Bypassing the Section 8 Orlando Waiting List

The federal moratorium on foreclosures and evictions for those unable to pay their mortgage or rent during the COVID-19 pandemic was scheduled to end on June 30, 2021. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an eviction moratorium order in areas of the United States with substantial and high transmission of COVID-19 on August 26, 2021. Take advantage of the DoNotPay to apply for an emergency Section 8 voucher to bypass the lengthy Section 8 Orlando waiting list.

Fortunately, Floridians have the Orlando Housing Authority (OHA), which offers Section 8 rental assistance programs that may supplant the foreclosure and eviction moratorium. Under certain conditions, you might qualify for an emergency voucher that gives your case priority. If you're facing foreclosure and/or eviction and need to get Section 8 immediately, you're advised to contact OHA for priority review.

How You Can Apply for OHA Public Housing

Please note, the public housing waiting lists are currently closed for new applicants at the time of writing, according to the City of Orlando website. You may submit an online application for public housing at any time when the waiting list period resumes. After submission, you'll receive a confirmation number acknowledging your submission was successful (be sure to have a pen and paper on hand). Pre-applications do not guarantee your placement in Section 8 housing.

If OHA adds you to the waiting list, you'll receive an email notifying you when your name has entered the top of the waiting list. OHA may also send you emails regarding any updates to your files. You must provide an accurate mailing address and respond to any communications from OHA. Failure to respond or having any correspondence returned as undeliverable will likely result in your name being removed from the waiting list. In that case, you would have to start the process all over again.

Before beginning the Section 8 application process, you should have your social security card, as well as the dates of birth of any family members who will be living with you. Additionally, you will need to provide OHA with proof of income for you and any employed family members. You are only allowed to submit one application to OHA, as duplicate forms will be rejected. OHA states that it's your responsibility to update your application with any changes. This can be done online.

How You Can Apply for OHA Section 8 on Your Own

Please note, the Section 8 waiting lists are currently closed for new applicants at the time of writing, according to the City of Orlando website. You may submit an online application for Section 8 at any time when the waiting list period resumes. After submission, you'll receive a confirmation number acknowledging your submission was successful (be sure to have a pen and paper on hand). Pre-applications do not guarantee your placement in Section 8 housing.

Generally, all the same information and requirements noted above apply to Section 8 applicants as well. The only difference is the Section 8 application form.

If you planning to navigate the Section 8 application form, you must complete the following:

1. Compile all information needed by OHA that can be found on their website.
2. Take time to research the state and country you are planning to live in and open up your options to other alternative locations if ever your first option is currently unavailable in accepting new applicants.
3. Locate and contact the PHA of the region that you’re interested in so that you would know if you are eligible to apply for a housing choice voucher and to also be familiar with their waitlist and notification policy. They may be able to give you a heads up if there’s an opening if you are on their email or mailing list.
4. Be sure to confirm your eligibility from the PHA so that they will add you to their current waitlist for housing vouchers. This may have a waiting period of a few months up to a year though.

Section 8 vs Public Housing

Low-income housing ( equally known as "public housing") and Section 8 shouldn't be confused as the same thing. Firstly, public housing typically comprises entire multi-dwelling developments wholly or partly funded by the United States Government. Contrarily, Section 8 usually involves single-family homes and multi-family homes such as duplexes.

Secondly, rent for public housing is based on an income percentage formula developed by HUD. Public housing rent is also typically much lower than Section 8 and consists primarily of those who are elderly, disabled or low-income. It's worth noting that due to the limited number of Section 8 dwellings, families applying for Section 8 will be placed on a waiting list. If the family's situation calls for it, they will be placed in public housing until a Section 8 dwelling becomes available.

Section 8 Orlando Waiting List: What To Expect

Think of Section 8 government housing as a stepping stone to renting or buying your own home in the future. Unlike public housing where most tenants live on social security or disability benefits, most Section 8 tenants are employed. Further, Section 8 tenants simply need a jump start — an opportunity to be semi-self-dependent without carrying the full weight of rent or a mortgage. This makes Section 8 perfect for new families or families needing a fresh start.

Before beginning the process, it's a great idea to learn how to apply for Section 8.

Orlando Public Housing Waiting List: What To Expect

If you're seeking to obtain housing in a timely fashion, it might be a good idea to start by applying for public housing first. The reason for this is that the Section 8 waiting list tends to be lengthy, with applicants waiting months or even years. The waiting list for public housing is usually significantly shorter. Due to its high turnover rate, the wait could be anywhere from a couple of weeks or a few months. On rare occasions, the wait could be as little as a few days.

However, as mentioned, the waiting list is currently closed, so there is no telling how long the waiting list is at present. But with DoNotPay in your corner, you won't have to worry about that, so contact us today!

How Can DoNotPay Help?

DoNotPay's rental assistance product allows you to skip over the bureaucracy.

We'll ask you some basic questions concerning your financial situation before contacting OHA on your behalf to inquire about the waitlist and your eligibility. From there, we'll learn whether you're eligible for Section 8 housing in Orlando. Once the OHA determines your eligibility, a case officer will contact you directly via email about the next steps.

How To Apply For Section 8 Housing In Orlando With DoNotPay

If you want to apply for Section 8 Housing in Orlando but don't know where to start, DoNotPay has you covered in 2 easy steps:

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.

DoNotPay Works With Just a Click of a Button

DoNotPay does not only solve your problems with section 8 in Orlando but can also help resolve issues with many other different entities

• DoNotPay can help with applying for Section 8 housing the same way it can with government housing programs.
• Or it can help you find low-income housing in Atlanta the same way it could for Orlando.
• It also will give you updates at a consistent pace for each of your applications.