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Latest News:

Section 8 Waiting List Announcements - August 15, 2022

Data connects toxic waste sites and federal housing assistance - August 10, 2022

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Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Waiting List News for August, 16th 2022

Pinellas County, FL Section 8 HCV Waiting List

Opens on August 30th, 2022

The Pinellas County Housing Authority (PCHA) Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list applications will be accepted from August 30, 2022 at 9:00 am, until September 1, 2022 at 5:00 pm ET.


Learn How To Apply

Gainesville, FL Section 8 HCV waiting List

Opens on August 25th, 2022

The Gainesville Housing Authority (GHA) Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list applications will be accepted from August 25, 2022 at 10:00 am ET, until 800 applications have been received.


Learn How To Apply

Yolo County, CA Section 8 HCV Waiting List

Opens on August 22nd, 2022

The Yolo County Housing (YCH) Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list applications will be accepted from August 22, 2022 at 1:00 pm, until August 31, 2022 at 5:00 pm PT, or when the maximum number of applications have been received.


Learn How To Apply

Multi-County, IN Section 8 HCV Waiting List

Open until August 26th, 2022

The Lincoln Hills Development Corporation (LHDC) Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list applications are being accepted from July 25, 2022 at 8:00 am, until August 26, 2022 at 4:00 pm CT.


Learn How To Apply

Oahu, HI Public Housing Waiting List

Opens on August 29th, 2022

The Hawaii Public Housing Authority (HPHA) Family Federal Public Housing waiting list applications for 2-Bedroom apartments in Windward are being accepted from August 29, 2022 at 8:00 am, until September 2, 2022 at 4:30 pm HT, or until 1,000 applications have been received.


Learn How To Apply

Oahu, HI Public Housing Waiting List

Opens on August 22nd, 2022

The Hawaii Public Housing Authority (HPHA) Family Federal Public Housing waiting list applications for 1, 2 and 3-Bedroom apartments in Leeward are being accepted from August 22, 2022 at 8:00 am, until August 26, 2022 at 4:30 pm HT, or until 1,000 applications have been received.


Learn How To Apply

Bernalillo County, NM Section 8 HCV Waiting List

Open until September 16th, 2022

The Bernalillo County Housing Department (BCHD) Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list applications for Bernalillo County will be accepted from August 16, 2022 at 8:00 am, until September 16, 2022 at 5:00 pm MT.


Learn How To Apply

Kenosha, WI Section 8 HCV Waiting List

Opens on August 24th, 2022

The Kenosha Housing Authority (KHA) Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list applications will be accepted for one day only on August 24, 2022 from 9:00 am until 9:00 pm CT.


Learn How To Apply

Roanoke, VA Section 8 HCV Waiting List

Open until August 19th, 2022

The Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA) Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list applications will be accepted from August 15, 2022 at 8:30 am, until August 19, 2022 at 5:00 pm ET. 


Learn How To Apply

Mesa, AZ Section 8 HCV Waiting List

Opens on August 17th, 2022

The City of Mesa Housing Authority (CMHA) Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list applications will be accepted from August 17, 2022 at 10:00 am, until August 30, 2022 at 5:00 pm MT.


Learn How To Apply

Bessemer and Brighton, AL Public Housing Waiting List

Open until September 19th, 2022

The Jefferson County Housing Authority (JCHA) Bessemer Public Housing waiting list applications for 2 and 3-Bedroom apartments at Terrace Manor I, Terrace Manor II and Oak Ridge will be accepted from August 8, 2022, until September 19, 2022 at 4:00 pm CT.


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Multi-County, MI Section 8 HCV Waiting List

Open until August 30th, 2022

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list applications for Alcona, Alpena, Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Iosco, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon and Wexford County will be accepted from August 2, 2022 at 9:00 am, until August 30, 2022 at 3:00 pm ET. 


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Clark County, NV Public Housing and Other Properties Waiting Lists

Open until September 20th, 2022

The Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority (SNRHA) Conventional Public Housing and other properties waiting list applications are accepted from June 21, 2022 at 7:00 am, until September 20, 2022 at 5:00 pm PT.


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Okanogan County, WA Section 8 HCV Waiting List

Open until September 8th, 2022

The Housing Authority of Okanogan County (HAOC) will accept Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list applications from July 5, 2022 at 8:00 am, until September 8, 2022 at 4:00 pm PT.


Learn How To Apply

Kandiyohi County, MN Limited Section 8 HCV Waiting List

Open until August 31st, 2022

The Kandiyohi County Housing and Redevelopment Authority will accept Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list applications on a limited basis from April 6, 2022 at 8:00 am, until August 31, 2022 at 4:30 pm CT.


Learn How To Apply

Tuesday's Top FAQs

What is Section 8?

Section 8 is the common term for federal low-income rental assistance programs managed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The term Section 8 is usually used to describe the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, which helps tenants pay rent based on their income, and pays participating landlords the remainder of the rent. "Section 8" can also refer to the Section 8 Project-Based Voucher (PBV) program, and the Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) program. In both programs, the tenant typically pays 30% of their monthly income for housing costs.

Section 8 may also refer to either the tenant-based Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program or the Project-based Rental Assistance (PBRA) program.

It gets its name from being Section 8 of the Housing Act of 1937.


Link to this FAQ: https://affordablehousingonline.com/housing-help/what-is-section-8

What is HUD?

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, commonly abbreviated as HUD, is the main agency that oversees federal affordable housing and community development programs. It was created as a cabinet-level department in 1965 as part of President Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty.

Since 2017, Ben Carson has served as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under the Trump Administration. The position was last held by Julian Castro from 2014 until 2017.

Housing Opportunity and Rental Assistance

HUD administers affordable housing programs that help low-income households pay for rent. Through these programs, HUD may also offer supportive services, utility cost reimbursements, self-sufficiency planning, and job training for eligible households. The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance, and Public Housing are HUD’s primary affordable housing programs.

HUD also funds housing for populations with special needs. These programs include the Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly, Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities, and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) programs. HUD also administers grants to help persons experiencing homelessness, including shelters, transitional housing, and services.

Community Development

HUD provides funding to states, counties, and cities for public infrastructure and economic development. Some of these programs can be used to build or rehabilitate affordable housing including the Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME). Through the Office of Public and Indian Housing, HUD provides block grants to tribes for housing and community development through the Indian Housing Block Grant and Indian Community Development Block Grant programs.

Affordable Homeownership

HUD assists homebuyers through the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). FHA-insured mortgages have helped millions of first-time homebuyers purchase homes. HUD also oversees lead paint and hazard removal programs, and standards for manufactured housing.

Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity

HUD is charged with enforcing the Fair Housing Act to address housing discrimination through the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. HUD also administers funds to rebuild communities after natural disasters through the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Relief program.


Link to this FAQ: https://affordablehousingonline.com/housing-help/what-is-hud-housing

Are there HUD emergency housing assistance programs?

Yes, HUD provides funding for cities, counties, states, and Public Housing Agencies for emergency housing programs and resources. Most of these programs only offer temporary housing and assistance, but there are services for permanent housing as well.

It is important to note that HUD's rental assistance subsidy programs are not emergency housing programs. Participants of these programs (such as the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program and Public Housing) usually have to wait on awaiting list for several months or years before receiving assistance. Generally, large metropolitan areas will have longer wait times than lower populated areas.

The specific services provided by every local agency varies. Program providers can explain which services are available.

HUD is currently funding the following programs that provide emergency housing services for homeless families and individuals:

  • Continuum of Care (CoC) Program

HUD's explanation of the Continuum of Care (CoC) Program says:

"The Continuum of Care (CoC) Program is designed to promote communitywide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness; provide funding for efforts by nonprofit providers, and State and local governments to quickly rehouse homeless individuals and families while minimizing the trauma and dislocation caused to homeless individuals, families, and communities by homelessness; promote access to and effect utilization of mainstream programs by homeless individuals and families; and optimize self-sufficiency among individuals and families experiencing homelessness."

Continuum of Care (CoC) Program providers use funds for multiple purposes, including:

  • Permanent Housing
    • "Community-based housing without a designated length of stay in which formerly homeless individuals and families live as independently as possible."* There are two CoC Permanent Housing programs:
      • Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH)
        • "Permanent housing with indefinite leasing or rental assistance paired with supportive services to assist homeless persons with a disability or families with an adult or child member with a disability achieve housing stability."*
      • Rapid Re-Housing (RRH)
        • "Housing search and relocation services and short- and medium-term rental assistance to move homeless persons and families (with or without a disability) as rapidly as possible into permanent housing."*
  • Transitional Housing
    • "Designed to provide homeless individuals and families with the interim stability and support to successfully move to and maintain permanent housing. Transitional housing may be used to cover the costs of up to 24 months of housing with accompanying supportive services."*
  • Supportive Services Only
    • Providers may "outreach to sheltered and unsheltered homeless persons and families, link clients with housing or other necessary services, and provide ongoing support."*
  • Homelessness Prevention
    • "The services under this component may include housing relocation and stabilization services as well as short- and medium-term rental assistance to prevent an individual or family from becoming homeless. Through this component, [participating agencies] may help individuals and families at-risk of homelessness to maintain their existing housing or transition to new permanent housing."*
  • Safe Havens
    • Provides temporary 24-hour shelter for persons who are homeless and have a serious mental illness. Safe Havens are different than standard shelters by encouraging residents to transition from life on the streets to permanent housing. No new Safe Haven projects are being funded, but existing projects can be renewed.
  • Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation SRO
    • Offered by Public Housing Agencies, properties were rehabilitated to offer Section 8 Rental Assistance to individual homeless persons. Tenants usually pay 30% of their adjusted income for rent. No new SRO projects are being funded, but they will continue to be renewed.

Further explanation of each of these components can be found here (*all quotes in the above CoC section are sourced from this page).

Where can I apply for Continuum of Care (CoC) services?

HUD has compiled a list of agencies that are receiving CoC funds. Contact information for Continuum of Care (CoC) agencies can be found here.

  • Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program

HUD's explanation of the Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program, which was renamed in 2012, says:

"The change in the program’s name, from Emergency Shelter Grants to Emergency Solutions Grants, reflects the change in the program’s focus from addressing the needs of homeless people in emergency or transitional shelters to assisting people to quickly regain stability in permanent housing after experiencing a housing crisis and/or homelessness."

Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Program providers use funds for multiple purposes, including:

  • Rapid Rehousing
  • Street Outreach
  • Homelessness Prevention
  • Emergency Shelter

Where can I apply for Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) services?

HUD has compiled a list of agencies that are receiving ESG funds. Contact information for Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) agencies can be found here.

  • Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) Program

The Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) Program provides housing assistance and supportive services to persons living with HIV/AID, and their families.

Where can I apply for Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) services?

HUD has compiled a list of agencies that are receiving HOPWA funds. Contact information for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) agencies can be found here.

  • Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP)

"This program supports a wide range of housing programs including rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing, transitional housing, and other innovative housing models such as host homes," according to HUD. Rather than providing funds to agencies, HUD awards funds to a select number of communities each year.

As said by HUD, "These communities will develop a coordinated community plan to prevent and end youth homelessness and will fund projects that are consistent with this plan. They will also participate in a program evaluation to inform the federal effort to prevent and end youth homelessness going forward and will serve as leaders in the nation on the work to end homelessness among young people." This is a coordination between housing providers, welfare agencies, school districts, workforce organizations, and the juvenile justice system.

Where can I apply for Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) services?

There is no information provided by HUD of the specific services provided in each community. However, HUD has created a map showing all communities that have received funding. This map can be found here, under the "YHDP Funding Awards" section, in the "Map of YHDP-Funded CoCs" link.

  • Local Emergency Assistance Programs

Your state may also have its own emergency assistance programs that helps with rent, utilities or other emergencies; and HUD has made that information easy to find. Information on local emergency housing assistance programs can be found here.


    Link to this FAQ: https://affordablehousingonline.com/housing-help/Does-HUD-Help-In-Emergency-Cases-For-Housing

    Can I be evicted if I can't pay rent because of coronavirus?

    In many cases, no you cannot. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has temporarily halted evictions for most Americans due to the coronavirus pandemic until June 30, 2021.

    Called a moratorium on evictions, it means that qualified renters are be protected from getting evicted until the moratorium is lifted.

    The CDC moratorium was most recently scheduled to expire on March 31, 2021, but was extended in March.

    You can read more information on eviction policies during the coronavirus pandemic here.


    Link to this FAQ: https://affordablehousingonline.com/housing-help/can-I-be-evicted-if-I-cant-pay-rent-because-of-coronavirus

    Can I smoke in my apartment?

    Under HUD regulations, smoking cigarettes, cigars or pipes are not allowed in apartments, public areas or within 25 feet of Public Housing buildings. At this time the smoking ban does not apply to e-cigarettes, nor to HUD properties that participate in housing programs other than Public Housing.

    You may or may not be able to smoke in your affordable housing unit; depending on the policy of the housing authority, property management company, or landlord that manages your unit.

    • Public Housing residents may not smoke on premises as of July 31, 2018. More information about that ruling can be found here.
    • If you are a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher tenant, that policy is set by your landlord. The smoking policy should be identified on your lease.
    • For other housing programs, some housing agencies let its residents smoke, while others do not. The smoking policy should be identified on your lease for these programs, as well.

    If a housing agency does have a no-smoking policy, there may be designated smoking areas outside. Also, it's important to note that no-smoking policies do not mean that residents who smoke will be evicted. But they will be not be allowed to smoke on premise.

    Contact the housing authority, property management company, or landlord that manages your unit to confirm the smoking policy. You can use the search bar at the top of this page to search for housing authority and apartment community contact information.


    Link to this FAQ: https://affordablehousingonline.com/housing-help/can-I-smoke-in-my-unit

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