Where to Apply for Section 8 in Texas

You apply for Section 8 through your local Public Housing Authority (PHA), not through the state or federal government. Texas has dozens of PHAs—some serve a single city, others cover a county or region. The PHA that serves you depends on where you live, not where you want to live.

To find your local PHA, visit the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) website and search their PHA directory by city or county. You can also call 211 Texas and give them your address; they will tell you which PHA to contact. Once you have the name and phone number, call that office directly to ask about their waiting list status. Many Texas PHAs have closed waiting lists, meaning they are not taking new applications right now. Some reopen seasonally or when funding changes.

Do not wait for a waiting list to reopen—call every few months to check. Some PHAs notify people when they plan to reopen; others do not. Getting on the list early matters because most PHAs rank people by date of application once the list is open.

Key Takeaways

  • You must apply through your local Public Housing Authority, which you find by searching the TDHCA directory or calling 211 Texas with your address.
  • Many Texas PHAs have closed waiting lists, so your first step is calling to ask whether they are currently taking applications.
  • You will need proof of income, citizenship or immigration status, Social Security numbers for all household members, and a photo ID.
  • The PHA will verify your income and background through third-party checks; the process typically takes four to eight weeks from application to approval.
  • Once approved, you search for your own rental unit and the landlord must agree to accept Section 8; the PHA then inspects the unit before you move in.

Documents You Need Before You Call

Gather these documents before you contact your PHA. Having them ready speeds up the process and shows the office you are serious.

Proof of income: Recent pay stubs (usually the last 30 days), tax returns from the last two years, or a letter from your employer stating your job title and monthly pay. If you receive unemployment, Social Security, disability, or child support, bring statements showing those amounts. If you have no income, bring a letter from a social service agency confirming that.

Citizenship or immigration status: A birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you will need proof of may be able to access immigration status—a green card, work permit, or refugee/asylee documentation. Some household members may be ineligible; the PHA will explain which statuses may have access to.

Social Security numbers: For every person in your household, including children. Bring Social Security cards or a letter from Social Security if you do not have the card. If someone does not have a number, the PHA will tell you how to proceed.

Photo ID: A driver's license, state ID, or passport for the person applying. If you do not have one, ask the PHA whether they will accept an alternative.

Proof of residency: A utility bill, lease, or mail from a government agency showing your current address. This can be from the last 60 days.

Income Limits and Household Size

Section 8 is for households earning no more than 50 percent of the area median income (AMI) for your county. The exact limit depends on where you live and how many people are in your household. Texas counties vary widely—a family of four in rural areas may have a higher limit than the same family in Houston or Dallas.

The PHA will tell you the income limit for your household size when you call. Write it down. If your household income is above the limit, you are not currently may be able to access, but income limits change yearly and you can call back to check. If you are below the limit, the PHA will ask you to come in or mail in an application.

Your household includes everyone living with you, whether or not they are related. It does not include live-in aides or caregivers if they are there only to provide care. The PHA counts income from all household members age 18 and older, minus certain deductions like child care costs or medical expenses for elderly or disabled people.

What Happens After You Submit Your Application

Once you turn in your application, the PHA will verify your information through third-party checks. They contact your employer, your bank, and sometimes run a background check. This step usually takes two to four weeks. You may receive a call or letter asking for more documents or to clarify something on your form.

The PHA will also check your rental history and criminal background. A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you, but certain convictions—particularly drug-related felonies or crimes of violence—may. The PHA has rules about what they will overlook and what they will not; ask them directly if you have concerns.

If the PHA approves you, they will send you a letter and a voucher packet. This packet explains how much rent the program will cover (your voucher amount) and the rules you must follow. You then have a set amount of time—usually 60 to 120 days—to find a rental unit. The landlord must agree to accept Section 8, and the unit must pass a PHA inspection before you move in.

Finding a Rental Unit That Accepts Section 8

Once you have your voucher, you search for apartments or houses on your own. The PHA does not find units for you. You can look on Craigslist, Zillow, Apartments.com, or by driving around neighborhoods and calling landlords directly. Tell them you have a Section 8 voucher and ask if they accept it.

Many landlords in Texas do accept Section 8, but some refuse. They may say they do not want the paperwork or they distrust the program. You have the right to report discrimination to the PHA or to HUD if a landlord refuses you based on race, color, national origin, disability, or familial status—but Section 8 status itself is not a protected class in Texas, so a landlord can legally refuse the voucher.

The rent cannot exceed the PHA's payment standard for your area and bedroom size. If you find a unit that costs more, you can pay the difference out of pocket, but the PHA will not cover it. Once you and the landlord agree on a lease, you give the PHA a copy. They will schedule an inspection. The unit must meet housing quality standards—working plumbing, heat, no lead paint hazards, and so on. If it fails, the landlord must fix the problems before you move in.

Waiting List Status and Timeline

Texas PHAs manage their waiting lists differently. Some are open year-round; others close after reaching a certain number of applications. A few reopen only in spring or fall. The wait time from application to voucher varies from a few months to several years, depending on the PHA and the size of their waiting list.

While you are on the waiting list, your circumstances may change—your income may go up or down, your household size may change, or you may move to a different county. Tell the PHA immediately if any of these happen. Some changes may move you up or down the list; others may affect your may be able to access.

If a PHA's waiting list is closed, ask when they expect to reopen it. Some offices have a schedule; others cannot predict. Call back every three to six months to check. You can also ask to be notified when the list reopens, though not all PHAs offer this service.

What Happens If You Are Denied

If the PHA denies your application, they must send you a written reason. Common reasons include income above the limit, a criminal conviction the PHA will not overlook, or an unfavorable rental history. The letter will explain your right to request a hearing or to appeal the decision.

Read the denial letter carefully. If you believe the PHA made a mistake—for example, they miscalculated your income or used outdated information—you can request a hearing. The hearing is usually held by someone at the PHA who was not involved in the original decision. You can bring documents, witnesses, or a representative to the hearing. The process typically takes 30 to 60 days.

If you are denied because of a criminal record or rental history, you may not be able to change that outcome, but you can reapply after a certain period. Ask the PHA whether there is a waiting period before you can apply again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply to more than one PHA at the same time?

Yes. If you live near a county line or are planning to move, you can apply to multiple PHAs. Each has its own waiting list and timeline. Tell each PHA you are applying elsewhere so they do not count you twice if you end up on multiple lists.

Do I have to live in Texas to apply for Section 8 in Texas?

You do not have to be a Texas resident to apply, but you must have a local address where the PHA can reach you. If you are homeless or living out of state, ask the PHA whether they will accept an application and what address to use.

What if my income goes up after I am approved?

Your income will be recertified every year. If it rises above the limit, you may lose your voucher. However, most PHAs allow a small income increase without penalty. Ask your PHA about their income recertification rules and whether there is a grace period.

How much will I pay for rent if I get Section 8?

You typically pay 30 percent of your household income toward rent, and the PHA covers the rest up to their payment standard. If your income is very low, your share may be lower. The exact amount depends on your income and the PHA's rules.

Can I use my Section 8 voucher to move to another state?

Yes, but you must request a transfer from your current PHA and find a PHA in the new state willing to accept your voucher. Not all PHAs accept transfers, and the process can take several months. Contact your current PHA to ask about their transfer policy.