Among other programs, the Department of Housing and Urban DevelopmentEstablished in 1965, HUD's mission is to increase homeownership, support community development, and increase access to affordable housing free from discrimination. To fulfill this mission, HUD will em... More offers a program called Section 8The housing assistance payments program that implements Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937. More to help low-income families pay for their housing. This program pays a subsidyMoney paid by a government agency to assist a household or property. Depending on the context, this can be in the form of rental assistance or financing assistance to a property. More to ensure low-income individuals and families pay no more than 30 percent of their gross monthly income for their housing. Section 8The housing assistance payments program that implements Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937. More may be project-based (i.e., tied to specific properties) or tenant-based (i.e., tied to the tenantA legal resident of a rental property. More in the form of vouchers, or rental certificates). Many people prefer the voucher system because it allows them more latitude in choosing where they live. Here’s a quick overview on how to qualify for the Section 8The housing assistance payments program that implements Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937. More rental certificate program.
Eligibility for Section 8
The Section 8The housing assistance payments program that implements Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937. More program is federally funded and overseen, but it is implemented by local agencies across the U.S. The reason, of course, is that housing costs are vastly different in different parts of the country, as is the general cost of living. (It costs much more to live in New York City, for example, than in Tuscaloosa, AlabamaFrom the rolling mountains of the north to the pristine Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, Alabama is a state with natural beauty all its own. Since it was first settled, Alabama has largely been a ru... More.) This means the actual eligibility requirements for receiving Section 8The housing assistance payments program that implements Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937. More may vary quite a bit by location, along with the actual dollar amount of the subsidies you receive.
That said, individuals and households may be eligible for Section 8The housing assistance payments program that implements Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937. More vouchers based on the following criteria:
Income
Generally speaking, you must make 50 percent or less of the Area Median Income (AMI) for the area where you’re applying for help. This qualification may vary based on where you live—some expensive areas qualify people at 60 percent AMI or even more—but this is the basic benchmark in most areas. The income qualification may also be adjusted based on the number of people in your householdAll the people who occupy a housing unit. A household includes the related family members and all the unrelated people, if any, such as lodgers, foster children, wards, or employees who share the hous... More (a single person applying for Section 8The housing assistance payments program that implements Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937. More won’t need as much assistance as a family of four).
Waitlist preferences
Most areas have a waitlist to receive Section 8The housing assistance payments program that implements Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937. More, and depending on the local demographics, certain people may be given priority to receive aid and be moved up the list—for example, the elderly, disabled or homelessAn individual who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence; as well an individual who has a primary nighttime residence that is a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter desi... More. Other factors that may affect your priority on the list include whether you are a veteran, a victim of domestic violenceIncludes felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence committed by a current or former spouse of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabitating with... More, employed or enrolled in job training, recently displaced due to natural disaster, etc. Check with your local public housing office to see the specific preferences and restrictions for your area.
Disqualifying factors
Some housing authorities may disqualify an application based on some criteria—for example, if an applicant has been evicted for non-payment of rent (especially in HUDEstablished in 1965, HUD's mission is to increase homeownership, support community development, and increase access to affordable housing free from discrimination. To fulfill this mission, HUD will em... More housing), or if an applicant has a violent criminal record. Again, these qualifiers are left mainly up to the local agency and aren’t consistent across the board.
How to apply for the Section 8 Rental Certificate Program
The best way to learn whether you qualify for Section 8The housing assistance payments program that implements Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937. More vouchers is to check with your local public housing authority (HUD’s website has a search feature by state). When you apply, be sure to bring proof of income (tax returns and recent pay stubs) and be prepared to answer questions as to your family status, employment status, rent history, etc.
If you are part of the Section 8The housing assistance payments program that implements Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937. More voucher program and are looking for affordable housingIn general, housing for which the occupant(s) is/are paying no more than 30 percent of his or her income for gross housing costs, including utilities. Please note that some jurisdictions may define af... More, Olympia ManagementOlympia Management, Inc. exists to meet the needs of the affordable housing community by providing top-quality living conditions, excellent management, compassionate interaction with tenants, and cons... More, Inc. may be able to help. Give us a call 256-894-2382 or visit our website.