What Is Section 8 Housing? (2024)

If you meet the requirements for Section 8 Housing, here are the steps you’ll take to apply for the program.

Step 1: Find Your Local Housing Authority

The first step is to find your local housing authority. You can find your local PHA by state, city and zip code and receive all the available contact information on file.

Step 2: Determine Your Eligibility

Next, you’ll work with your local PHA to determine whether you’re eligible for Section 8 Housing. Eligibility is based on the size of your family and your annual gross income. As a general requirement, your income cannot exceed 50% of the median income in your area.

Sometimes, a local PHA will show preference for certain individuals receiving housing assistance first. For instance, local residents or those dealing with homelessness may receive preferential treatment. If you qualify, be sure to let the PHA know so you can shorten your waiting time as much as possible.

Step 3: Fill Out The Application

Assuming you qualify for Section 8 Housing, you’ll need to fill out the program application. The application is free and will be available online or by mail. You’ll need to provide information about your income, citizenship, criminal history and eviction history.

Step 4: Find Out Your Waiting List Status

After you’ve submitted your application, you’ll find out your waiting list status. If you live in an area with a high demand for Section 8 Housing, you could find yourself on the waiting list for years. Once your application is processed, you can confirm your waiting list status through an online portal.

Step 5: Find Affordable Housing

Finally, once you receive your voucher, you can begin looking for affordable housing. You have 60 days to use your voucher after you receive it. Look for housing that accepts Section 8 vouchers and meets the program requirements.

Once you’ve chosen a home, you’ll sign a minimum 1-year lease with your landlord and may be required to put down a security deposit. You can expect to pay 30% of your monthly income toward rent, and the PHA will pay the remainder directly to your landlord.

If you decide to move after a year, you can do so without interrupting your Section 8 voucher benefits. But you must let the PHA know ahead of time, and your new residence must meet the HUD’s housing requirements.

What Is Section 8 Housing? (2024)

FAQs

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.

What does it mean to be called a Section 8? ›

Section VIII provided for the discharge of men who were deemed mentally unfit for military service. The term "Section 8" eventually came to mean any service member given such a discharge, or behaving as if deserving such a discharge, as in the expression, "he's a Section 8".

Who qualifies for Section 8 in NJ? ›

Income Eligibility

There are two income limits which are used to determine eligibility for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program and Moderate Rehabilitation Programs: Very Low Income limit: 50 percent of the area median income; and. Low-Income limit: 80 percent of the area median income.

Who qualifies for Section 8 in NY? ›

Income: Your annual household income should be below the income limit, which is set at 50% of median income. However, 75% of the total number of vouchers are to be distributed to very low-income individuals and families and therefore limit is set to 30% median income.

Who receives the most Section 8? ›

Close to two-thirds (63%) of households living in Project-Based Section 8 units and 51% of those in public housing are composed of people who are elderly or have at least one member who has a disability.

What disqualifies you from Section 8 housing in California? ›

What can cause termination from Section 8 housing? Some common reasons include the tenant (or their guests) engaging in drug-related activity, not paying rent, Page 2 engaging in criminal activity, or violation of terms of the lease, to name a few. Fraud is another reason a recipient may be terminated from the program.

Who qualifies for housing assistance in Michigan? ›

To get any type of Section 8 benefits, you must:
  • Have very low income (less than 50% of the area median income) Not all income is counted. ...
  • Not own a home your family could live in.
  • Have less than $100,000 in countable assets (not all assets are counted) ...
  • Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible immigrant.

What is a chapter 8 discharge? ›

Chapter 8 establishes policy and procedures for voluntary separation of enlisted women because of pregnancy. If an individual is beyond entry-level status, her service will be characterized as honorable or general, under honorable conditions.

What is a 208 discharge? ›

By regulation (AR 635-208), individuals will be discharged by reason of unfitness when it is determined they are unfit for further military service despite reasonable attempts to rehabilitate or rehabilitation is impracticable. When discharged because of unfitness, DD Form 258a (Undesirable) will be furnished.

How long does it take to get approved for Section 8 in NJ? ›

Please note it can take up to 30 days for your application to be marked eligible before you will see your name under Waiting List(s). NOTE: The Waiting List is approximately 3 years for applicants with at least two preferences.

Can a landlord refuse to accept Section 8 in NJ? ›

New Jersey law also makes it illegal for a landlord to refuse to rent to a person because the person has a Section 8 voucher or another type of housing assistance. Cite: N.J.S.A. 10:5-12(g).

Can you buy a house on Section 8 in NJ? ›

Participants in the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs' (DCA) Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program are eligible for this program and could become homeowners provided they meet all Section 8 Homeownership Program eligibility requirements.

What is the highest you can make for Section 8? ›

FY 2024 Section 8 Income Limits (Effective 04/15/2024)
Number of PersonsExtremely Low Income 30% of MedianLow Income 80% of Median
1$ 29,150$ 77,700
2$ 33,300$ 88,800
3$ 37,450$ 99,900
4$ 41,600$ 110,950
4 more rows
Apr 15, 2024

How much is a 2 bedroom Section 8 voucher in NY? ›

Bedroom SizePayment Standard ($)
2$3,027
3$3,777
4$4,070
5$4,680
5 more rows

Do landlords have to accept Section 8 in NY? ›

The Law. It is illegal to be denied a housing opportunity because of a lawful source of income. Lawful source of income includes income from Social Security, or any form of federal, state, or local public assistance or housing assistance including Section 8 vouchers.

How much does Section 8 pay for 1 bedroom in California? ›

Payment Standards (Effective Date 1/1/2024)
Housing SizePayment Amount
Studio$1,661
1 Bedroom$1,980
2 Bedroom$2,496
3 Bedroom$3,360
2 more rows

What's the most rent for income housing? ›

HOME Rent Limits
  • The rent does not exceed 30 percent of the annual income of a family whose income equals 50 percent of the median income for the area, as determined by HUD, with adjustments for smaller and larger families. ...
  • The rent does not exceed 30 percent of the family's adjusted income.

How much is a 1 bedroom voucher in Las Vegas? ›

Voucher Payment Standards (VPS)
Bedroom SizeVoucher Payment Standard
0$2,132
1$2,407
2$3,052
3$3,915
4 more rows

How much will Section 8 pay in Los Angeles? ›

Posted:
Bedroom(s)Voucher Payment Standards
1$2,407
2$3,052
3$3,915
4$4,320
3 more rows
Sep 25, 2023

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