AffordableHousingOnline

Affordable Housing Online is monitoring the federal government's response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. As of March 13, 2020, Public Housing Agencies across the nation are closing their doors to the public. Most offices are still running and will communicate by phone, email, or mail. Some offices have drop boxes installed outside, so documents can still be hand-delivered. Visit the housing authority's website for the latest on its current operations, if one is available. If there is no information online, contact the housing authority directly. Due to a high volume of calls and modified office hours in most areas, expect a long wait time (days or weeks) for a response. To find your local PHA's contact info, browse by state here.

An extensive list of coronavirus resources for low-income households can be found here.

Read Affordable Housing Online's Resource for Coronavirus (COVID-19)

What Is the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program?

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program is the most well known and sought after housing program in America. There are more than 2,400 Public Housing Agencies (PHAs, or commonly referred to as housing authorities) that manage the Section 8 HCV program for a specific jurisdiction, such as a city, county, or region of multiple areas. PHAs are funded and overseen by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Program participants pay 30% of the household’s monthly income towards rent, and the rest is paid to the landlord by the housing authority that manages the household’s voucher. The Section 8 HCV program allows voucher holders to rent out a unit of their choice that accepts vouchers and meets the program’s physical condition and rent guidelines, including privately owned apartments and houses.

After one year of tenancy, voucher holders may transfer their voucher to another housing authority's jurisdiction, as long as certain guidelines are met. This is known as porting.

This program can be confused with the Section 8 Project-Based Voucher (PBV) program. Section 8 PBV tenants are required to live in a specific apartment community or scattered site. After one year of occupancy, a Project-Based Voucher tenant may request to be placed on a waiting list to receive the next available Housing Choice Voucher or similar tenant-based rental assistance.

Start the guide at Part 1: How Do I Know If I'm Eligible for the Section 8 HCV Program? or choose a topic from the list below.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Guide

  1. How Do I Know If I'm Eligible for the Section 8 HCV Program?
    1. Confirm that you meet eligibility requirements.
    2. Calculate your household’s income.
    3. Determine if there are any restrictions and/or preferences.
    4. Be aware of common factors that may disqualify an application.
  2. How Do I Find an Open Section 8 Waiting List?
    1. Visit Affordable Housing Online’s Open Section 8 Waiting Lists page.
    2. Search for your area of interest on Affordable Housing Online.
    3. Sign up to Affordable Housing Online’s email alerts.
    4. Contact a Housing Authority
  3. How Do I Apply to a Section 8 Waiting List?
    1. Determine how applications are accepted
    2. Complete all steps of the application
    3. Submit the Application and Keep Information Up To Date
  4. What Happens After Applying to a Section 8 Waiting List?
    1. Wait for the housing office to process applications.
    2. Confirm your waiting list status.
    3. Estimate your wait time.
    4. Stay in contact with the housing office.
    5. Attend final in-person eligibility interview.
  5. How Do I Find a Unit After Receiving My Voucher?
    1. Where You Can Use a Section 8 Voucher
    2. Where You Cannot Use a Section 8 Voucher
    3. How To Find A Unit
    4. Know the HCV Porting Policy