The rising cost of real estate has made it difficult for many people around the country to find reasonable and affordable housing. To bridge this gap, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers tenant-based rental assistance in the form of the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. This benefit is available to low-income families, elderly individuals, and people with disabilities to allow them to rent safe and decent homes.
Eligibility for section 8 vouchers
To determine eligibility for Section 8 housing vouchers, the HUD primarily relies on an individual’s gross income, that is, income before the taxes have been paid. An individual’s household income must be less than 50% of their state or county’s median income (as specified by the government) to qualify for this program. Other factors, such as family size, citizenship and immigration status, and criminal background, may also be considered during the process.
How to apply for section 8 vouchers
Applying for federal assistance can feel overwhelming. Breaking it down into simple steps can make it easier and more manageable, allowing individuals to better understand their eligibility and the application process itself.
Locate the local PHA
The first step in applying for a Section 8 voucher is finding a local Public Housing Agency (PHA) office, as they manage all things related to the application and distribution of vouchers.
Individuals can either approach their local PHA office or reach out to them online. A complete list of offices is available on the HUD website.
Fill up the application
The next step is to fill out the application form. This form requires information about an individual’s family size, income, etc. Applicants must also submit their tax returns, pay stubs, bank account statements, and other documents to help agents verify their eligibility for the program. Currently, applications for housing vouchers are free of charge.
Wait for confirmation
Once the application has been submitted, individuals must wait for the PHA to review and approve eligibility. Given the high demand for housing vouchers around the country, this can take considerable time, so it is best to apply early.
At times, some PHAs may also close their waiting list if they have too many applicants. It is important to note that PHAs may have local preferences when selecting applicants from their list. For instance, some may give preference to a family that is homeless or living in substandard housing, is paying over 50% of its income on rent, or has been involuntarily displaced. Each PHA can set these preferences according to their discretion. This is largely because each PHA only has a capped number of vouchers it can administer, with most new vouchers being reserved for tenant protection or special purposes, such as veterans experiencing homelessness or youth leaving foster care.
Funding for these vouchers is provided to the local PHAs via the appropriations process and is subject to change based on the number and cost of authorized vouchers in use and inflation.
Wait for house inspection and voucher receipt
Once a voucher is available, the PHA will reach out for a home inspection to ensure that an individual’s current quarters meet the HUD’s health and safety standards. Then, the voucher will be issued. While this voucher does not cover the entirety of their housing costs, it will help make living more affordable.
The housing voucher family is expected to pay 30% of its monthly adjusted gross income for rent and utilities. If their rent is higher than the payment standard set by the PHA, they are also expected to cover the difference. That being said, the law also mandates that even when the rent exceeds the payment standard, the family may not pay more than 40% of its adjusted monthly income for rent.
Sign the lease agreement
Not all landlords may be willing to accept housing vouchers as a form of payment. That is why tenants will have to look for the right accommodation and sign a fresh lease agreement with their landlords. The difference between the actual rent and the subsidy will have to be covered by the individual themselves.
Other things to know
An approval once does not equate to a lifelong supply of vouchers. Rather, individuals will have to periodically prove their eligibility (generally every year) by providing information regarding an individual’s income and family size to the PHA.
Lately, there have been a lot of scams regarding Section 8 housing assistance. To ensure they do not fall victim to such issues, individuals must verify the authenticity of any Section 8 website or assistance program. Remember that access to this program is free.
Apart from housing vouchers, the HUD also runs other special programs that may help make life easier for low-income families. These include Emergency Housing Vouchers, HUD-VASH Vouchers, Project-based Vouchers, Mainstream Vouchers, Homeownership Program, Foster Youth to Independence (FYI), and Family Unification Program. More information regarding these programs is available on the HUD website.
Vouchers have been incredibly effective in reducing homelessness and helping lift people out of poverty. This, in turn, has helped offer educational, developmental, and health benefits to help improve people’s well-being and overall quality of life.