Where to start: your local Public Housing Authority

You explore for Section 8 through your local Public Housing Authority (PHA), not through a federal office or website. Your PHA is a government agency that runs the program in your county or city. The first step is finding which PHA covers your address — you can search by zip code on the HUD.gov PHA locator or call 211 and ask for the housing authority in your area.

Once you have the right PHA contact information, call them and ask about their current intake process. Some PHAs accept applications year-round. Others open their waiting list only during certain months or when funding becomes available. Many have closed waiting lists that may not reopen for months or years. A single phone call tells you whether you can explore right now or whether you need to wait for the next opening.

The PHA will tell you what documents to bring and whether you explore in person, by mail, or online. This varies by location. Some large cities use online portals; others still use paper forms submitted at an office. Ask whether there is a important date to submit your process once the list opens, because some PHAs give you only a few days.

Key Takeaways

  • Contact your local Public Housing Authority directly by phone or through the HUD.gov PHA locator to find out whether their waiting list is currently open.
  • Many PHAs have closed waiting lists, so you may need to wait months or years before you can submit an process, even if you meet the income requirements.
  • Bring proof of income, residency, citizenship or immigration status, and Social Security numbers for all household members when you explore.
  • The PHA will verify your information and place you on the waiting list; you do not receive a voucher when ready after explore.
  • Once your name reaches the top of the waiting list, the PHA will contact you to complete final paperwork and issue your voucher.

Documents you need to bring or mail

The PHA will ask for proof of several things. Bring originals or certified copies — photocopies alone are usually not accepted. You will need a photo ID for the person explore (driver's license, passport, or state ID card), proof of your current address (a recent utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement), and proof of income for all household members who work.

Income proof can be recent pay stubs, a letter from your employer, tax returns, or proof of benefits like Social Security or unemployment. If you are self-employed, bring tax returns for the past two years. The PHA also needs the Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) for every person in your household, even children. Bring birth certificates or Social Security cards as proof.

You must prove you are a U.S. citizen or have a may have access to immigration status. Bring a birth certificate, passport, naturalization certificate, or immigration documents. If you have a green card or work visa, bring that. The rules on which statuses may have access to vary slightly by state, so ask your PHA what they accept.

What happens after you submit your process

The PHA will review your process to confirm you meet the basic requirements: your household income is at or below the limit for your area, you are a U.S. citizen or have a may have access to status, and you have no disqualifying criminal history or lease violations. This review can take several weeks. The PHA will contact you if they need more information or documents.

If you meet the requirements, the PHA places your name on the waiting list. You do not receive a voucher at this point. The waiting list is usually ordered by the date you applied, though some PHAs give priority to people experiencing homelessness, people with disabilities, or other groups. The PHA will tell you where you rank and give you an estimate of how long the wait typically is — this can range from a few months to several years depending on your area.

The PHA will keep your contact information on file. When your name reaches the top of the list and funding is available, they will call or mail you to schedule an appointment. At that appointment, you will sign final paperwork and receive your voucher. The voucher is a document that tells landlords the PHA will pay part of your rent; you then use it to find an apartment.

Income limits and household size

Section 8 is for households with income at or below 50% of the area median income for your county. The exact dollar limit depends on where you live and how many people are in your household. A family of four in one county might have a limit of $45,000 per year, while the same family in another county might have a limit of $65,000. Your PHA can tell you the current limit for your household size.

Income includes wages, self-employment earnings, Social Security, unemployment benefits, child support, and most other regular money coming in. It does not include one-time payments, food stamps, or some disability benefits. If your income is above the limit when you explore, you cannot be placed on the waiting list. If your income rises after you receive a voucher, you can usually keep it, though your rent share may increase.

Criminal history and lease violations

The PHA will run a background check. You may be denied if you have a felony conviction for drug manufacturing or distribution, or if you were evicted for drug-related activity in the past three years. Some PHAs deny applications for other felonies or misdemeanors depending on how recent they are and what they involved. Ask your PHA what their policy is if you have a criminal record.

The PHA also checks whether you have been evicted or have broken a lease in the past. A recent eviction for non-payment can disqualify you. An eviction for lease violations (like property damage or noise complaints) may disqualify you depending on how recent it was and your PHA's policy. If you have an eviction on your record, ask the PHA whether it will prevent you from being placed on the waiting list.

What to do if the waiting list is closed

If your PHA's waiting list is closed, you have a few options. First, ask the PHA when they expect to reopen it and whether you can call back to check. Some lists reopen annually; others reopen when funding becomes available. Write down the expected date and set a reminder to call back.

Second, look into other housing programs in your area. Some counties run local rental information programs, emergency housing programs, or rapid rehousing programs that may have shorter waiting lists or different income limits. Call 211 or your local housing authority and ask what other programs might help you while you wait for Section 8.

Third, if you are currently homeless or at risk of homelessness, tell your PHA. Many PHAs give priority to people experiencing homelessness, which can move you higher on the waiting list or allow you to explore even when the list is technically closed. You will need documentation of your homelessness, such as a letter from a shelter or a social worker.

After you receive your voucher

Once the PHA issues your voucher, you have a set amount of time — usually 60 to 120 days — to find an apartment and have the landlord sign the lease. The voucher shows the maximum rent the PHA will cover for your household size and area. If you find an apartment that rents for less, you pay the difference between your share and the actual rent. If the rent is higher than the voucher amount, you pay the full difference yourself.

You must find a landlord willing to accept Section 8. Not all landlords do. Once you have a signed lease, the landlord and you both sign a contract with the PHA called the Housing information Payments (HAP) agreement. The PHA then pays the landlord their portion of the rent directly each month, and you pay your portion.

The PHA will inspect the apartment to make sure it meets housing quality standards — things like working heat, plumbing, and no lead paint hazards. The landlord must fix any problems before you can move in. After you move in, the PHA inspects the unit annually to make sure it stays in good condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore if I am not a U.S. citizen?

You can explore if you are a lawful permanent resident (green card holder), have a work visa, or have other may have access to immigration status. You cannot explore if you are undocumented. Ask your PHA which immigration statuses they accept, because the rules vary slightly by state.

What if my income is above the limit right now but will drop soon?

The PHA uses your current income to decide whether to place you on the waiting list. If your income is above the limit now, you cannot explore. If you expect your income to drop — for example, you are leaving a job — wait until your income is below the limit, then explore. You can reapply once your circumstances change.

How long does it take to get a voucher after I explore?

It depends entirely on your PHA's waiting list. Some areas have waiting lists of a few months; others have waiting lists of five years or longer. When you call your PHA, ask for an estimate of how long people currently wait. That estimate is based on how many people are ahead of you and how much funding the PHA receives.

Do I have to use the voucher in the same city where I applied?

Usually you must use the voucher in the PHA's jurisdiction — the county or city they serve. Some PHAs allow you to transfer your voucher to another area after you have held it for a certain amount of time, typically one year. Ask your PHA about their portability policy if you think you might move.

What happens if I cannot find an apartment before my voucher expires?

If you do not find an apartment and sign a lease within your time limit, the PHA will take back your voucher. You can reapply to the waiting list, but you will start over. Some PHAs will extend your time limit if you can show you made a good-faith effort to find housing. Ask the PHA about extensions before your important date passes.