project-based unit has no rights to continued housing assistance because the aid is linked to the unit.
The Housing Choice Voucher Program
The program for tenant-based housing is by far the biggest. Almost 2.3 million American households have benefited from its aid, which includes housing help and community improvement.
It provides more flexibility in terms of where a participant might live after being accepted into the program than the project-based one does. In terms of price, it could be more expensive for a candidate than the project-based one.
- For instance, a project-based payment may not exceed 30% of an applicant’s income, although an applicant’s income contribution may exceed 30% for the housing voucher program.
How to Apply for the Program
Get in touch with your neighborhood PHA to apply for a housing voucher. Unless the PHA can help you straight away, you can be put on a waiting list if your application is accepted. Find your local HUD office for more assistance.
How to Qualify for Section 8 Housing
The eligibility for Section 8 is based on four major requirements. A household must meet these requirements to be considered eligible for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher by a local Public Housing Authority also known as a PHA.
These 4 main requirements are:
- Type of Household
- Financial Status
- Citizenship Status
- Background, Rental, and Criminal History
Type of Household
Any candidate must first and foremost provide a detailed description of their family status. A family as a unit is defined by The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as a group of people who live together; a single person, who may be elderly, disabled, near-elderly, or any other single person.
A family, whether it has children or not (a child who is temporarily away from the family because they have been placed in foster care is considered a member of the family), a family that is elderly or nearly so, a family that is disabled, a family that has been uprooted, or the last tenant family member are examples of this group.
Furthermore, a family consists of “two or more individuals who are not related by blood, marriage, adoption, or other operation of law but who either can demonstrate that they have lived together previously or certify that each individual’s income and other resources will be available to meet the needs of the family.
The aforementioned makes it obvious that a family does not necessarily consist of blood relatives; hence, individuals, single people, and roommates might be deemed a family by HUD. So, the term “household” could better explain how HUD defines a family.
When one or more family members are indicated as the head of the household on the application for a Housing Choice Voucher and are at least 62 years old, the household is considered to be senior or elderly. A senior household can also be used to describe such a family.
While a handicapped household is one where at least one of the heads of the household mentioned on the Housing Choice Voucher application is disabled.
Financial Status
Housing choice voucher eligibility is heavily influenced by a family’s income level in proportion to the local area median income because the main objective of Section 8 is to help low-income family earners pay rent.
The HUD gives local PHAs three fundamental grade levels to employ in establishing an applicant’s income level.
- Extremely low-income: This consists of families who apply for Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher with an income level that is 30% of the area’s median income levels.
- Very Low-income: These are applicants whose income is 50% of the area’s median income.
- Low-income: These are applicants with income that is the equivalent of 80% of the area’s median income levels.
It is important to note that the PHA will heavily rely on the family size provided on a section 8 Housing Choice Voucher application to determine which income level is assigned to the applicant.
- For instance, a family with numerous adults earning a total of $50k would be regarded as having a lesser income than a household with only one adult earning $40k.
Furthermore, the HUD has mandated that applicants who are regarded as severely low-income shall receive the majority of section 8 resources.
What Amounts to Family’s Earnings?
The primary source of money for the PHA is what must be declared on taxes, which inevitably has an impact on the income levels of households.
Salary, commissions, tips, investments, inheritances, insurance payouts, settlements from legal proceedings, retirement, social security, disability, welfare payments, workers’ compensation awards, etc. are some examples of these sources of income.
- It should be noted that only adults applying are obligated to disclose their income.
Status of Citizenship Qualification
A potential recipient of a section 8 Housing Choice Voucher must be a US citizen or have an acceptable immigration status to qualify. You must also follow these instructions for the local PHA to verify if your family qualifies for Section 8 benefits even though you are not a US citizen:
- A signed document stating that you have eligible immigration.
- Immigration and Naturalization Service documents (INS).
- Agree and sign a release of your INS information that will be used for the sole purpose of determining your section 8 eligibility.
Criminal History, Rental History, And Background.
All family members’ criminal histories and records will be thoroughly investigated. Several criminal offenses will automatically disqualify an application.
Which are:
- Family members who have been evicted from a home in the last three years due to drug-related convictions will not be eligible for section 8 housing.
- Any members of the family who have been found guilty of producing meth in subsidized housing are ineligible.
- Any family member must be permanently registered as a sex offender due to their crimes.
According to HUD’s regulations, each PHA will interview applicants for section 8 housing choice vouchers and follow its qualification process. Other forms of paperwork will also be required to support the eligibility requirements.
These records could be birth certificates, salary stubs, or tax returns. Contact your local Public Housing Authority to get the application and learn more about the Section 8 Housing Voucher Program and its criteria.
On the website of the nearby Public Housing Authority, you can find some information.
What Is Section 8’s Income Limit?
Specifics about the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher income cap vary from city to city and country to country. For instance, the income threshold in California and Los Angeles is different. So, a candidate must establish contact with the neighborhood’s Public Housing Authority.
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) often publishes the median income levels on a federal scale, but they usually contain locally low-income limitations, and the local Public Housing Authority uses these limits to establish eligibility.
Very low-income (equal to 30% of the median area income), very low-income (equivalent to 50% of the median area income), and low-income (equivalent to 80% of the median area income) are the annual income restrictions set by HUD based on family size.
Only households that fulfill the extremely low and very low-income requirements are qualified for Section 8 aid.
However, the low-income restrictions are only applied when owners switch from a project-based scheme to a tenant-based program, under certain conditions.
Also, 75% of the program’s vouchers—i.e., those with earnings below 30% of the median region income—must be awarded to applicants from extremely low-income households, according to Public Housing.
Discrimination in Section 8 Housing
Regrettably, discrimination still exists in Section 8 housing. Discrimination in housing can take many different forms, including discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, and religion, as well as poor income, disabilities, and even having children.
Despite their ability to pay the rent, this housing discrimination might occasionally keep voucher holders from being taken into account for an apartment.
Thankfully, housing advocates and the Biden administration are actively working to improve outdated legislation and ensure that Section 8 residents are protected from all types of discrimination under Section 8 Housing Vouchers.
Including inclusionary zoning is one of the ways the Biden administration aims to reduce housing discrimination. A mixed-income neighborhood is encouraged and produced by inclusionary zoning, which refers to policies and practices that seek to provide incentives for the inclusion of affordable housing units in new developments.
At the same time, the supply of affordable housing is increased. Additionally, it aims to promote inclusivity and economic diversity in the housing industry.
Inclusionary zoning regulations were initially created to particularly combat a lengthy history of “exclusionary zoning” regulations that consolidated racial and economic division.
Also, the Biden administration plans to put an end to “redlining” to combat discrimination in Section 8 housing. Redlining is the practice of denying or charging extra for the same services based on a person’s color, ethnicity, religion, or any other factor.
The HUD provided examples of what constitutes housing discrimination on their website: Examples of housing discrimination.
Finally, the Public Housing Authority treats matters or issues relating to housing discrimination seriously and urgently. So, if you have any house relating complaints, it is of great importance to file a complaint with your PHA office as soon as possible.
People with Disabilities and Their Particular Needs
Apart from prejudice, people with disabilities have unique needs that must be satisfied if they are to benefit fully from the housing help that these programs provide.
Without appropriate changes or accommodations, their usage and enjoyment of their homes may be severely hampered. As a result, it is now required by law for landlords to make reasonable accommodations and modifications where they are needed. And the numerous anti-discrimination statutes deserve credit for this.
A landlord is required to revise his rules and procedures or make any necessary revisions. For this, the reasonableness test still applies, meaning that the accommodations required must be reasonable.
To sum up, reasonable modifications and adjustments are required for people with disabilities to use and enjoy their houses. Their request can be made in the absence of them using a fairly simple procedure.
Either write to your PHA and ask for the adjustment or reasonable accommodation you need or have an informal hearing with the PHA.
I was on the waiting lot for gud for 6 years and I moved and put in a change of address and then got pulled of the list say I didn't do the change of address so I went to post office got a copy of my address change gave it to hud they wait if I did that they would put nnn back on they denied it how its been 15 years and I am 65 anbelieve I should be put right on the gud list can you help me or I'm I going to die homeless
Am really sorry about this experience. Kindly visit the housing authority and apply for the Section 202 housing voucher which is made available to support the elderly and provide affordable housing assistance.
My property is being sold I have to move I am a disabled senior citizen. I have family living in Saint Petersburg. I wish I could get a place there to live🙏
Hi, you can submit an application for Section 8 in Saint Petersburg if that would be your preferred housing location.
I’m trying to apply for help to get section 8 and I can’t find a page that let’s me fill out an application for section 8. Thank you.
Hi, visit this link to submit your section 8 application.
Hi my name Pamela
And I am deaf I have hard time find a section 8 apply can y’all tell me how thanks I am from louisisan
Hello, you can get help for your housing needs by visiting the PHA office close to you to fill out your application.
How can conferm my application or approval
Hello Britney,
You can go to this website: https://www.waitlistcheck.com/ To check for your application status.
You can also read more about this article: https://affordablehousingheroes.com/section-8-status/ For more information.
Thanks!
Hello my name is Juan Valencia, i am 58 yrs old currently homeless recovering from covid-19 went to ER twice, i was working for cardenss market, thats when Corona virus quarantine started. I have been without a job since and have not been able to collect my PUA unemployment. I really appreciate any help in getting me back into a place i can call home. Please and thank you.
Hi, visit the HUD website or your local housing authority office to check for available housing programs.
I am a disabled senior citizen and have to move because the property is being Sold. Can I please get some help I have been on the waiting list for years
Hello, you should check on your status on the section 8 waiting list to be sure you are still on it. Also, you can submit the section 8 application in other cities in order to get a faster response.
I am currently looking for housing in Los Angeles California trying to sign up for Section 8 or public housing from KC Missouri
Hi Tashae,
Click here to get a list of the PHA office in your area and visit there to apply for the Section 8 housing voucher
I am looking for housing in Hibbing minn.55746 & surronding area
Public housing agencies provide decent, safe, affordable housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Contact any local public housing agency in your state to get housing.
Hi so I have a place now my rent just got paid through arapaho county and my land lord said if I am able too get help I can stay in my place my lease is up in the middle of January this year coming. Cam you please let me know thank u
Hello Melissa,
Please check with your local housing authority for this information.
Need to find a place asap we were supposed to be off where we are on Tuesday the 30th and have not found anything we can’t pay much for rent. We have five dogs and two cats it will be me and my husband
Hi Krystal,
Visit the local housing authority and explain your housing needs and to also submit an application.
i need help i am getting evicted from my house and i have no income or money ort place to live. i can work but no work at this time. i need a miracle here if one exist. I am scared of the future. i have worked my whole life now art age 52. I never been evicted nor arrested. ******@yahoo I will pay back anyone who helps me find shelter and help. Roland
please check with the local housing authority for housing assistance you are eligible to apply for and submit your application.
i have never in my life had my own house ever i lived and took care of my mom untell the very day that i had to pull the plug on my mother my best friend my everything and now that she is gone in find myself lost and need my owne house so i can have my dogs something i have wanted for many years now I lost my mom to diabetes and pulling the plug on my mom It wasthe most worst thing I ever had to do.
so please if you could please help me get my own house?
thank you
Stacy B.
Hi stacy,
Am sorry to hear this. You need to get in touch with the PHA office to apply for section 8 housing voucher.
My name is Talisa I'm trying to sign up for emergency section 8 voucher
Hello Talisa,
To sign up for section 8, you need to visit the local housing authority near your to submit an application
I was in a great position moneywise before the pandemic. I recently lucked up and got a job that I was not qualified for on paper 3 weeks before everything was shutdown. I of course was one of the people who didn’t get unemployment until 2-3 months into pandemic. I had a good savings, made good $$ & just rented the perfect house for my son and myself. I was able to pay rent the first 2-3 months of quarantine & paid backpay on bills when finally getting unemployment. However after paying 2-3 months rent/ bills there was no extra money & I was paid $202 weekly from unemployment. $800 a month doesn’t quite cut it when I mad $800 or more a week at my job & my rent was $1250!! Then a $1000 stimulus does nothing bc bills have by then been backing up & piling on month after month. They finally gave people $300 extra weekly 3 months later, but that still meant the highest weekly amount paid was $624 & that is with no taxes withheld & only upperclass received the full $324 weekly. I brought home close to $1000 a week and my weekly amount was $202 bf taxes!!!! How can ANYONE live on that????? I moved from a house my son & myself loved due to this pandemic even though I never made a late payment the previous 8 months bf the pandemic. We were forced to move to a much smaller place that only had 1 bedroom, 1 bath & was half the size of previous house we lived in for 16 months. A house we NEVER wanted to leave. Now I could not return to old job bc I was only hired 3 weeks bf shutdown. I cannot find job making what I was making before pandemic. I will be making 2/3 of what I am used to & would not be able to rent on this salary
Hello Tegan,
Am sorry to hear that,but if you are in need of emergency housing, visit the PHA office in your area and you can also read through the article on housing assistance for single moms to know more about other available housing assistance.
Good afternoon, how are you? The reason why I am here is because I need your help to find a low-income apartment as quickly as possible, please help me with that, I am a university student, I do not have a full-time job, I still live with my 11-year-old daughter and I need Please resolve as quickly as possible.
Thank you.
God bless you.
Please do contact the PHA office nearest to you to fill out an application for the Section 8 housing voucher if you are eligible.
I am in need of assistance to put my application in I am on disability and need help as soon as possible
Kindly visit the local housing authority to state your housing needs.
Keep doing what it is that you like. Looks right : )
Thank you
I am very interested in getting a Section 8 voucher. I am 63 and living in a dangerous neighborhood.
H esther,
To apply, kindly visit the local housing authority near you to submit an application.
Using the internet is difficult for me I am dislexic and have poor short term comprehension I need some help from someone with patience and can explain it in a way sometimes multiple ways till I get it once I get it I don't normally forget to easily.
Hello Alicia,
Please visit http://www.hud.gov to learn all you need to know about applying for section 8 housing voucher. Also go through our article on the topic for more information.
I am looking for housing asap so if someone can help me that would be appreciated, single family home.
To get help click here, or visit a physical PHA office to submit an application.
I'm looking for help in housing I live in Texas and I live out of my vehicle. Please help I'm also disabled and have health issues.ty
Kindly request for assistance from your local housing authority to find the best housing program for you.
Hi my name is Adrienne I'm disabled 60 looking to get this program, I currently live with my son, and need my own space, please help 🙋♀️
To get the application form for the Section 8, click here or visit your PHA office.
I am a partially disabled ( due to a medical error ), low income earning senior citizen. Interested in a single, independent living housing. Preferably a studio type housing or a one bedroom house.
How can I set about on this ?
To get started, you have to submit an application form and you can do that by visiting the HUD office in your area or you can also apply online as a faster means.
This is only telling me how to apply for SECTION 8 , HUD, PHA etc. It's not giving me where or what website where I could fill out the application. This is getting me frustrated. I need the form or application so I could fill it out. I'm 64yrs old l need a senior apartment and fill it out as soon as possible cause I know I'll be put on a waiting list. At least 1-3 years. I want it West Palm Beach, Florida or near it or around it. Please send it to my email.
Here is the
HUD website
where you can fill out an application and get the list of the PHA offices in your preferred areas.
Are they accepting section 8 applications now? And where do i get one. My husband and i live with family, but i am being physically abused.
: To find out if applications are still been accepted in your area, visit your local housing authority.
My name is Scott I am trying to get on section 8 housing I hope they can help me with a place real soon I been trying all kind of housing company to help me and I get no answer so I have to wait so that is why I hope I am call real soon for a place.
Kindly visit the local housing authority to fill out the necessary applications for section 8 voucher. To find a local housing authority office near you check here
Hi my name is Heather L. I own my home an rent the property it sits on due to the covid19 I've lost my job for sometime now and need assistance for the rent. I have no were else to put my home. My landlord has agreed to recive renters assistance. Can someone help lead me in the rite direction
Please speak with the local housing authority in your area to state your needs and the are in the best position to render assistance to you.
Hi my name is Carol talk to the legal housing authority I spoke to the housing authority and I told them what I am going through I live either in a motel or with my daughter and her family they let me live in a motel and my daughter and I told them I would like to just get into my own apartment and I am still living with my daughter I’ve been on the hollybrook Apartments in Laurel Delaware waiting list for a year now and I have still not have gotten into my own apartment that’s all I want is my own apartment I am 60 years old and all I want to do is get my own apartment instead of living in motels or with my daughter and her family if you can help me get into an apartment I have applications in four different apartments hollybrook Apartments I’ve been in on the waiting list for a year now I’m in I have an application in woodland Mills Apartments in Seaford Delaware middle bridge Apartments in Seaford Delaware Carvel apartments in Laurel Delaware I just would like to get my own place if you can help me please help me get into one of these apartments
Hello Carol, Keep checking back on your applications or speak wit an officer at the PHA office while explaining your current housing needs.
I'm looking for a section 8 apartment or application I'm currently homeless with a job and with just my dog and I need something right away
Visit the PHA office nearest to you or click here to submit an application online
I called my local housing dept 6 times they never got back to me about an app application for section 8 can anyone else help me
Hello Deborah,
If you called severely and there was no answer. I’d suggest you visit instead. For more information, please visit http://www.hud.gov or read through our article here for more information on section 8
I have filled out so many different websites about low income help with rent section 8 no waiting list and you still get nowhere and it’s in the same thing over and over and over
Am sorry about that, the HUD receives so many applications each year and this may be the cause of the delay. You can keep checking back with the PHA office you submitted your application to ask about the situation of things.
How do I apply
Hi, kindly apply for the section 8 housing voucher at the pha office closest to you or you can also submit an application online.
My name is pamela c. I and my kid look for help apply section I am deaf mother and I on disability and we want look nice house and yard for my kid and I look 3 bedroom 2 bathroom and hope help me help I can apply section 8 or hud hope y’all hep me thanks
Since you have submitted your application for Section 8 all you have to do is to keep on checking on the waiting list and update your information as often as possible. Wishing you all the best.
I am 65 in retirement. I can no longer afford to pay the rent in present apartment. How can I get help fast. I am about to be evicted. I have tried to contact various agencies, with no results. Please help.
Hello Raymond.
I am sorry to hear that! I understand. You can actually get help through Section 202-Housing for the Elderly Program.
To apply for Section 202 you may contact your local PHA office and ask if they have a list with Section 202 properties available, check property rental websites such as Zillow, or if you know of a Section 202 property, give them a visit or call and ask for their application process.
To know more about this program, you can visit the article here: https://affordablehousingheroes.com/section-202-elderly/
All the best!