If you have a housing voucher, and you can find an apartment within the right rent range, you can just rent it, no matter how many extra bedrooms it has!
For example, you can have a two bedroom voucher and rent a three bedroom apartment as long as it fits within the right price. However, this plan may come with a few catches. . .
Catch #1
Although this seems like a good idea, sometimes it does not work out perfectly. Eventually the landlord may realize they could get a tenant with a larger voucher and get more money. After you have been there for a year, the landlord has a right to raise the rent.
If this happens, the Housing Authority will give you the option to either pay the additional yourself, or move to a less expensive place.
Catch #2
Voucher amounts are very confusing and easy to misunderstand. Before going forward, you might wish to double check how much rent your voucher will actually pay:How Payment Standards Work
Tip: If utilities are not included in your rent, make sure to deduct the cost of utilities before figuring out how much your voucher is worth. Housing Authorities do not always explain this to people and many people wind up wasting time and money looking in the wrong price range.
Catch #3
Even if your Housing Authority allows you the extra bedrooms, there’s a chance your landlord will not allow it. If you are applying to a low income or “income restricted” property, they may have their own policies on bedrooms.
You can ask the property manager, or if you’d like to see it in writing, request a copy of their “bedroom policy” or “occupancy policy.”
More Options
In some situations, you can request that your voucher be increased to add an extra bedroom:Five Ways to Request an Additional Bedroom
Update
We’ve heard reports from some readers that the Housing Authority is not allowing them to rent a place with extra bedrooms, even if it falls within payment standard.
Although this is not a common policy, it may exist in some areas. You can ask your housing program for a written copy of their bedroom policies or check their administrative plan to see if your housing program has created a policy like this.
If you or someone in your household is disabled, and this policy is keeping you from being able to rent the place that best suits your disability needs, you can also request an accommodation for an exception to this policy.
FAQs
Yes. You may rent a unit that is larger than your voucher bedroom size. However, the portion of rent you pay to the owner cannot exceed 40% of your total household income.
Can you get a 3 bedroom with a 2 bedroom Section 8 voucher in NYC? ›
If you have a housing voucher, and you can find an apartment within the right rent range, you can just rent it, no matter how many extra bedrooms it has! For example, you can have a two bedroom voucher and rent a three bedroom apartment as long as it fits within the right price.
What's the most Section 8 will pay? ›
The maximum housing assistance is generally the lesser of the payment standard minus 30% of the family's monthly adjusted income or the gross rent for the unit minus 30% of monthly adjusted income.
How do I get an emergency housing voucher in NJ? ›
Identify as homeless, recently homeless, in imminent risk of homelessness; or must be fleeing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking. Have a government-issued identification card. Have birth certificates for everyone in the household (or proof they were ordered).
Who can help me pay my rent in NJ? ›
The State of New Jersey Rental Assistance Program (SRAP) is a state funded program that provides housing subsidies on behalf of very low-income New Jersey residents, for decent, safe, and sanitary housing. Persons applying must meet all applicable SRAP income and eligibility requirements.
Who qualifies for housing assistance in NJ? ›
Income Eligibility Guidelines
HUD sets the lower income limits at 80% and very low-income limits at 50% of the median income for the county or metropolitan area in which you choose to live. Income limits vary from area to area so you may be eligible at one housing authority but not at another.
What benefits do homeless people get in NJ? ›
These benefits include, but are not limited to: essential food, clothing, shelter and household furnishings; temporary rental assistance or back rent or mortgage payments; utility payments (such as heat, water, electric); transportation to search for housing; and moving expenses.
Can Section 8 check your cash app? ›
No. Instruments such as PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, and Cash App are not considered financial institutions and PHAs are not required to verify deposits and transactions made through them.
Can you buy a house with Section 8 in Massachusetts? ›
As a participant in the Housing Choice Voucher program receiving rental assistance, you can use your voucher to buy a home and receive monthly assistance in meeting homeownership expenses. You must meet income, other eligibility requirements and must be able to obtain a mortgage from a lender.
How long is the Massachusetts Section 8 waiting list? ›
The average wait time for all Section 8 applicants is about ten years.
Examples of these rental subsidy programs are Tenant Based Vouchers, Enhanced Vouchers, and Project Based Vouchers. The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) also administers other rental subsidy programs.
How does NYC housing calculate rent? ›
After reviewing the household composition, income, assets, and expenses listed in the Public Housing Affidavit of Income, NYCHA sets the household's rent at either 30% of the household's adjusted gross income or the flat rent, whichever is lower.
What is Hud's definition of a bedroom? ›
BEDROOMS: The number of bedrooms in a housing unit includes those rooms that are used mainly for sleeping or designed to be a bedroom, even if used for other purposes.
