The Basic Requirements to Get on a Section 8 Waitlist
To get on a Section 8 waitlist, you must be a U.S. citizen or have may be able to access immigration status, have a household income below the local limit (usually 50% of the area median income, though some programs go to 80%), and pass a background check. You do not need to own a home or have perfect credit — the program is designed for people with low income, and many housing authorities specifically work with people who have had evictions or criminal records in the past.
The income limit varies by location and household size. A single person in rural Mississippi might have a different limit than a single person in San Francisco. When you contact your local housing authority, they will tell you the exact number for your household size and area. Income includes wages, Social Security, child support, unemployment benefits, and most other regular money coming in — but not one-time payments like tax refunds or insurance settlements.
You will need to bring documents to prove your income, identity, and household composition. These typically include a photo ID, recent pay stubs or tax returns, proof of citizenship or immigration status, and birth certificates for any children. If you receive benefits, bring the award letter. If you are self-employed, bring tax returns and possibly bank statements. The housing authority will tell you exactly what they need when you call or visit.
Key Takeaways
- You must have income below your local area's limit, which is usually 50% of the median income for your household size, and this limit varies by county and city.
- U.S. citizenship or may be able to access immigration status is required, and you will need to bring a photo ID and proof of citizenship or immigration documents.
- A background check is standard, but having a criminal record or past eviction does not automatically disqualify you — many housing authorities work with people who have these histories.
- Your household income includes wages, benefits, child support, and regular payments, but the housing authority will explain what counts in your specific situation.
- Waitlists are often closed, sometimes for years, so contact your local housing authority to learn whether you can apply now or when the list will reopen.
Immigration Status and Citizenship Requirements
may be able to access immigration status means you are a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or hold one of several other visa categories. The housing authority has a list of which statuses may have access to. If you are undocumented, you cannot get a Section 8 voucher, though some states and cities run separate rental assistance programs that do not have citizenship requirements — your local 211 service can tell you what exists in your area.
You will need to bring original documents or certified copies. A passport, birth certificate, naturalization papers, or green card all work. If your immigration status is pending — for example, you have filed for asylum but have not received a decision — ask the housing authority whether you can proceed conditionally. Some will let you start the process and complete it once your status is approved.
Income Limits and How They Are Calculated
The income limit for your household is set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) based on the median income in your county or metropolitan area. It is usually 50% of that median, though some programs use 60% or 80%. A family of four might have a limit of $35,000 per year in one county and $55,000 in another — the difference is real and large.
Income includes gross wages (before taxes), Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Veterans benefits, child support, alimony, unemployment insurance, workers' compensation, and regular payments from pensions or annuities. It does not include one-time payments, tax refunds, gifts, or money from selling an asset. If you receive TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) or SNAP (food stamps), those benefits themselves do not count as income, but any cash assistance does.
If your income is right at the limit or just over it, contact the housing authority anyway. Some programs have exceptions for elderly people or people with disabilities, and some count deductions (like child care costs or medical expenses) that can lower your countable income. The only way to know for certain is to ask.
Background Checks and Criminal History
The housing authority will run a background check that includes criminal history, eviction records, and sometimes credit history. Having a record does not automatically disqualify you. HUD rules say the housing authority must consider the nature of the offense, how long ago it happened, and what you have done since. A drug conviction from 15 years ago is treated differently than one from last year. An eviction for non-payment five years ago, followed by on-time rent since then, looks different than an eviction last month.
Some offenses are permanent bars: if you are required to register as a sex offender, or if you have been convicted of manufacturing methamphetamine, you cannot get a voucher. For other crimes, the housing authority has discretion. If you have a record and are worried, call the housing authority and ask what their policy is. Some are more lenient than others, and knowing in advance is better than finding out after you have waited years on a list.
If the housing authority denies you because of your background, you have the right to request a hearing and present your side of the story. Bring documentation of what you have done since the offense — steady employment, letters from employers or community members, proof of treatment or counseling, anything that shows change.
Household Composition and Family Documentation
Your household includes everyone living with you who is related to you by blood, marriage, or adoption, plus any foster children. It does not include roommates who are not family members, even if they pay rent. If you are applying as a family, you will need birth certificates for all children, a marriage certificate if you are married, and custody papers if any children are in your care but not biologically yours.
If you are pregnant, you can include the expected child in your household size for income calculation purposes, which can help if you are close to the limit. Bring a letter from your doctor or midwife stating the due date. If you have a child who lives with you part-time (for example, every other week), ask the housing authority how they count that child — policies vary.
Waitlist Status and How Long It Takes
Most Section 8 programs have closed waitlists, meaning you cannot apply right now. The housing authority maintains a list of people waiting for vouchers, and when funding becomes available, they work through the list in order. Some lists have been closed for five, ten, or even fifteen years. When a list reopens, it is usually only for a few weeks or months before closing again.
To find out whether your local list is open, call your housing authority directly — do not rely on their website, which is often outdated. Ask three things: Is the list open now? If not, when did it close and when might it reopen? Can you call back to check, or will they notify you? Some housing authorities have a phone line you can call monthly to hear updates. Others send postcards when the list reopens. A few use email or text alerts.
If the list is closed, you can still prepare. Gather your documents, write down your income, and be ready to apply the moment the list opens. Some people miss the window because they were not ready when it happened.
Documents You Will Need to Bring
| Category | Documents to Bring |
|---|---|
| Identity | Photo ID (driver's license, passport, state ID card) |
| Citizenship/Immigration | Birth certificate, passport, green card, naturalization papers, or visa documentation |
| Income (Employed) | Recent pay stubs (usually last 30 days), W-2 forms, or letter from employer on letterhead stating your job title and hourly rate or salary |
| Income (Self-Employed) | Last two years of tax returns, current year profit-and-loss statement, or business license |
| Income (Benefits) | Award letter from Social Security, SSI, Veterans Affairs, unemployment office, or TANF/SNAP agency |
| Household | Birth certificates for all children, marriage certificate if applicable, custody papers if applicable |
| Current Housing | Lease, rent receipt, or utility bill showing your current address |
Bring originals or certified copies. The housing authority will make photocopies. If you do not have a document — for example, you do not have a birth certificate — ask what they will accept instead. Many will take an affidavit (a sworn statement) or a letter from someone who knows you. Do not assume you are disqualified until you have asked.
Some housing authorities accept documents by mail or email before your in-person appointment, which can speed up the process. Call ahead and ask whether you can submit copies in advance. This gives them time to review what you have and ask for anything missing before you show up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be homeless or behind on rent to get Section 8?
No. You must have income below the limit, but you can be currently housed and paying rent on time. Many people on Section 8 waitlists are working and housed — they are just paying more than 30% of their income for rent and want a voucher to lower that burden. Being homeless or behind on rent does not move you up the list.
What if I have a felony conviction?
It depends on the felony and when it happened. Manufacturing methamphetamine and sex offender registration are permanent bars. Other felonies are evaluated case-by-case. Call your housing authority and describe the conviction honestly. They will tell you whether you can proceed. If they deny you, you can request a hearing.
Can I apply if I am not a U.S. citizen?
Only if you have may be able to access immigration status — green card, certain visa categories, or pending asylum. Undocumented immigrants cannot get Section 8, but some cities and states run separate rental assistance programs without citizenship requirements. Call 211 to learn what is available where you live.
How long does it take to get a voucher after I am approved?
If the waitlist is open and you are approved, you typically receive your voucher within a few weeks to a few months. If the list is closed, you wait until it reopens and your name comes up, which can take years. There is no way to speed this up.
What if my income goes up after I get a voucher?
Your rent contribution will increase, but you keep the voucher. Section 8 is designed so that you pay 30% of your income toward rent, and the program pays the rest (up to the local payment standard). As your income rises, your share rises too, but you do not lose the voucher unless your income exceeds the program limit by a significant amount — usually 120% of the area median income.