Section 8 waiting lists are managed by local housing authorities, not a single national list, and most are closed to new names

There is no single Section 8 list. Instead, each housing authority that runs the program maintains its own waiting list for your area. The housing authority for your city or county is the only place that can add your name. Most lists are currently closed — meaning they are not taking new applications — and have been for years in many places. When a list does open, it typically stays open for only a few weeks or months before closing again.

How long you wait depends entirely on where you live. Some housing authorities have waiting lists of 5,000 people with wait times of five to ten years. Others have lists of 500 with wait times of one to two years. A few have much shorter waits. The only way to know the actual wait time and whether the list is open in your area is to contact your local housing authority directly.

You can find your local housing authority through HUD's online directory at hud.gov, or by calling 211 and asking for the housing authority in your county. Some areas have multiple authorities — a city authority separate from a county authority — and you may be able to get on both lists if you meet their requirements.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local housing authority controls the Section 8 list for your area, and most lists are currently closed to new names.
  • Wait times vary from one to ten years depending on where you live and how many people are ahead of you on the list.
  • You must contact your housing authority directly to learn whether the list is open and what documents you need to provide.
  • Being on the list does not may provide you will receive a voucher — the authority must have funding and your name must reach the top before the program runs out of money.
  • If the list is closed, you can ask to be notified when it opens again, though some authorities do not offer this option.

What happens when you get on the list

Once your name is added to the waiting list, you are placed in order based on the date and time you submitted your process. The housing authority works through the list in that order, calling people to complete the next step when funding becomes available. This can take months or years. During that time, you do not need to do anything except keep your contact information current with the authority.

When the authority reaches your name, they will contact you to schedule an appointment. At that appointment, you will provide proof of income, citizenship or immigration status, and other documents the authority requires. The authority will verify your information and determine whether you meet the program's income limits. Income limits vary by area and family size, but generally you must earn less than 50 percent of the area median income.

If you pass this step, you move to the next phase: the authority issues you a voucher, which is a certificate that tells landlords the government will pay a portion of your rent. You then have a set amount of time — usually 60 to 120 days — to find a landlord willing to rent to you using the voucher. Not all landlords accept Section 8, and some neighborhoods have few or no participating landlords.

Why most lists are closed and what to do if yours is

Housing authorities close their lists when the number of people waiting exceeds the amount of funding available. Federal funding for Section 8 has not increased significantly in decades, while the number of people seeking housing has grown. As a result, most authorities have stopped taking new applications indefinitely. Some have not opened their lists in over ten years.

If your local list is closed, ask the housing authority when it last opened and whether they expect it to open again. Some authorities can tell you this; others cannot. You can also ask to be placed on a notification list so you are contacted if the list opens. Not all authorities offer this, but it costs nothing to ask.

While you wait, look into other programs that may help. Some areas have local rental information programs, affordable housing developments with their own process processes, or housing choice voucher programs run by nonprofits. Your local 211 service can tell you what programs exist in your area and whether their lists are open.

Income limits and household size

Section 8 income limits are set by HUD but calculated locally based on the median income in your area. The limit for a single person might be $25,000 per year in one county and $35,000 in another. Limits are higher for larger households. You can find the current limits for your area on HUD's website or by asking your housing authority.

Income includes wages, Social Security, unemployment benefits, child support, and most other regular money you receive. It does not include one-time payments like tax refunds or insurance settlements. If your income is above the limit when you reach the top of the list, you will be denied. If your income drops below the limit after you receive a voucher, you can still use it.

Housing authorities verify income by requesting recent pay stubs, tax returns, and bank statements. If you are self-employed or receive irregular income, bring documentation showing your average income over the past two years. If you receive benefits, bring the award letter from the agency that pays them.

What documents you need before you explore

Requirements vary slightly by housing authority, but most ask for the same core documents. Have these ready before you contact your authority: a photo ID, proof of Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, proof of income for the past 30 days, and proof of citizenship or immigration status. Immigration status requirements are complex — some authorities accept certain visa types and some do not — so ask your authority what they accept before you gather documents.

You will also need to provide information about everyone in your household, including children and any adults who live with you. The authority will run background checks on all household members age 18 and older. Criminal history and eviction history can disqualify you, though the rules vary by authority. Some authorities deny applicants for any felony conviction; others consider the age and nature of the conviction. Ask your authority what their policy is if you have a criminal or eviction record.

If you are homeless or living in a shelter, you can still explore. Bring whatever documents you have and explain your situation to the housing authority. Many authorities have preferences for people experiencing homelessness and may move them up the list or open a separate list for them.

How to find and contact your housing authority

The fastest way is to search HUD's Public Housing Authority directory at hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/pha_contacts. Enter your state and city, and the directory will show you the authority or authorities that serve your area. Call the number listed and ask whether the Section 8 waiting list is open. If it is, ask what documents you need and how the process works. If it is closed, ask when it last opened and whether you can be notified if it opens again.

If you cannot find your authority online, call 211 and tell them you are looking for the housing authority in your county. They can give you the phone number and address. You can also contact your city or county housing department — they often have this information.

When you call, have a pen and paper ready. Write down the name of the person you speak with, the date you called, what they told you, and any next steps. If the list is open, ask how long you have to submit your process and whether you can explore online or must explore in person.

What to do while you wait

While your name is on the list, keep your contact information current with the housing authority. If you move, call and give them your new address and phone number. If your phone number changes, update it. Housing authorities try to reach people on the list by phone, and if they cannot reach you, they may move to the next person.

Continue looking for affordable housing through other means. Check local rental information programs, nonprofit housing organizations, and affordable housing developments. Some of these programs have shorter wait times or no wait at all. Being on the Section 8 list does not prevent you from using other programs.

If your income or household size changes, you do not need to report it while you are on the waiting list. You will report these changes when the authority contacts you to move forward. However, if your income increases significantly, you may want to ask the authority whether you still meet the income limit, since limits can change year to year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be on multiple Section 8 waiting lists at the same time?

Yes, if your area has more than one housing authority. Some cities have a city authority and a county authority, and you can be on both lists. Call each authority to confirm they serve your address and whether you can be on both. Being on multiple lists increases your chances of reaching the top sooner, though you will still be waiting years in most places.

What happens if I move to a different state while I am on the waiting list?

Your name stays on the list in your original state unless you ask to be removed. If you move, you can explore to the waiting list in your new state, but you start at the bottom of that list. You cannot transfer your position from one state to another. If you think you might move, ask your current authority whether you can pause your process rather than staying on an out-of-state list.

Do I have to pay anything to be on the Section 8 waiting list?

No. Being on the list is free. If anyone asks you for money to put your name on the list or to move you up the list, that is fraud. Report it to your local police and to HUD's Office of Inspector General at oig.hud.gov.

What if I was denied Section 8 in the past — can I explore again?

Yes, you can reapply. If you were denied for income, you can explore again if your income has dropped. If you were denied for criminal history or an eviction, policies vary by authority. Some authorities have waiting periods before you can reapply; others do not. Contact your housing authority and ask whether you are now able to explore and what documents you should bring.

How do I know if I am still on the waiting list?

Call your housing authority and give them your name and process number. They can tell you whether you are still on the list and approximately how many people are ahead of you. Some authorities provide this information online through a portal where you can log in with your process number.