How you actually get a Section 8 voucher

Getting a Section 8 voucher starts with finding your local Public Housing Authority (PHA), filling out their process form, and waiting on their waitlist. Most PHAs are not currently taking new applications — they close their lists when demand is too high — so your first step is calling or visiting your PHA's website to see if they are open. If they are open, you submit an process (usually on paper or online), provide proof of income and citizenship or immigration status, and then wait. Wait times range from a few months to several years depending on where you live and how many people are ahead of you.

Once your name reaches the top of the waitlist, the PHA will contact you for an in-person interview. At that interview, they verify the information you provided, calculate how much rent you will pay (usually 30 percent of your income), and issue you a voucher. The voucher is a document that tells landlords the PHA will pay the difference between your portion and the actual rent, up to a limit set by the PHA. You then have a set amount of time — usually 60 to 120 days — to find a rental unit that meets PHA standards and a landlord willing to accept the voucher.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local Public Housing Authority (PHA) runs Section 8 in your area, and most are not currently accepting new applications because their waitlists are full.
  • If your PHA is open, you submit an process with proof of income, citizenship or immigration status, and household composition, then join the waitlist.
  • Wait times vary widely by location — some areas have waits of a few months, others several years — and the PHA will contact you when your name reaches the top.
  • After your interview and approval, you receive a voucher and typically have 60 to 120 days to find a landlord and rental unit that meets PHA standards.
  • Not all landlords accept Section 8 vouchers, so you may need to contact multiple properties before finding one that will work with you.

Finding your local Public Housing Authority

Your PHA is a local government agency, not a federal office. Each city or county runs its own program. To find yours, search "[your city or county] Public Housing Authority" or visit the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) website, which has a searchable list of all PHAs by state and region.

Once you find your PHA's contact information, call them or visit their office in person. Ask directly: "Are you currently accepting new Section 8 applications?" This is the only question that matters at this stage. If they say no, ask when they expect to reopen and whether you can get on a notification list. Some PHAs reopen their applications once a year; others have not opened in years. If your PHA is closed, you may be able to explore to a neighboring county's PHA if you plan to move there, but rules vary by region.

What documents and information you need to bring

When you explore, bring proof of income for everyone in your household who earns money. This 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 and business records. If you have no income, bring a letter from a social service agency stating that.

You will also need proof of citizenship or immigration status. A U.S. birth certificate, passport, or state ID showing citizenship works. If you are not a citizen, bring your green card, work permit, or other immigration documents. The PHA will make a copy.

Bring proof of your household composition: birth certificates for children, marriage certificate if applicable, and custody papers if any children do not live with both parents. You will also need your Social Security number and the Social Security numbers of everyone in your household. The PHA will run a background check, so be prepared to disclose any criminal history or prior evictions.

The process process and what happens next

Most PHAs use a paper process form, though some now accept online submissions. The form asks for your name, income, household members, current address, and contact information. You fill it out at the PHA office or at home and return it in person or by mail. Some PHAs charge a small process fee, usually under $50, though many waive it for low-income households.

After you submit your process, the PHA adds you to their waitlist in the order they received it. Some PHAs give preference to people with certain circumstances — for example, people experiencing homelessness, people with disabilities, or people living in substandard housing — and may move them higher on the list. Ask your PHA if preferences explore in your area.

The PHA will contact you when your name reaches the top of the waitlist. This contact usually comes by phone or mail. If you do not respond within a set time — typically 10 to 30 days — they may remove you from the list. Make sure the PHA has a current phone number and address where they can reach you.

The interview and approval

When the PHA calls you in for an interview, bring all the same documents you brought with your process, plus any updates. The interviewer will verify your income, household size, and immigration status. They will ask about any criminal history, prior evictions, or other factors that might disqualify you. The PHA has the right to deny you if you have certain criminal convictions, a history of drug-related activity, or a pattern of lease violations, though rules vary by state and PHA.

If you are approved, the PHA calculates your portion of the rent. This is usually 30 percent of your gross monthly income, though some PHAs use adjusted income (which may subtract certain expenses). The PHA then issues you a voucher, which is a letter or document stating the maximum rent they will cover and the maximum amount you will pay. This voucher is valid for a set period — usually 60 to 120 days — during which you must find a rental unit.

Finding a landlord and rental unit that accepts Section 8

Once you have a voucher, you can start looking for an apartment or house. Not all landlords accept Section 8 vouchers. Some refuse because they believe the rent will be lower, the paperwork is burdensome, or they have other reasons. You will need to contact landlords directly and ask whether they accept Section 8. Many will say no when ready.

When you find a unit and a landlord willing to work with you, the landlord must sign a lease with both you and the PHA. The PHA will inspect the unit to make sure it meets housing quality standards — things like working plumbing, heat, electricity, and no major safety hazards. If the unit fails inspection, the landlord must fix the problems before you can move in. Once the unit passes inspection and the lease is signed, the PHA begins paying their portion of the rent directly to the landlord each month.

What happens if you do not find a unit in time

If your voucher expires before you find a rental unit, you can usually request an extension from the PHA. Extensions are not may provide, but most PHAs grant them if you can show you made a good-faith effort to find housing. Keep records of the units you looked at and the landlords you contacted. If you cannot find a unit that accepts Section 8 in your area, talk to your PHA about whether they can extend your voucher or put you back on the waitlist.

Some people find that landlords in their area straightforward will not accept Section 8. If this is the case, you may need to look in a different neighborhood or county, or wait until your PHA reopens their waitlist and you can reapply. This is a real barrier in some regions, and it is worth asking your PHA upfront what percentage of landlords in the area accept vouchers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my PHA's waitlist is closed?

Most PHAs are not currently taking applications. Call your PHA and ask when they expect to reopen. Some reopen once a year on a specific date; others have not reopened in years. Ask if you can join a notification list so they contact you when applications reopen. You can also check neighboring counties' PHAs to see if they are open and whether you can move to that area.

Can I explore to more than one PHA at the same time?

Yes. If you live near a county line or plan to move, you can explore to multiple PHAs. However, once you receive a voucher from one PHA, you must use it and cannot hold vouchers from multiple agencies at the same time. explore to several PHAs increases your chances of getting a voucher sooner.

What disqualifies you from getting a Section 8 voucher?

Each PHA has different rules, but common reasons for denial include certain drug-related convictions, a history of violence, or repeated lease violations. Immigration status matters — you must be a U.S. citizen or have may be able to access immigration status. Ask your PHA what their specific disqualifying factors are before you explore.

How long does the whole process take from process to move-in?

This varies dramatically by location. In some areas, you might wait a few months from process to interview, then another month or two to find housing. In others, the waitlist alone is several years. Once you have a voucher, finding a landlord usually takes a few weeks to a few months, depending on how many landlords in your area accept Section 8.

What if a landlord refuses to rent to me even though they accept Section 8?

Landlords can refuse to rent to you for reasons unrelated to the voucher — for example, a failed background check or poor rental history. However, they cannot refuse you solely because you use Section 8. If you believe you were discriminated against because of your voucher status, you can file a complaint with your PHA or HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity.