Where to start: contact your local Public Housing Authority

To apply for Section 8 in Indiana, you contact the Public Housing Authority (PHA) that serves your county or city. Indiana has multiple PHAs — there is no single state application. Each PHA manages its own waiting list, sets its own preferences, and processes its own paperwork. The PHA you contact depends on where you want to live, not where you currently live.

Finding your local PHA is the first step. You can search by county on the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) website, which lists all PHAs in the state with their contact information. Alternatively, call 211 Indiana (dial 2-1-1 from any phone) and give them your county — they will provide the PHA phone number and current information about whether that authority is taking new applications.

Many Indiana PHAs have closed waiting lists because demand exceeds available vouchers. Before you spend time gathering documents, call and ask whether the PHA is currently accepting new applications. If the list is closed, ask when it typically reopens — some PHAs reopen annually, others less often. Getting on the waiting list when it opens is the only way forward.

Key Takeaways

  • Contact your local Public Housing Authority by phone or through the IHCDA website to learn whether they are taking new applications right now.
  • You will need proof of income, citizenship or legal residency, Social Security numbers for all household members, and a photo ID to start the process.
  • Many Indiana PHAs have closed waiting lists, so confirm the list is open before gathering documents.
  • The waiting list can take months or years to reach, and the PHA will contact you when your turn comes — you do not need to reapply or check in repeatedly.
  • Once you receive a voucher, you have a limited time (usually 60 to 120 days) to find a landlord willing to accept Section 8.

What documents you need to bring or mail

When you contact your local PHA, they will tell you exactly which forms and documents to submit. The specifics vary slightly by authority, but Indiana PHAs generally require the same core items. Have these ready before you call: a photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID), Social Security cards or numbers for every person in your household, proof of current income (recent pay stubs, a letter from your employer, or tax returns if self-employed), and proof of citizenship or legal residency (birth certificate, passport, green card, or visa).

You will also need to list any assets — bank accounts, vehicles, retirement accounts — because Section 8 has asset limits that vary by household size. Bring documentation of those assets if you have them. If you are currently homeless or living in a shelter, bring whatever identification you have; PHAs have processes for people without a fixed address.

Some PHAs accept applications by mail, some require in-person visits, and some use online portals. Call ahead and ask which method your PHA uses, and whether they have specific hours or days for applications. Bring or send everything at once rather than piecemeal — incomplete applications often get set aside and can be lost in the shuffle.

Income limits and how they are calculated

Section 8 is limited to households earning no more than 50% of the area median income (AMI) for your county. The exact income limit depends on your household size and the county where you want to live. For example, a single person in Marion County might have a different limit than a single person in Lake County. Your local PHA publishes these limits and will tell you whether your household income falls within the range.

Income includes wages, Social Security, unemployment benefits, child support, and most other regular money coming in. It does not include one-time payments, tax refunds, or certain disability benefits. If your income is slightly above the limit, some PHAs have preferences for working families or people with disabilities that may still allow you to apply — ask when you call.

The PHA will verify your income by contacting your employer or reviewing tax documents. If your income changes after you are on the waiting list, you do not need to report it immediately, but you will need to report it when the PHA contacts you to move forward with your application.

Understanding the waiting list and timeline

Once your application is accepted, you go on the waiting list in the order the PHA received it — unless the PHA uses a preference system that prioritizes certain groups (such as people experiencing homelessness, people with disabilities, or families with children). The waiting list is not first-come, first-served in every case; check with your PHA about their specific preferences.

Waiting times vary dramatically. Some Indiana PHAs have waiting lists of several years; others may move faster. You do not need to call repeatedly or reapply to stay on the list. The PHA will contact you when your turn approaches. If you move or your phone number changes, notify the PHA so they can reach you.

When the PHA contacts you, they will schedule an in-person interview to verify the information on your application and answer questions about your household. Bring the same documents you submitted originally, plus any updates (new pay stubs, proof of a job change, etc.). This interview is where the PHA confirms you meet all the requirements.

What happens after you receive a voucher

If you are approved, the PHA issues you a Housing Choice Voucher (the formal name for Section 8). The voucher states how much rent the program will pay toward your housing. You then have a set time — usually 60 to 120 days, depending on your PHA — to find a landlord who will accept the voucher and rent to you.

Not all landlords accept Section 8. Some refuse outright; others have concerns about inspections or paperwork. You will need to contact landlords directly, tell them you have a voucher, and ask whether they participate. The PHA can provide a list of landlords who have worked with Section 8 before, but you are not limited to that list.

Once you find a landlord willing to rent to you, the PHA inspects the unit to ensure it meets housing quality standards (safe wiring, working plumbing, no mold or pests, adequate heat and cooling). If the unit passes, the PHA signs a lease addendum with you and the landlord, and the voucher takes effect. You pay your portion of the rent (based on your income), and the PHA pays the landlord the rest.

What disqualifies you or delays your application

The PHA will deny your application if you do not meet income limits, if you lack proof of citizenship or legal residency, or if anyone in your household has been evicted for non-payment within the past three years (though some PHAs have exceptions). A criminal history does not automatically disqualify you, but certain convictions — particularly for drug manufacturing or sex offenses — may. The PHA will review your background and notify you if there is an issue.

If your application is denied, the PHA must tell you why in writing and give you a chance to appeal. You can request a hearing to dispute the decision. If the reason is a background issue, you may be able to provide additional context or documentation that changes the outcome.

Delays often happen because documents are missing, income cannot be verified, or the PHA is processing a large backlog. If your application stalls, call and ask what is holding it up. Sometimes a single missing pay stub or an unverified employer can pause everything.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for Section 8 in multiple counties at once?

Yes. Each PHA maintains its own waiting list, so you can contact the PHAs in different counties and apply to each one. This increases your chances of getting a voucher sooner, since you are on multiple lists. When one PHA contacts you and issues a voucher, notify the others to remove you from their lists so someone else can move up.

What if I am currently homeless?

You can still apply. Bring whatever ID you have — a shelter can sometimes provide documentation of your stay. Many Indiana PHAs give preference to people experiencing homelessness, which means you may move up the waiting list faster. Call your local PHA and explain your situation; they will tell you what documents they can accept.

Do I have to use the voucher right away?

No. Once you receive a voucher, you have a set window (usually 60 to 120 days) to find a rental unit and have it inspected. If you cannot find a landlord in that time, the PHA may extend the deadline or you may lose the voucher. Talk to your PHA caseworker if you need more time.

What if my income increases after I get Section 8?

Your voucher does not end immediately. The PHA will recalculate your rent contribution based on your new income, which means you will pay more and the PHA will pay less. If your income rises significantly above the program limit, you may eventually be terminated, but this does not happen overnight — the PHA will notify you and give you time to adjust.

Can I move to a different county while using Section 8?

Yes, through a process called portability. Your current PHA can transfer your voucher to the PHA in the new county. Contact your caseworker before you move and ask them to initiate the transfer. The new PHA takes over managing your voucher, but the process is usually straightforward.