Where to start: contact your local housing authority

Section 8 in Indiana is run by local public housing authorities (PHAs), not by the state or a single office. You must contact the authority that covers your county or city — there is no statewide application. The authority that serves your area maintains its own waiting list, sets its own timeline, and decides when it accepts new applications.

Find your local PHA by searching "public housing authority" plus your county name, or by calling 211 Indiana (dial 2-1-1 from any phone). The 211 line can tell you which authority serves your address and whether they are currently accepting applications. Many PHAs close their waiting lists when they reach capacity and reopen them months or years later, so this first call answers the question that matters most: can you even apply right now?

Once you know your PHA, contact them directly by phone or visit their office in person. They will tell you whether applications are open, what documents you need to bring, and whether you can apply online or must apply on paper at their office.

Key Takeaways

  • Section 8 is managed by your local public housing authority, not the state, so you must contact the authority that serves your specific county or city.
  • Many PHAs have closed waiting lists, so calling 211 Indiana first tells you whether your local authority is accepting applications before you gather documents.
  • You will need proof of income, citizenship or immigration status, Social Security numbers for all household members, and a photo ID.
  • After you submit your application, the PHA will contact you for an interview, usually within weeks or months depending on the waiting list length.
  • Getting on the waiting list does not mean you will receive a voucher soon — some lists have years-long waits, and your position depends on when you applied and your household circumstances.

Documents you need before you apply

Bring originals or certified copies of these documents to your application appointment or submit them with your online application. The exact list varies slightly by PHA, but these are standard across Indiana authorities.

Proof of income: Recent pay stubs (usually the last 30 days), tax returns from the past two years, or a letter from your employer stating your salary. If you receive benefits, bring the award letter. If you are unemployed, bring documentation of job searches or a letter from your employer stating you were laid off.

Proof of citizenship or immigration status: A birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you may still be able to apply if you have a green card or certain visa types — ask your PHA which immigration statuses may have access to.

Social Security numbers: You will need the SSN for every person living in your household, including children. Bring Social Security cards or a letter from the Social Security Administration if you do not have the card.

Photo identification: A driver's license, state ID, or passport for the person applying.

Proof of residency: A utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement showing your current address and dated within the last 60 days.

What happens after you submit your application

The PHA will review your application for completeness and then schedule an interview, usually by phone or in person at their office. This interview is where they verify the information you provided, ask about your household composition, and explain how the program works. Bring the same documents you submitted with your application.

After the interview, the PHA will run a background check and contact previous landlords or property managers to verify your rental history. They are looking for evictions, unpaid rent, or damage to property. A past eviction does not automatically disqualify you, but it may affect your position on the waiting list or your approval timeline.

Once you are approved, you go on the waiting list. The PHA will contact you when a voucher becomes available, which could be weeks, months, or years depending on how many people are ahead of you and how many vouchers the PHA has to distribute.

Understanding waiting lists in Indiana

Indiana PHAs manage their waiting lists differently. Some use a first-come, first-served system where your position depends only on when you applied. Others use a preference system that prioritizes households with certain circumstances — such as homelessness, disability, or very low income — and moves them higher on the list.

Ask your PHA how their waiting list works and what your estimated wait time is. Some authorities publish this information on their websites; others will tell you only during your interview. A long wait does not mean you will not receive a voucher — it means you need to stay in contact with the PHA and update your information if your address or phone number changes.

If your PHA's waiting list is closed, ask when they expect to reopen it. Some authorities reopen their lists on a set schedule (for example, every two years), while others reopen them only when funding allows. You can call back periodically to check, or ask to be notified when applications reopen.

Income limits and household size requirements

Each PHA sets income limits based on the area median income for your county. These limits vary by household size and change annually. Your income cannot exceed the limit for your household size, or you will not be approved. The PHA will tell you the current limit when you call or visit.

Household size includes everyone living in your home — children, elderly relatives, and unrelated people. The PHA counts income from all household members, including children's Social Security benefits and unemployment payments. They do not count certain income, such as child support paid to someone outside your household or some types of disability benefits, so ask the PHA which income sources they include in their calculation.

If your income is above the limit, you cannot apply. If your income drops below the limit later, you may be able to apply at that time.

What disqualifies you from Section 8

The PHA will deny your application if you have been evicted for non-payment of rent within the past three years, if you owe money to a previous landlord, or if you have a history of property damage. Some PHAs have longer lookback periods, so ask yours specifically.

You may also be denied if you have a felony drug conviction, if you are a registered sex offender, or if you have committed violence or threats against a landlord or housing authority staff member. These are federal disqualifications that apply to all PHAs.

A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you — the PHA looks at the type of crime, how long ago it occurred, and your circumstances since then. If you have a criminal history, be honest about it during your interview. The PHA will find out anyway through their background check, and honesty may work in your favor.

After you receive your voucher

Once the PHA approves you and a voucher becomes available, they will give you a voucher and a deadline to find a rental unit. The deadline is usually 60 to 120 days, depending on your PHA. You then search for a landlord who accepts Section 8 vouchers — not all landlords do, and some charge higher deposits or have stricter requirements for Section 8 tenants.

Once you find a unit, the landlord must agree to accept the voucher, and the PHA must inspect the unit to make sure it meets housing quality standards. Only after inspection and approval can you move in. The PHA will pay the landlord a portion of the rent, and you will pay the rest out of your own income.

If you do not find a unit before your deadline expires, the PHA may give you an extension, or your voucher may be returned to the pool. Ask your PHA about their extension policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for Section 8 if I have an eviction on my record?

It depends on when the eviction happened and why. Most PHAs deny applications if you were evicted for non-payment within the past three years. If your eviction was for another reason — such as a lease violation unrelated to rent — or if it happened more than three years ago, you may still be approved. Ask your PHA about their specific policy before you apply.

How long does it take to get approved for Section 8 in Indiana?

The approval process itself usually takes four to eight weeks from your interview to a decision. However, after approval, you then go on the waiting list, which can be months or years long depending on your PHA and your household circumstances. Some PHAs have waiting lists with 10,000 or more households ahead of you.

What if my income changes after I apply?

Tell your PHA immediately if your income increases above the limit — you may no longer be may be able to access. If your income decreases, it does not hurt your application. If you are already approved and receiving a voucher, your rent contribution will be recalculated based on your new income.

Do I have to live in the same county as my PHA?

No. Once you receive a voucher, you can search for housing in any county in Indiana, and some vouchers work in other states. However, you must apply through the PHA that serves your current address. Ask your PHA about portability — the ability to move your voucher to a different area — when you apply.

What if my local PHA's waiting list is closed?

Call back every few months to check whether it has reopened. Some PHAs reopen their lists on a schedule; others open them only when funding allows. You can also ask the PHA to notify you when applications reopen, or check their website for updates.