HOW TO APPLY FOR SECTION 8 - Housing Choice Vouchers

If you need rental assistance, you should first contact a local Public Housing Agency where you live or may want to move to. You may visit our Directory or go to the HUD (Housing and Urban Development) website.

You may have several options in the type of housing, depending upon your eligibility, availability and location.

1. Public Housing - these are apartments or other type of units typically run by the local housing agency. 

2. Privately Owned Subsidized Housing - HUD assists / subsidizes developers or owners to provide reduce rate housing to qualified tenants.

3. Housing Choice Voucher - the tenant finds a home (apartment, condo, house) in which the landlord agrees to accept a portion of the rent from the issuing Public Housing Agency or State with the tenant paying a portion. Rent is based on "market rate" and tenant qualifications. The portion paid by agency will vary based on tenant income, number of children and if they are a single parent. Other factors include the size of the unit and market rent - including all costs for maintaining the unit. 

All costs to maintain the unit per month would include:

• The Rent

• Utilities (Gas, Electric, Water)

• Other fees charged by the landlord

The tenant must be able to qualify to pay their portion of the rent PLUS the other costs to live.

The tenant must go to a local Public Housing Agency to complete a request for Public Housing Assistance. There may be very long waiting list. The Tenant may apply to different Public Housing Agencies. Once awarded, the voucher may be transferable. Check with your local Public Housing Agency.

Once a Tenant receives housing assistance, the case is evaluated each year to review the family status, income and other factors including the base rent.