Finding a safe and affordable place to live can be hard, especially if you’re on a fixed income. The Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) Program helps those who qualify get decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private rental market. It aims to give low-income older adults, people with disabilities, and families access to better living conditions and an improved quality of life.

Section 8 is not the same as the HUD Public Housing Program, which provides lower-cost housing in rentals owned by the government.

How does the Section 8 housing program work?

Section 8 pays a portion of your monthly rent directly to your landlord using a housing choice voucher. A voucher is like a coupon—it can be used in place of money to pay for something. While Section 8 is funded by the federal government, housing choice vouchers are issued and managed at the local level by public housing agencies (PHAs).

Section 8 pays the difference between the full rent amount (or the payment standard set by the agency) and no more than 30% of your adjusted gross income (AGI). If the monthly rent is more than that amount, you must pay the difference. But you cannot apply more than 40% of your AGI toward rent.

Can you live anywhere with Section 8?

If you are approved for Section 8, you have choices in where you live. You can choose from privately owned single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments. The property owner or landlord must agree to rent you a unit under the Section 8 program. The government also requires that Section 8 homes be thoroughly inspected to make sure they are safe.

You can even get Section 8 help in the apartment you currently live in, if your landlord agrees to participate in the program.

Who qualifies for Section 8 housing?

You can take part in this program if you are age 62 or older, have a disability, and/or have limited income. In general, your income cannot be more than 50% - 80% of the median income for the region where you want to live (additional criteria must also be met).

If you are a U.S. citizen and meet the other program guidelines, you may get help from this program. Some people who are not U.S. citizens may also take part in this program. You should contact your local public housing agency for more information about the program's citizenship rules.

The amount Section 8 will pay to your landlord depends on three things:

• Your household income from all sources (earned and unearned), including:
  • Money you get from a job (does not include Senior Community Service Employment Program income)
  • Social Security payments
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments
• How many people live in your household
• The county you live in

Please note: Depending on where you live and the amount of assistance available, you may be placed on a Section 8 waiting list. Because of limited resources and high demand for housing, long waiting lists are common.

How do I apply for Section 8 housing?

If you want to apply for Section 8 housing, you need to contact your local PHA. You can search for your local agency here by using the drop down menu or clicking on your state on the map.

After you contact your local PHA, you can apply online or with a paper form, depending on your location. It is free to apply. The application will ask for important information about everyone in your home, such as:

• Name, birthdate, and Social Security number
• Proof you are a U.S. citizen or legal resident
• Your current address
• Proof of all income (like pay stubs or tax forms)
• Past landlord information

Make sure to have these documents ready when you apply.

What happens after I apply for Section 8 housing?

After you apply for Section 8 housing, the housing authority will review your application. Here is generally what happens next (although the process may differ slightly from state to state):

• You get a letter: The housing office will tell you if your application was approved or if you need to wait. If you are approved, you will get a voucher to help pay for part of your rent.
• You find a home: You can choose a rental that accepts Section 8 vouchers.
• The home gets an inspection: The home or apartment must pass an inspection. During the inspection, the housing office will check to make sure it is safe and clean.
• You sign the lease: You will sign a rental agreement with the landlord and start paying your share of the rent.

Since many people need help from Section 8, there may be a waiting list. If you are on the waiting list, keep your contact information updated so you don’t miss any important updates.

How can I get help with my application?

There are multiple ways to get help applying for Section 8 housing. You can:

• Contact your local Public Housing Agency.
• Contact the HUD office nearest you.
• Ask a trusted family member or friend.
• Visit a Benefits Enrollment Center (BEC), if there’s one near you. See if there’s one in your area.

NCOA also has a HelpLine you can call to get free support. To get started today, call 1-877-293-8875.