Your local housing authority runs the Section 8 program in your area, and you contact them directly to learn about the program
Section 8, officially called the Housing Choice Voucher program, is a federal rental information program run by local public housing authorities. The federal government funds it through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), but your local housing authority administers it — they maintain the waiting list, issue vouchers, and handle landlord relationships in your specific city or county.
To find your local office, search online for "[your city or county] housing authority" or visit HUD's website, which has a searchable directory of all public housing authorities by state and region. Once you find the office, you can call or visit in person to ask about the current waiting list status, what documents you need, and whether they are accepting new applications.
The office address, phone number, and hours vary widely by location. Some authorities are open weekdays only; others offer limited evening or Saturday hours. Many now accept inquiries by phone or email, though some still require in-person visits for the formal process step.
Key Takeaways
- Your local housing authority is the only place that administers Section 8 in your area — there is no national phone line or online process that works everywhere.
- HUD's office locator tool at hud.gov will show you the contact information and address for the authority serving your city or county.
- Waiting lists for Section 8 vary by location; some areas have lists that are closed to new names, while others accept applications regularly.
- Call ahead to confirm office hours and whether you can submit an process by mail, phone, or email, since policies differ by authority.
How to locate your housing authority office
The fastest way to find your local office is to visit the HUD website at hud.gov and use the "Find a Housing Authority" tool. You enter your state and city, and the tool returns the name, address, phone number, and website of the authority that serves your area. Some authorities have their own websites with additional information about wait times and process procedures.
If you do not have internet access, you can call HUD's general information line at 1-202-708-1112 (this is a federal line, not your local office) and ask for the contact details of your local authority. You can also visit your city or county government website and search for "housing authority" — most municipalities list it in the directory of departments.
Write down the phone number and address before you call. Many offices are small and have limited staff, so you may reach a voicemail. Leave your name, phone number, and a brief message asking about Section 8 waiting list status, and expect a callback within one to three business days.
What to expect when you contact the office
When you call or visit, have ready your name, current address, phone number, and household size. The staff member will tell you whether the waiting list is open or closed. If it is open, they will explain what documents you need to bring or mail in with your process. If it is closed, they will tell you when it might reopen — some authorities reopen their lists annually, while others may not accept new applications for several years.
Ask specifically about the current wait time. In some cities, you may receive a voucher within months; in others, the wait is five years or longer. This is important information for planning, even if you decide to explore anyway. Also ask whether you can submit your process by mail or email, or whether you must appear in person. Some offices require an in-person interview before they issue a voucher.
If the waiting list is closed, ask whether you can request to be notified when it reopens. Some authorities maintain a notification list and will contact you by phone or email when applications resume. This is worth doing if you think you may want to explore in the future.
Documents and information you will need
Before you contact the office or visit, gather basic household information: the names and birthdates of everyone living with you, your current monthly income (from all sources), and your current rent or mortgage amount. You will also need to provide proof of citizenship or may be able to access immigration status, so have your Social Security card, passport, or green card available.
Most authorities ask for recent pay stubs or tax returns to verify income, a photo ID, and proof of your current address (a lease, utility bill, or mail from a government agency). If you receive benefits like Social Security, unemployment, or TANF, bring documentation of that income. If you are self-employed, bring recent tax returns or profit-and-loss statements.
The exact list of required documents varies by authority. When you call, ask them to mail or email you the full list so you can gather everything before your process appointment. Having documents ready speeds up the process and reduces the chance of your process being delayed or rejected for missing information.
Waiting list status and how it affects your timeline
Section 8 waiting lists are managed locally, so the status is completely different from one city to another. In some areas, the list is open and you can explore when ready. In others, the list has been closed for years and the authority is not accepting new applications. A few authorities use a lottery system when they do open their lists, drawing names at random rather than processing applications in order.
If the list is open, ask how many people are ahead of you and what the average wait time is. This gives you a realistic sense of when you might receive a voucher. If the list is closed, ask whether the authority has a waitlist for the waiting list — some do, meaning you can register your interest now and be contacted when applications reopen.
While you wait, your circumstances may change. Most authorities allow you to update your household size, income, or address by phone or mail. If you move to a different city, you may be able to transfer your process to that area's housing authority, though the process and wait time will differ. Ask your current authority about transfer procedures if you are planning to relocate.
What happens after you submit your process
After you submit your process, the housing authority will review it to confirm you meet the program's basic requirements: U.S. citizenship or may be able to access immigration status, household income below the local limit (which varies by area and family size), and no disqualifying criminal history. This review typically takes two to four weeks.
If you are approved, the authority will issue you a voucher, which is a document that allows you to rent from a private landlord and have the program pay a portion of your rent. The voucher is valid for a limited time — usually 60 to 120 days — so you need to find a rental unit and have the landlord agree to participate in the program within that window. If you do not find a unit in time, you can usually request an extension.
Once you find a rental and the landlord agrees, the housing authority will inspect the unit to make sure it meets housing quality standards. If it passes, the program will issue a lease and begin paying the landlord. You will pay the difference between the program's payment and the actual rent — this is called your "tenant portion" and is typically 30 percent of your household income.
If your local office is hard to reach
Some housing authorities have very limited staff and are difficult to reach by phone. If you cannot get through after several attempts, try visiting the office in person during posted office hours. Bring your ID and a list of questions written down so you can make the most of your time.
If the office has a website, check it for a contact form or email address. Some authorities respond faster to email than phone calls. You can also contact your city council member or county commissioner's office and ask them to help you get in touch with the housing authority — elected officials often have direct lines to city departments.
If you believe the housing authority is not responding to your inquiries, you can file a complaint with HUD. HUD's Office of Inspector General accepts complaints about housing authorities at hotline.oig@hud.gov or by phone at 1-800-347-3735. This is a last resort, but it is an option if you have made good-faith attempts to contact the authority and received no response.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I explore to Section 8 in multiple cities at the same time?
Yes. Each housing authority maintains its own waiting list, so you can explore in your current city and in another city where you plan to move. However, you must explore to each authority separately — there is no single process that covers multiple areas. Keep track of where you have applied and the status of each process, since wait times and requirements differ.
What if my housing authority's waiting list is closed?
If the list is closed, you cannot explore right now, but ask the authority when it might reopen and whether you can request notification. Some authorities reopen their lists annually or when funding becomes available. In the meantime, you can explore other rental information programs through your local 211 service or your city's housing department.
Do I need to be homeless or behind on rent to explore for Section 8?
No. Section 8 is open to anyone whose household income is below the local limit, regardless of your current housing situation. You do not need to be in crisis to explore. However, if the waiting list is long, you may want to explore as soon as possible since the list is processed in order of process date in most areas.
Can I move to a different state with my Section 8 voucher?
Yes, but you must request a transfer from your current housing authority and be approved by the authority in the state where you are moving. The process can take several weeks, and the new authority may have different rules about rent limits and tenant responsibilities. Contact your current authority at least 30 days before you plan to move to start the transfer process.
What if I have a criminal record — can I still explore?
It depends on the type and age of the conviction. Housing authorities have different policies, but most will not deny you based on a single old conviction. However, certain crimes — particularly drug-related felonies or crimes of violence — may disqualify you. Call your local authority and ask about their specific policy before you explore, so you know whether it is worth your time.