State Housing Program
Hud Program Assistance. Section 8 Voucher Program. Apply For Section 8

What is Section 8?

Also known as the Housing Choice Voucher Program, Section 8 is the federal government's housing program that helps elderly, disabled and low income families affords the cost of housing in the private sector. This housing program assists voucher holders, on behalf of their family, to find their own house which includes townhouses, apartments or single-family homes. The voucher holder can select any housing unit that satisfies the program's requirements and is not limited to homes situated in subsidized housing programs.

This Section 8 housing program is locally run by public housing agencies (PHA). The U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development provides funds to these PHAs to locally run the housing program.

How does it Work?

The participants issued with a housing voucher are free to choose the right housing unit they like, where in the landlord agrees to rent under the program. The chosen housing unit can be the current residence of the participant as well. The housing unit must also meet the safety and health standards set by the PHA.

The PHA pays the housing subsidy to the landlord in behalf of the participant. Then, the participating family pays the difference between the actual cost of rent of the landlord and the program's subsidized amount. In some cases, the participating family may be able to use voucher to buy a home depending on PHA's authorization.

The housing program puts the responsibility of choosing a home to its participants. PHA encourages participating families to consider several housing options and choices and decide on the size of the housing unit based on the family size and composition.

Once the participant has chosen the suitable housing unit for his/her family, and the housing unit has passed the safety and health standards of the PHA, the PHA will then inspect the chosen home to check if the requested rent cost is reasonable.

The participating family in this housing program can choose a rent that is above or below the payment standard. The participating family will need to pay at least thirty percent of its monthly adjusted household's gross income for utilities and rent. If the rent is greater than the payment standard, the housing voucher family must pay the additional amount. The voucher holder is not allowed to pay more than forty percent of its adjusted household's monthly income for rent.

Who Qualifies for Housing Authority and Section 8?

The housing Choice Voucher Program gives preference to low income families. Generally, the PHA determines the eligibility of the housing voucher applicants based on the following criteria:

• Total Gross Family Income The gross family income must not be more than 50% of the median for the area where live. Median level of income vary by location. The local agency in your area can provide the income limits in your area.
• Elderly 62 years old or older
• U.S. Armed Services veteran, widow or widower
• Family size and composition
• Disabled
• Citizenship US citizens or non-citizens who have eligible immigration status
• Employment Status
• First time home buyers

Other than the above criteria, PHA may also check credit report, criminal offender record information (CORI), landlord history, etc. PHA will verify the information gathered with other local agencies, bank, employer, etc and will use this information to check if the applicant is eligible for the program. If the applicant is eligible, he/she will be contacted and will be issued a housing voucher.

How can you apply?

Those who want to take advantage of the section 8 voucher program may apply at:

• Regional non- profit housing agencies
• Housing Authority - Public Housing Agency (PHA).

Regional agencies issue Section 8 vouchers from the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Find the nearest housing agency in your area.

When applying, you can put your name on DHCD waiting lists and PHA waiting lists at the same time. Usually the waiting lists for this program are long. You also have the option to apply at any public housing agencies in other states. If you obtained your housing authority voucher from a different state, you may have to move to the area where you received your voucher. Make sure you inform your housing agency if you are moving to another state or location so they may be able to contact you when the voucher becomes available.

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