Where to Start: Finding Your Local Housing Authority

Section 8 in Indiana is run by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), not by the state or a single office. The authority that serves you depends on where you live — Indianapolis Housing Authority handles Marion County, while smaller counties have their own separate authorities. You cannot apply to a PHA outside your county, and you cannot apply online to Indiana's state housing office.

To find your local PHA, search "[your county name] Public Housing Authority" or call 211 Indiana and give them your address. The 211 line can tell you immediately whether that PHA's waiting list is open, closed, or has a waitlist with a years-long queue. This matters because many Indiana PHAs close their lists when demand is high, and you cannot apply when the list is closed.

Once you have the PHA's phone number and address, call and ask three things: Is the waiting list open right now? What documents do you need to bring? What are the office hours and do you need an appointment? Some PHAs require you to apply in person; others accept mail-in applications. Getting these details first saves a wasted trip.

Key Takeaways

  • You must apply through your county's local Public Housing Authority, which you can find by calling 211 Indiana or searching online for your county name plus "Public Housing Authority."
  • Many Indiana PHAs close their waiting lists when demand is high, so your first call should confirm whether the list is currently open before you gather documents.
  • You will need proof of income, citizenship or legal residency, Social Security numbers for all household members, and a photo ID — bring originals or certified copies, not photocopies.
  • The application itself is free and takes about 30 to 45 minutes, but the entire process from application to lease-up typically takes several months to over a year depending on the PHA's backlog.
  • If your local PHA's list is closed, ask when they expect to reopen and whether you can call back to check, or ask 211 about other housing programs in your county that may be open now.

Documents You Need to Bring or Mail

Indiana PHAs require the same core documents, though some ask for additional items. Bring originals or certified copies — photocopies alone will not be accepted. You will need a photo ID (driver's license, state ID, or passport) for the person applying, and Social Security cards or numbers for every person in your household, including children.

Proof of income is required for all working household members. This means recent pay stubs (usually the last 30 days), a letter from your employer on company letterhead stating your job title and hourly rate or salary, or tax returns from the past two years if you are self-employed. If you receive unemployment, Social Security, disability, child support, or other benefits, bring the award letter or benefit statement showing the monthly amount.

You must also prove citizenship or legal residency. A U.S. birth certificate, passport, or naturalization certificate works for citizens. Non-citizens need an unexpired green card, visa, or employment authorization document (EAD). If you do not have these documents yet, ask the PHA whether they will hold your application while you obtain them — some will, some will not.

Bring proof of your current address: a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement in your name dated within the last 60 days. If you are homeless or living with someone else, ask the PHA what they accept as proof of address in your situation — policies vary.

The Application Process and What Happens Next

The application form itself asks for household composition, income, assets, and housing history. You will list every person living with you, their relationship to you, their age, and their Social Security number. The PHA will ask about your current housing situation, whether you have been evicted or have an eviction case pending, and whether anyone in your household has a criminal record.

After you submit the application, the PHA will contact you within a few weeks to schedule an intake interview. This is a conversation — not a test — where a staff member reviews your application, asks follow-up questions, and verifies the information you provided. Bring the same documents again in case they need to photocopy them. The interview usually takes 30 to 60 minutes.

Once the interview is complete, the PHA will determine your income level and calculate your rent share, which is typically 30 percent of your gross household income. They will also run a background check and contact previous landlords. This phase takes four to eight weeks depending on the PHA's workload.

If you are found to meet the program's requirements, you will be placed on the waiting list in the order your application was received (or sometimes prioritized if you have certain needs, like a disability). The wait time varies dramatically: some Indiana PHAs have lists under one year; others have waits of three to five years. The PHA will contact you when a voucher becomes available, usually by phone or mail.

Income Limits and Rent Calculations

Indiana Section 8 has income limits based on household size and the county you live in. These limits change each year. For example, a single person in Marion County might have a limit around $28,000 to $32,000 annually, while a family of four might have a limit around $45,000 to $52,000 — but these numbers shift yearly and vary by county. Call your local PHA to ask the current limit for your household size.

Your rent share is calculated as 30 percent of your gross household income, or the PHA's minimum rent (usually $50 to $100), whichever is higher. If your income is $24,000 per year, your share would be $600 per month. The Section 8 voucher covers the difference between your share and the actual rent, up to the PHA's payment standard for your area. If you find an apartment that rents for more than the payment standard, you pay the difference out of pocket.

If your income drops after you receive a voucher, your rent share drops too. If your income rises, your rent share rises. The PHA recertifies your income annually, so you will need to provide updated pay stubs or benefit letters each year.

What Disqualifies You or Delays Your Application

The PHA will deny your application if you have certain criminal convictions, including drug manufacturing or distribution within the past five years, or violent crime convictions within the past 10 years. Some PHAs have additional restrictions. If you have a criminal record, ask the PHA directly whether it will disqualify you before you spend time gathering documents.

An active eviction case does not automatically disqualify you, but an eviction judgment against you will. If you have been evicted in the past, the PHA will ask about it; recent evictions (within the past three to five years) can delay approval or result in denial depending on the reason and the PHA's policy.

Providing false information on your application — about income, household members, or housing history — will result in denial and may prevent you from reapplying for a set period. If you are unsure whether something should be disclosed, ask the PHA staff member before you submit the form.

If you do not show up for your intake interview, the PHA may close your application. If this happens, you will need to reapply and start over. Call immediately if you cannot make a scheduled appointment and ask to reschedule.

After You Receive Your Voucher

Once a voucher is available and you have passed the background check, the PHA will issue you a voucher (also called a certificate). This is a document that tells landlords the PHA will pay a portion of the rent. You then have a set amount of time — usually 60 to 120 days depending on your PHA — to find an apartment that meets program standards and is willing to accept Section 8.

The apartment must pass a PHA inspection covering safety, sanitation, and basic maintenance. The landlord must agree to the lease terms and the PHA's payment amount. Once the lease is signed and the inspection passes, the PHA begins paying the landlord directly each month. You pay your share of the rent to the landlord.

If you cannot find an apartment within the time allowed, contact your PHA immediately to ask for an extension. Extensions are sometimes granted, but not always. If your voucher expires unused, you lose it and return to the waiting list.

If Your Local PHA's List Is Closed

If the waiting list is closed, ask the PHA when they expect to reopen it. Some reopen annually; others reopen only when funding allows. Ask whether you can call back in three or six months to check, or whether they will notify you by mail when the list reopens.

While you wait, explore other housing programs. Call 211 Indiana and ask about emergency rental assistance, rapid rehousing programs, or nonprofit housing programs in your county. Some counties have local housing trust funds or landlord incentive programs that may help you now. These programs have different waiting lists and different may be able to access rules, so you may be able to move forward with one while waiting for Section 8.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. You can only be on one waiting list per PHA, and you cannot be on multiple PHAs' lists simultaneously. If you live in one county but work in another, you must choose which PHA to apply to based on where you live. Some PHAs allow transfers after you receive a voucher, but that happens later in the process.

What if I have an eviction case pending right now?

An active case does not disqualify you, but a judgment against you will. Apply now if the list is open. Tell the PHA about the case during your interview. Some PHAs will prioritize active cases because they want to prevent homelessness. If you receive a judgment before your voucher is issued, the PHA may deny you, so moving quickly matters.

Do I have to use the voucher in the same county where I applied?

Generally yes — you must use the voucher in the PHA's jurisdiction. Some PHAs participate in portability programs that allow you to move to another county after you have held the voucher for a set period, usually one year. Ask your PHA whether they participate in portability before you apply.

What happens if my income goes up after I get Section 8?

Your rent share will increase, but you keep the voucher. The PHA recertifies your income every year. If your income rises above the program limit for your household size, you may lose the voucher, but this usually happens gradually and the PHA will notify you in advance. Ask your PHA what the income limit is for your household size so you know the threshold.

Can I reapply if I was denied?

Yes, but timing depends on why you were denied. If you were denied for false information, you may not be able to reapply for one to three years depending on the PHA's policy. If you were denied for income or other reasons, you can usually reapply when your circumstances change. Call the PHA and ask what the reapplication policy is for your situation.