We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Civil

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Are the Qualifications for Section 8 Housing?

By S. McNesby
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 13,815
Share

The primary qualifications for section 8 housing are related to income; the program is designed to help lower-income families and individuals secure housing. The income level needed to qualify for section 8 will depend on where an individual lives; qualifications vary based on geography and may by higher in some areas than others. The property itself needs to meet certain standards for safety and cleanliness as well.

Factors including the salary earned by the applicant and cost of living for the home's location are used to determine the financial qualifications for section 8 housing. Since some cities are more expensive than others, each geographic area will have its own income limits. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), a family should spend no more than 30% of household income on rent. Most state agencies use this 30% figure to determine the section 8 financial qualifications.

The best way to see if an individual or family meets the qualifications for housing is to apply for benefits. Online calculators are available to assist with this process, but the state social services agency that handles Section 8 housing will have the final determination. Families that meet the criteria will be issued vouchers that can be presented to a landlord in lieu of rent each month.

In addition to the financial qualifications for section 8 housing, the apartment or house chosen needs to meet affordability standards for the area. Section 8 will pay the difference between the fair-market rental value of the home and the amount of money an approved applicant can afford to spend on rent. This figure is determined by subtracting 30% of the applicant's salary from the area's fair-market rental rate; the resulting figure is the dollar amount the applicant can receive from Section 8. If a home exceeds the fair-market standards for the area, it may not be a suitable choice.

Any home used for Section 8 housing needs to be in relatively good shape, with no major health or safety issues. If a home has been used for Section 8 housing before, it will likely be approved for the program again. The only way to know if a home qualifies is to present it to the state social services office and wait for inspection and approval.

Share
MyLawQuestions is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
By Ocelot60 — On Feb 02, 2015

@talentryto- You should contact the landlord to see if he is willing to accept Section 8 vouchers, or if his rental does not meet the qualifications. There is a big difference, because one that doesn't meet certain standards will not be approved by the state agency that issues Section 8 in your area.

On the other hand, perhaps the landlord has never been approached by a family that was eligible for Section 8 assistance, but he would be willing to accept it. If this is the case, he would need to contact the housing agency in your area to have his rental evaluated. If it is approved, the family that you are trying to help could apply for the rental in question.

By Talentryto — On Feb 01, 2015

What can a renter do if a rental is not listed as Section 8 approved? Does this mean that particular property is out of the question for a person who receives Section 8 assistance? I am trying to help a low-income family in my church find housing, and I am finding that there are long waiting lists for many Section 8 housing units in my area.

Share
https://www.mylawquestions.com/what-are-the-qualifications-for-section-8-housing.htm
Copy this link
MyLawQuestions, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

MyLawQuestions, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.