Section 8 Tenant
- Emergency Housing Assistance
- Emergency Rental Assistance Program
- Section 8 Housing
- Section 8 Application
- Section 8 Eligibility
- Section 8 Voucher
- Section 8 Waiting list
- Section 8 Portability Process & Moving
- Landlord and Housing Discrimination
- Case Management & Research
- Low Income Housing
- Affordable Housing
- Subsidized Housing
- (HUD- VASH) VA Supportive Housing
- (VAWA Housing) Domestic Violent Housing
- (HOPWA) Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS
- (RRH) Rapid Rehousing
- (PSH) Permanent Supportive House
- Homeless Housing
- Housing for Ex Felons
- Section 202 Seniors Housing
- Section 811 Housing for Disabled
The world of section 8 can be daunting and confusing, but the core mechanics are fairly simple – it all starts with a so-called payment standard. Payment standards are figures calculated by local public housing agencies to represent the average cost of rent for any given area. People who can’t afford the payment standard are often forced into cheap, low-quality rentals in poor neighborhoods – a problem that Section 8 is designed to rectify.
Section 8 helps these low-income residents by assessing how much rent they can reasonably afford (via financial records) and comparing that amount to the payment standard. If their application is successful, the Housing Authority will then issue pre-paid housing vouchers to make up the difference. Monthly vouchers can also be put towards the purchase of a home, helping to reduce the disparity in homeownership rates between different income groups.
Once housing vouchers have been issued, it’s up to the recipient to find a property of their choice. The rental application is much the same as any other, but a Section 8 agreement does need to be signed by both the landlord and the tenant. This is to ensure that both parties are aware of the terms and conditions of Section 8 – and fear not, most landlords will not discriminate on the basis of Section 8 status. In fact, some states even have laws that prevent it.
If you’re a renter who needs to know how to get section 8 or a landlord who is unsure of the regulations and requirements, please get in touch today for a complete walk-through.
Before you complete a Section 8 application, it’s a good idea to make sure you meet the preliminary requirements. Though there are some exceptions, Section 8 eligibility generally depends on four basic criteria as outlined by The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
They are:
- Family status: To receive housing vouchers, you first need to meet HUD’s definition of ‘family’. But don’t panic – that doesn’t mean the nuclear family you see on TV. Though some general guidelines do exist, public housing authorities in each state have the authority to decide for themselves what constitutes a family. If you’re unsure about your own family status, contact me here for professional advice and guidance.
- Income level: The Section 8 waiting list is long and growing, with many thousands of people joining the queue each year. As a result, it’s only natural that the Housing Authority will need to review your financial records before sending any vouchers your way. HUD sets three income limits each year for this purpose: extremely low income, very low income and low income. To see where you fall (as well as how this relates to the size of your household), feel free to contact me.
- Citizenship status: As with most applications, HUD housing assistance will only be granted to American citizens or those with eligible immigration status. To prove citizenship or immigration status, you will need to provide relevant documentation and identification to your public housing authority when they request it. To check your eligibility beforehand or for help getting your papers in order, contact me.
- Eviction history: A HUD housing application will be rejected if the applicant has been evicted from a property in the last three years for drug-related crimes. Likewise, a conviction for producing methamphetamine in assisted housing is a disqualifying factor. For confidential alcohol and drug addiction hotlines, please visit the American Addiction Centers website here.
- Long-winded application process: A lot of people ask me how to get section 8 immediately, and the short answer is: you can’t. Navigating the system can be difficult – especially for the elderly, the visually and hearing impaired and non-native English speakers.
- Never-ending waiting lists: For every household that receives a housing voucher, countless others are left empty-handed. Without help from a consultant, many people remain on waiting lists for years.
- Shifting goalposts: HUD sets new income limits each year, meaning the threshold for applications can change under your feet. You may even be moved from the high-priority ‘extremely low income’ group to another group without warning.
- Discrimination: A growing body of research suggests that many individuals have been unfairly denied housing vouchers on the grounds of racial and religious discrimination.