Apply for Section 8 Vouchers With Pasadena Housing Authority Effortlessly

Section 8 started as an urban renewal project in the 1970s and has continued to function as a way for low-income tenants (families and individuals) to secure rental assistance for affordable housing units. The City of Pasadena partners with the Housing Rights Council to ensure that Pasadena residents have access to Section 8 properties without experiencing discrimination. DoNotPay is here to explain how to follow the Pasadena Housing Authority's rules for eligibility and qualify for Pasadena Section 8 housing.

Besides the Pasadena Housing Authority and Pasadena-specific concerns, DoNotPay has investigated the public's concerns about applying for Section 8 across the United States.

In rental assistance programs, the most common form of assistance being offered to the public right now is Section 8 and emergency rental assistance vouchers; and, the predominant concern is getting approved immediately. DoNotPay is here to help advise on Section 8 questions, whether it be Pasadena public housing, or elsewhere.

Who Is Eligible for Section 8 Housing in Pasadena, California?

The Pasadena Housing Authority and the city of Pasadena make decisions about who qualifies for Section 8 and other Coronavirus-related Emergency Rental Assistance programs (including Project-based, HOPWA, Shelter plus Care, CoC Rental Assistance). In general, the Coronavirus created exceptions to the Section 8 program, and other spin-off programs for emergency aid were implemented by the city. However, some qualifications for meeting Section 8 requirements in Pasadena are not readily known.

Here are the known qualifications for Pasadena Section 8 housing:

• Annually, the income bracket that is eligible is determined by HUD and changes annually.
• The housing is for low-income individuals and families.
• In most states, what constitutes as low-income is between $25,000 and $30,000 for a single individual.
• For families, some states can set limits like 8 individuals in one home with an income threshold of $39,000.
• The programs are for those who have low incomes, disabilities, or are elderly.
• In some voucher programs, the qualifications may include outreach programs with hospitals or domestic violence shelters.
• In Pasadena, eligibility information cannot be disclosed until an application is received, so that's why this information is not publicly locatable.

How to Contact Pasadena Housing Authority and Apply for Section 8 on Your Own

Presently, the Pasadena Housing Authority has opened low-income housing offices in Pasadena, CA. Applying for Section 8 alone is not impossible and the offices in this city are open. This will make the process easier, but there can be long waiting lists. Despite that, it's likely still best to apply if you need housing assistance.

Here's how to apply for Pasadena public housing:

1. You may apply in person, although the low-income housing (Pasadena, CA office) discourages this due to shortened hours.
2. They are open Mondays and Tuesdays from 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM and Wednesdays and Thursdays from 12:30 PM - 5:00 PM.
3. It is possible to pick up Pasadena low-income housing paperwork during those times.
4. It is also possible to contact the staff of the City of Pasadena and the Senior Housing Assistant's name is Traci Dudley.
5. Completed documents can be emailed to this department, mailed, or taken to their office.
6. The Pasadena Housing Authority has said that late documents by mail will not be counted against participants.
7. If you want to send in the Pasadena Public Housing application and documents by mail, then it can be sent to The City of Pasadena Housing Department at P.O. Box 7115 in Pasadena, CA.
8. If you have questions, the Pasadena Department of Housing's office number is (626) 744-8300.

How Can I Lose My Section 8 Voucher?

Section 8 may be low-income housing, but there are often strict guidelines, and breaking them may result in losing the voucher. Vouchers are difficult to acquire, so here's a quick overview on how to avoid losing one's approval.

Avoid the following activities while receiving a Section 8 voucher:

• Section 8 apartment complexes often involve contracts with private landlords and companies that may use their power to control the tenants of the building by doing things like limiting crime.
• Avoid engaging in criminal activity while receiving a Section 8 voucher because you may lose your apartment.
• While convictions may result in the loss of a voucher, some landlords will evict tenants if they have been arrested and before trial. Avoid criminal activity whenever possible and contact the Housing Rights Council if this occurs.
• Report changes in your income to Pasadena Housing Authority so as not to lose the voucher due to fraud.
• When receiving a Section 8 voucher, ask them what the limits are for your family as well.
• Try not to damage the properties since getting kicked out of one Section 8 apartment could jeopardize the status of the voucher and housing availability.
• As with SNAP, Medicaid/ Medicare, and other federal programs for low-income individuals, report income increases to avoid accusations of fraud if you accidentally exceed the income limitations.

Apply for Section 8 Housing Using DoNotPay

Right now, it can be difficult to apply for Section 8 housing due to a lack of publicly available information about the approval process. There also tend to be long waiting lists that open and close at the discretion of the Pasadena Housing Authority. Lastly, it can be hard to apply when facing financial hardship due to the difficulty of getting transportation, etc., and the Coronavirus shuttering offices makes it worse. Fortunately, DoNotPay is here to help and the process can start with an email from us on your behalf.

How to get Section 8 in Pasadena, California with DoNotPay's application:

1. Answer a few questions about your income, family size, veteran/disability status, which county you hope to live in, etc.

2. 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.

What Else Can DoNotPay Do?

DoNotPay can assist you with other low-income housing-related questions.