Where to get the Camden County Housing Authority Section 8 form

The Camden County Housing Authority does not post its Section 8 form on a public website you can read as a PDF. Instead, you request the form directly from the authority by phone, email, or in person at their office. This is standard practice — most housing authorities treat the form as part of their intake process rather than as a document you retrieve on your own.

Contact the Camden County Housing Authority at their main office in Camden, New Jersey. You can call them during business hours to ask for the form to be mailed to you, or you can visit in person to pick it up and sometimes complete it on-site. Some housing authorities also email forms to applicants who request them, though you will need to call first to get the email address and confirm they are currently accepting new requests.

Before you contact them, know that many housing authorities have closed their waiting lists temporarily because demand exceeds available vouchers. Call ahead to confirm that the Camden County Housing Authority is accepting new Section 8 applications. If the list is closed, ask when it is expected to reopen and whether you can request to be notified when applications resume.

Key Takeaways

  • The Camden County Housing Authority does not publish the Section 8 form online; you must request it by phone, email, or in-person visit to their office.
  • The form asks for household composition, income from all sources, assets, current housing situation, and Social Security numbers for every household member.
  • You will need to bring or mail copies of recent pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, and proof of identity for each adult in your household.
  • The authority processes forms in the order received and typically notifies you by mail within several weeks whether you have been placed on the waiting list.
  • If the waiting list is closed, you cannot submit an process until it reopens, which the authority will announce on their website or by phone.

What information the form requires

The Section 8 form collects basic household information: names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers for every person living in your home. It asks about your current housing — whether you rent or own, how much you pay, and how long you have lived there. It also asks whether you have ever been evicted or have an eviction case pending.

The form requires a complete list of income from all sources for the past 12 months. This includes wages, self-employment income, unemployment benefits, Social Security, disability payments, child support, alimony, and any other money coming into the household. You will also report assets: savings accounts, checking accounts, stocks, bonds, and the cash value of life insurance policies. The authority uses this information to calculate your household income and determine your rent contribution if you are approved.

You must disclose any criminal history. The form asks whether any household member has been convicted of a felony, particularly drug-related offenses or crimes of violence. It also asks about prior Section 8 participation — whether you have held a voucher before and, if so, why it ended. Truthfulness on this section is critical; false statements can result in permanent disqualification.

Documents you need to gather before explore

Bring or mail recent pay stubs — typically the last two months — for every employed household member. If you are self-employed, bring copies of your last two years of tax returns and, if available, recent profit-and-loss statements. If you receive benefits, bring a copy of the award letter or benefit statement showing the monthly amount.

Bring proof of identity for every adult in the household: a driver's license, state ID card, or passport. If you do not have a government-issued ID, ask the authority what alternative documents they accept. Bring a copy of your lease if you currently rent, or a property tax bill if you own. Bring recent bank statements — usually the last two months — for every savings and checking account the household owns.

If you receive child support or alimony, bring documentation of the amount and frequency. If you are explore as a person with a disability, bring medical documentation or a letter from your doctor. If any household member is not a U.S. citizen, bring immigration documents showing their legal status. The authority will tell you which documents are required when you call to request the form.

How to submit the completed form

Once you have completed the form and gathered your documents, you can submit them by mail, in person, or sometimes by email — ask the authority which methods they accept. If you mail the form, send it to the address the authority provides and keep a copy for your records. Mail typically takes several days, so if you are concerned about timing, consider hand-delivering it or asking whether the authority accepts email submission.

If you submit in person, bring the original completed form and copies of all required documents. The authority may review your process on the spot and tell you if anything is missing. If documents are missing, ask for a list of what you still need and a important date for submitting them. If you mail your process, the authority will contact you by mail or phone if additional information is needed.

Do not assume your process has been received unless you get written confirmation. If you mail it, consider sending it by certified mail so you have proof of delivery. If you submit in person, ask for a receipt or confirmation letter showing the date your process was received.

What happens after you submit

The Camden County Housing Authority processes applications in the order they are received. You will receive a letter in the mail notifying you whether you have been placed on the waiting list. This letter typically arrives within two to four weeks, though timing varies depending on how many applications the authority is processing.

If you are placed on the waiting list, the letter will include your position number or tell you that you are on the list. It will also explain the next steps and provide contact information if you have questions. If the authority needs more information before making a decision, they will contact you by phone or mail and give you a important date to respond.

If you are denied, the letter will explain the reason — for example, income exceeds the limit, criminal history disqualifies you, or you do not meet residency requirements. The letter will also explain your right to request a hearing to challenge the decision. Keep this letter; you will need it if you decide to appeal.

Income limits and other basic requirements

Section 8 income limits for Camden County vary by household size and are set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development each year. For a single person, the limit is typically around $35,000 to $40,000 annually; for a family of four, it is usually around $55,000 to $65,000. These numbers change yearly, so ask the authority for the current limits when you call. If your household income exceeds the limit, you will not be placed on the waiting list.

You must be a U.S. citizen or have may be able to access immigration status. You must be at least 18 years old (or an emancipated minor). You cannot have been evicted for drug-related activity or convicted of certain felonies. If you have a prior Section 8 voucher, it cannot have ended due to lease violations or fraud. The authority will verify these requirements using the information on your form and documents you provide.

You must intend to use the voucher to rent a home in New Jersey. Some housing authorities limit vouchers to their own county; ask whether Camden County vouchers can be used outside the county if you plan to move.

What to do if the waiting list is closed

If the Camden County Housing Authority is not accepting applications, you have a few options. First, call periodically to ask when the list will reopen. Some authorities reopen their lists annually or when vouchers become available; others may not reopen for years. Ask whether you can request notification when applications resume — some authorities will add you to a notification list.

Second, explore other housing information programs while you wait. Your county may have emergency rental information, rapid rehousing programs, or other subsidized housing options. Call 211 (a free referral service) or visit your county's social services office to learn what programs are currently open.

Third, if you are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness, mention this when you call the authority. Some housing authorities prioritize applications from people experiencing homelessness even when the general waiting list is closed. You may also be referred to emergency information programs that can help you when ready.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I submit the form online or does it have to be printed and mailed?

Most housing authorities do not accept online submissions for Section 8 applications. You will need to print the form, complete it by hand or typewriter, and either mail it or deliver it in person. Call the Camden County Housing Authority to confirm whether they accept email submission or if they have moved to an online portal.

What if I do not have all the documents the form asks for?

Call the authority and explain what you are missing. They may accept alternative documents or allow you to submit what you have and provide the rest later. For example, if you do not have recent pay stubs, a letter from your employer stating your income may be acceptable. Do not delay submitting the form waiting for perfect documentation.

How long does it take to hear back after I submit my process?

Most housing authorities notify applicants within two to four weeks. If you have not heard back after a month, call the authority to confirm they received your process and ask about the status. Keep the receipt or confirmation letter you received when you submitted the form.

If I am placed on the waiting list, when will I actually receive a voucher?

Waiting times vary widely depending on how many people are on the list and how many vouchers become available. In some counties, the wait is a few months; in others, it can be years. The authority cannot tell you an exact date, but they can tell you approximately how many people are ahead of you on the list.

Can I explore if I have a criminal record?

It depends on the type of conviction. Drug-related felonies and certain violent crimes permanently disqualify you. Other felonies may not. Call the authority and describe your situation; they can tell you whether you are disqualified before you spend time completing the form.