Yes, men can get Section 8 vouchers under the same rules as anyone else

Section 8 housing vouchers are not restricted by gender. Men, women, and non-binary people can all hold vouchers if they meet the income and citizenship requirements set by the Public Housing Authority (PHA) in their area. There is no separate process process for men, and no program rule that excludes men from the waiting list.

What matters to a PHA is whether your household income falls below the limit for your area, whether you are a U.S. citizen or have may be able to access immigration status, and whether you pass a background check. Gender does not appear in any of those criteria. If you have heard that Section 8 is "for families" or "for women," that is a misunderstanding — the program covers single men, single women, families of any composition, and elderly or disabled people living alone.

The real barrier for most people seeking Section 8 is the waiting list. Most PHAs have closed their lists to new applicants because demand far exceeds available vouchers. When a list does open, it may stay open for only a few days or weeks. Once you are on the list, wait times can stretch from one to ten years depending on your area and your household type.

Key Takeaways

  • Section 8 vouchers are available to men, women, and any household composition that meets income and citizenship requirements.
  • Your PHA's waiting list is usually closed, so you need to check their website or call to find out when it opens next.
  • Some PHAs give priority to people with disabilities, elderly applicants, or people experiencing homelessness, but these rules vary by location.
  • Once you receive a voucher, you can rent from any landlord who accepts Section 8 — the voucher itself is not tied to a specific property or building.

How waiting lists work and why they matter for men

The waiting list is the first hurdle. Your local PHA maintains a list of people waiting for vouchers, and they issue vouchers in the order people applied — though some PHAs use a lottery system instead, and some give priority to certain groups.

Most waiting lists are closed right now. That means you cannot add your name today. You have to wait until the PHA announces an opening, which might happen once every few years or might not happen for a decade. When a list does open, the announcement is usually posted on the PHA's website and sometimes in local news, but there is no national notification system. You have to check your local PHA's website yourself or call them to ask when they expect to open the list next.

Once you are on the list, you wait. The time varies wildly by location. Rural areas and smaller cities might move through their list in one to three years. Large cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago have wait times of five to ten years or longer. During that time, your circumstances can change — your income might go up or down, you might move, you might get married or divorced. The PHA will ask you to update your information periodically, and if your income rises above the limit, you may be removed from the list.

Income limits and how they are calculated for single men

Section 8 is designed for households earning below 50 percent of the area median income (AMI), though some PHAs set their own limits lower. The income limit for a single person varies by location because it is based on what people earn in your area, not a national number.

For a single man, the PHA counts your gross income — wages, self-employment income, Social Security, unemployment benefits, child support you receive, and most other money coming in. They do not count some things: the first $65 per month of unearned income, and certain benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Temporary information for Needy Families (TANF) in some cases. If you are unsure whether a particular income source counts, ask your PHA directly, because the rules can vary slightly.

If your income is above the limit, you cannot get a voucher. If your income is below the limit and you are on the waiting list, you will eventually be called. At that point, the PHA will verify your income again using recent tax returns, pay stubs, or other documents. If your income has risen above the limit by then, you may be denied, so it is important to report changes to the PHA as they happen.

Background checks and criminal history

The PHA will run a background check on you before issuing a voucher. A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you, but certain convictions do. Federal law bars people convicted of manufacturing methamphetamine anywhere in the United States from ever receiving Section 8. Some other drug convictions can also disqualify you, depending on when they occurred and what state you live in.

Violent felonies, sex offenses, and other serious crimes may also result in denial, though the PHA is supposed to consider how long ago the conviction was and whether you have rehabilitated. Each PHA has its own policy on how far back they look and which crimes they consider disqualifying. If you have a criminal record, contact your local PHA before you explore to ask whether you would be denied. Some PHAs will tell you over the phone; others will ask you to come in and discuss it.

Eviction history is also checked. If you were evicted for non-payment of rent in the past three years, most PHAs will deny you. If you were evicted for lease violations (like having unauthorized occupants or causing damage), the PHA may still deny you, though policies vary. Again, ask your PHA about their specific policy before you explore.

Citizenship and immigration status requirements

You must be a U.S. citizen or have may be able to access immigration status to receive Section 8. may be able to access statuses include lawful permanent residents (green card holders), refugees, asylees, and certain other categories. Undocumented immigrants are not may be able to access, and neither are people on temporary visas like H-1B or student visas.

The PHA will ask for proof of citizenship or may be able to access status. This usually means a birth certificate or passport for citizens, or a green card for permanent residents. If you are a refugee or asylee, you will need documentation from the Department of Homeland Security. If you are not sure whether your status qualifies, bring whatever immigration documents you have to the PHA office and ask them to review it.

What happens after you receive a voucher

Once the PHA issues you a voucher, you can search for an apartment on your own. You are not assigned to a specific building or landlord. You find a place you want to rent, negotiate a lease with the landlord, and then the PHA inspects the unit to make sure it meets housing quality standards. The inspection checks things like working plumbing, heat, electrical outlets, and the absence of lead paint or mold.

If the unit passes inspection, the PHA pays the landlord a portion of the rent (usually 60 to 70 percent, depending on your income and the local payment standard), and you pay the rest out of pocket. You sign a lease with the landlord just like any other tenant. The voucher is yours to use as long as you stay within income limits and follow the program rules — you cannot sublet, you cannot have unauthorized occupants, and you have to report changes in your household or income to the PHA.

Vouchers are portable in most cases, meaning you can move to a different unit or even a different state and keep using your voucher, though you have to follow the PHA's procedures for moving. Some vouchers are not portable, so ask your PHA about their policy before you move.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be a family to get Section 8?

No. Single men, single women, and people living alone are all may be able to access for Section 8. The program is sometimes called "family housing," but that is because it serves families, not because it is limited to families. may be able to access is based on income and citizenship, not household composition.

What if I have a disability?

Some PHAs give priority on their waiting list to people with disabilities. The rules vary by location, so contact your local PHA to ask whether they have a preference category for disabled applicants. If they do, you will need documentation of your disability, usually from a doctor or the Social Security Administration.

Can I use my Section 8 voucher anywhere I want?

You can use it in any unit that meets housing quality standards and whose rent is at or below the PHA's payment standard for that area. Most landlords accept Section 8, but some do not. You cannot force a landlord to accept a voucher, so you may have to search longer to find a willing landlord. Some areas have fair housing organizations that can help you if you face discrimination.

What if my income goes up after I get a voucher?

If your income rises above the limit, you do not lose your voucher when ready. Most PHAs allow you to stay in the program for a grace period, usually one to two years, and then you are terminated. During that time, your rent contribution goes up as your income rises. Ask your PHA what their specific policy is on income limits for current voucher holders.

How do I find out when my local waiting list opens?

Check your local PHA's website — search for "[your city] Public Housing Authority" or "[your county] housing authority." Most PHAs post waiting list opening announcements on their website. You can also call the PHA directly and ask when they expect to open the list next. Some areas have housing search websites or 211 referral lines that track waiting list openings, so those are worth checking too.