The Basic Steps to Apply for Section 8

You apply for a Section 8 voucher through your local Public Housing Authority (PHA), not through a federal office. The PHA is a government agency that runs housing programs in your city or county. You find your PHA by searching "[your city or county] public housing authority" or by calling 211 and asking for the local housing authority's contact information.

The application itself is usually a form you fill out in person, by mail, or online — the method depends on your PHA. You bring or mail proof of income, residency, and identity. The PHA then puts your name on a waiting list. Waiting times range from a few months to several years depending on where you live and how many people are ahead of you. Some PHAs close their waiting lists when they are full and reopen them later.

Once you reach the top of the list and are called in, the PHA verifies your income and household size, conducts a background check, and issues you a voucher if you meet the program rules. You then have a set amount of time — usually 60 to 120 days — to find a rental property and a landlord willing to accept the voucher.

Key Takeaways

  • You apply through your local Public Housing Authority, which you can find by searching online or calling 211 for a referral.
  • The application requires proof of income, residency, and identity, and you will be placed on a waiting list with no may provide of how long you will wait.
  • Your PHA may close its waiting list when full, so you need to check whether applications are currently being taken before you start the process.
  • After you receive a voucher, you have a limited time window to find a landlord who will accept it, and the landlord must pass the PHA's inspection.

What Documents You Need to Bring

Bring a government-issued photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. Bring proof of your current address, such as a recent utility bill, lease, or mail from a government agency. Bring proof of income for the past 30 days: recent pay stubs, a letter from your employer, bank statements, or proof of benefits like Social Security or unemployment.

If you receive benefits, bring the award letter or benefit statement showing the monthly amount. If you are self-employed, bring tax returns from the past two years and a profit-and-loss statement. If you have no income, bring documentation of that — a letter from a job search, proof you are in school, or a statement from a social services agency.

Bring documentation for every person in your household, including children. For children, bring a birth certificate or school enrollment letter. If anyone in your household is not a U.S. citizen, bring immigration documents showing legal residency status. The specific documents your PHA requires may vary, so call ahead and ask what to bring.

How the Waiting List Works

After you submit your application, the PHA adds your name to a waiting list in the order applications were received. You do not move up or down the list based on how much you need help — the list is first-come, first-served in most places. Some PHAs give priority to people experiencing homelessness, people with disabilities, or families with very low income, but this varies by location.

The PHA will contact you when you reach the top of the list. This contact may come by phone, email, or mail, so keep your contact information current and check your mail regularly. If you do not respond within the timeframe the PHA gives you — usually 10 to 30 days — you may lose your spot and have to reapply.

Waiting times are unpredictable. In some cities, the wait is under a year. In others, it is five years or longer. Some PHAs stop taking new applications when their list is too long and reopen applications later. Before you apply, call your PHA and ask how long the current wait is and whether they are accepting new applications right now.

What Happens After You Are Called In

When the PHA calls you in, you will attend an appointment where a staff member reviews your application and verifies the information you provided. They will ask about your income, household members, and any criminal history. They will run a background check on you and anyone in your household age 18 or older.

The PHA will also check whether you have any history of lease violations, evictions, or owing money to previous landlords. If you have an eviction on your record, you may still be found to meet the program rules — the PHA looks at the circumstances and how long ago it happened. If you have a criminal conviction, the PHA has rules about what types of convictions disqualify you; these rules vary by state and by PHA.

If the PHA approves you, they issue a voucher. The voucher is a document that shows a landlord the PHA will pay part of your rent directly. The voucher is valid for a set time period — usually 60 to 120 days — during which you must find a place and sign a lease.

Finding a Landlord and a Place to Rent

Once you have a voucher, you search for rental properties on your own. You can use websites like Craigslist, Zillow, or Apartments.com, or you can drive around neighborhoods and call landlords directly. When you find a place you want to rent, you tell the landlord you have a Section 8 voucher and ask if they will accept it.

Not all landlords accept Section 8 vouchers. Some refuse because they do not want to deal with the paperwork or the PHA's inspection process. Some refuse because of discrimination, which is illegal but still happens. If a landlord refuses, you move on and find another place. There is no way to force a landlord to accept your voucher.

Once a landlord agrees, you sign a lease. The lease must show the rent amount and must be signed by both you and the landlord. You then give the lease to the PHA. The PHA inspects the property to make sure it meets housing quality standards — the unit must have working heat, plumbing, electricity, and no serious safety hazards. If the property passes inspection, the PHA signs the lease and begins paying the landlord.

How Much Rent You Pay and How Much the PHA Pays

The amount you pay depends on your income. The PHA calculates your share as 30 percent of your monthly income, or a minimum amount set by your PHA — whichever is higher. The minimum is usually between $25 and $75 per month. If your income is zero, you pay the minimum.

The PHA pays the landlord the difference between your share and the actual rent, up to a limit called the payment standard. The payment standard is set by your PHA and varies by bedroom size and neighborhood. If the rent is higher than the payment standard, you pay the difference on top of your 30 percent share. If the rent is lower than the payment standard, you pay only your 30 percent share.

Your share can change if your income changes. If you get a job or a raise, your share goes up. If you lose income, your share goes down. You must report income changes to the PHA, usually within 30 days. The PHA will recalculate your share and adjust the amount you pay the landlord.

What Happens If You Lose Your Voucher

If you do not find a place within the time limit on your voucher, the voucher expires and you lose it. You would have to reapply and go back on the waiting list. If you find a place but the property fails the PHA's inspection, you have a set amount of time to find another place before your voucher expires.

If you are already renting with a voucher and you move, you can take the voucher with you to a new place in the same PHA's area. You search for a new rental, get a new lease signed, and the PHA inspects the new place. If you move to a different city or county, you may be able to transfer your voucher to that PHA, but you have to request this and the new PHA must have funding available.

If you break your lease, owe money to a landlord, or violate the program rules, the PHA can terminate your voucher. Program rules include not allowing anyone with a criminal conviction for drug manufacturing to live in the unit, and not subletting the place. If your voucher is terminated, you lose the housing assistance and would have to reapply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for Section 8 if I am currently homeless?

Yes. Some PHAs give priority to people experiencing homelessness, which means you may move up the waiting list faster. Bring documentation of your homelessness, such as a letter from a shelter or a social services agency. You will need a mailing address where the PHA can reach you, so use a shelter address, a trusted friend's address, or a social services agency address.

What if I have a criminal record?

The PHA will run a background check and review your criminal history. Some convictions automatically disqualify you, while others are reviewed case-by-case. Drug manufacturing convictions are an automatic bar. For other convictions, the PHA considers how long ago it happened and the circumstances. Call your PHA and ask about their specific policy before you apply.

How long does it take to get approved after my appointment?

The PHA usually makes a decision within two to four weeks of your appointment. They will notify you by mail or phone. If you are approved, they will issue your voucher at that time or at a follow-up appointment. If you are denied, they will tell you why and explain your right to request a hearing to appeal the decision.

What if the rent is higher than the payment standard?

You pay the difference. If the payment standard is $1,200 and the rent is $1,400, and your income-based share is $300, you pay $500 per month ($300 plus the $200 difference). Some people choose to pay more to live in a nicer place or a better neighborhood, but you are not required to.

Can I buy a house with a Section 8 voucher?

No. Section 8 vouchers are for rental housing only. The PHA pays landlords, not mortgage lenders. Some PHAs run a separate homeownership program, but it is different from Section 8 and has different rules. Ask your PHA whether they offer a homeownership program.