The Main Requirements for Section 8

Section 8 has three hard requirements: your household income must fall below a limit set by your local Public Housing Authority (PHA), you must be a U.S. citizen or have may be able to access immigration status, and you must pass a background check. The income limit varies by location and household size — a family of four might have a limit of $45,000 in one county and $62,000 in another. Your PHA publishes its current limits on its website, usually in a table organized by family size.

Beyond those three, most PHAs also require that you have a valid lease or a housing provider willing to accept Section 8 before you can receive a voucher. You will need to show proof of income, residency, and identity. Criminal history does not automatically disqualify you, but certain convictions — particularly drug-related felonies or sex offenses — will. Each PHA has its own rules about how far back they look and what they will overlook.

Key Takeaways

  • Your household income must be at or below your local PHA's limit, which varies by county and family size and is published on the PHA website.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen or have one of several may be able to access immigration statuses; your PHA will verify this through the Department of Homeland Security database.
  • You will need to pass a background check covering criminal history, credit, and rental history; some convictions disqualify you permanently while others do not.
  • Most PHAs require you to have a signed lease or a landlord agreement before issuing a voucher, so finding housing comes before or alongside the approval process.
  • Income limits change yearly and vary dramatically by location, so checking your specific PHA's current limits is the only way to know whether you meet the threshold.

Income Limits and How They Are Calculated

Your PHA calculates the income limit based on the area median income (AMI) for your county. Section 8 income limits are typically set at 50 percent of AMI, though some PHAs use different percentages. A family of four in a rural county might have a limit of $35,000 per year, while the same family size in an urban area might have a limit of $70,000. These limits are updated once per year, usually in the spring.

Income includes wages, self-employment earnings, Social Security, unemployment benefits, child support, and most other regular money coming into the household. It does not include one-time payments, tax refunds, or money from selling an asset. If you are self-employed, your PHA will ask for tax returns from the past two years to verify your income. If your income is seasonal or variable, they will average it over the year.

Your PHA will count income for everyone in the household, including children and non-relatives living with you. If someone in the household has no income, that does not hurt your case — only the total matters. You can find your PHA's current income limits on its website, usually under "Income Limits" or "Rent Limits." If you cannot find them online, call the PHA directly and ask for the limits for your household size.

Immigration Status and Citizenship Requirements

You must be a U.S. citizen or have one of several may be able to access immigration statuses. may be able to access statuses include lawful permanent residents (green card holders), refugees, asylees, victims of human trafficking, and certain other categories. Your PHA will verify your status through the Department of Homeland Security's SAVE system, which checks federal immigration records.

If you are not a citizen, you will need to provide your immigration document — your green card, refugee travel document, or other proof of status. If you are a citizen, you will need a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization certificate. Your PHA will make a copy and keep it in your file. If your status is pending or you are unsure whether you are in an may be able to access category, contact your PHA before you submit anything; they can tell you whether your situation qualifies.

Background Checks and Criminal History

Your PHA will run a background check that covers criminal history, credit, and rental history. The criminal check looks at felony and misdemeanor convictions. Drug-related felonies and sex offenses typically result in permanent disqualification. Other felonies and misdemeanors are evaluated case-by-case; your PHA may deny you, or it may approve you with conditions.

How far back the PHA looks varies. Some PHAs check the past five years, others check the past seven or ten years, and some check your entire record. Your PHA's policy should be available on its website or by phone. If you have a conviction, ask your PHA what its policy is before you apply. Some PHAs will consider the age of the conviction, your behavior since then, and whether you have paid restitution or completed probation.

Rental history matters too. If you have been evicted, owe money to a former landlord, or have a history of lease violations, your PHA may deny you. However, eviction alone does not always disqualify you — some PHAs will overlook an old eviction if you have paid the debt or if circumstances have changed. Credit problems are less of a barrier than criminal or rental history, though unpaid debts can count against you.

Household Composition and Who Counts

Your household includes everyone living with you, whether or not they are related to you. It includes children, spouses, parents, roommates, and anyone else with a permanent address at your home. Temporary guests do not count. Your PHA will ask you to list everyone in the household and provide their ages and relationship to you.

The size of your household affects your income limit and the size of the voucher you receive. A family of three has a lower income limit than a family of four. A single person has the lowest limit. If someone moves out or a child turns 18 and leaves, you must report it to your PHA — your voucher size may change, and your rent contribution may change as well.

Residency and Documentation You Will Need

You must live in the jurisdiction served by the PHA where you are applying. Most PHAs serve a specific county or city. If you live outside that area, you cannot apply to that PHA. Some PHAs have preferences for people who already live in their jurisdiction or who work there; check your PHA's policy on its website.

You will need to bring proof of residency, usually a utility bill, lease, or mail from a government agency showing your current address. You will also need a photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. Bring proof of income: recent pay stubs, tax returns, a letter from your employer, or a Social Security statement. If you receive benefits, bring the award letter. Bring proof of all household members' ages: birth certificates or school records. Your PHA will tell you exactly what documents to bring when you contact them or when you show up for an appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my income is just slightly over the limit?

Most PHAs will not make exceptions for income that exceeds the limit, even by a small amount. However, some PHAs have waiting lists and may recalculate your income annually — if your income drops below the limit later, you may move up the list. Contact your PHA to ask whether it recalculates income or whether there is any flexibility in how it counts your earnings.

Do I need a lease before I apply?

Most PHAs do not require a lease before you apply, but many require one before you receive your voucher. Some PHAs let you search for housing after you are approved; others require you to find a place first. Call your PHA and ask what the process is in your area — it varies significantly.

Will a felony conviction automatically disqualify me?

Not automatically. Drug felonies and sex offenses usually do disqualify you permanently, but other felonies are reviewed individually. Your PHA will look at the type of crime, how long ago it happened, and your behavior since. Ask your PHA about its specific policy before you apply.

Can I include someone in my household who is not a citizen?

Yes, but at least one person in the household must be a citizen or have may be able to access immigration status. Non-citizens in the household do not need to have status themselves, but the person whose name is on the lease must may have access to. Your PHA will verify the status of the lease holder through the SAVE system.

What happens if my household size changes after I get a voucher?

You must report changes to your PHA. If someone moves out, your voucher size may decrease and your rent contribution may change. If someone moves in, you may be able to increase your voucher size, but you will need to report it and your PHA will recalculate your income and rent share based on the new household composition.