ByHow To Access Public Housing Quicker With Section 8
The rising cost of housing is a major burden for low-income families and individuals on a tight budget. That's why the Department of Housing and Urban development created Section 8, a unique form of public housing that helps tenants rent homes from private landlords by subsidizing the cost.
The need for this kind of financial is so great that there's typically a waiting list of 1-2 years, and sometimes longer. For those wondering how to , it may be possible to speed things up for those that qualify. Learn more about the Section 8 application process and how DoNotPay can help get your foot in the door faster.
Who is Eligible for Section 8 Housing?
Section 8 is a national program but it's maintained by the local Public Housing Authorities in every county. The rules can vary depending on your area but most programs have the same eligibility requirements.
Basic Requirements for Section 8
| Residency Requirements | Typically, to qualify for section 8 housing voucher benefits, you must be a United States citizen or have residency. However, there are programs that may allow for non-residents to apply. |
| Income Qualifications | In general, eligibility is determined by the combined gross income of all adults in the household and their anticipated monthly housing costs, including utilities. For example, a potential tenant's income cannot exceed 50% of the median income for Alameda County.
Income limits are also determined by the Federal Poverty Guidelines chart published each year by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Generally, these are the same guidelines used to determine eligibility for other government programs such as food stamps, Head Start, school lunch, and others. |
| Criminal History | In the past, certain types of criminal records could have disqualified a person from receiving housing benefits. However, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently implemented a new rule that prohibits housing agencies from denying or terminating assistance to individuals based on their conviction history unless they have committed a serious or violent felony, currently pose a threat to property or others, and/or are likely to recidivate. |
| Required Documentation | In addition to the basic requirements listed above, section 8 housing applicants must provide:
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Potential Disqualifications
- A criminal record related to drugs, violence, or certain types of fraud
- Having been evicted from Section 8 housing in the past
- Sex offender status
- Owing rent to a Section 8 landlord
It's also worth pointing out that Section 8 isn't just for families. As long as they meet all the requirements, individual tenants are just as eligible for being accepted into this rental assistance program.
How To Get Public Housing Faster
The first step in applying for Section 8 is to find contact information for your local Public Housing Authority, which is available on the Department of Housing and Urban Development's website. You can reach out by phone or email to begin the application process. Unfortunately, there 's a very high demand for Section 8 and most applicants should expect to spend a year or longer on the waiting list.
While Section 8 doesn 't offer emergency housing, most Public Housing Authorities have a priority waiting list for tenants that can get fast-tracked. Applicants that qualify may be able to get approval within months rather than years.
The factors that can expedite your application are:
- A household income that's less than 30 percent of the average for your county
- Currently homeless, at major risk of becoming homeless, or living in a public shelter
- Having a physical or mental disability
- Being 62 years or older
- Being a Military veteran
If your household meets any of these requirements, make sure to include it on your pre-application , which is the initial paperwork your local Public Housing Authority uses to evaluate if you qualify for Section 8. This is also the moment when you can potentially be chosen as a priority case that gets priority on the waiting list.
How To Get Public Housing Faster By Using DoNotPay
The quickest way to complete your Section 8 pre-application is with DoNotPay's rental assistance tool. You won't have to spend time finding your local Public Housing Authority's contact information or struggling to fill out the application correctly. DoNotPay helps you include the relevant information and place your case in the strongest position for getting fast-tracked.
If you want to apply for Section 8 Housing but don't know where to start, DoNotPay has you covered in 2 easy steps:
- Answer a few questions about your income, family size, veteran/disability status, which county you hope to live in, etc.
- DoNotPay will find the PHA in charge of that county and contact them with all of your eligibility information to determine if you can start applying. They'll get back to you directly via email with the next steps.
Why Begin Your Section 8 Application With DoNotPay
Instead of wondering whether you completed the application correctly, count on DoNotPay to make the process much easier. Our rental assistance tool is the easy, fast, and legally sound option for filling out your Section 8 paperwork .
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