Is Affordable Housing the Same as Section 8?

Affordable housing and Section 8 are related, but they are not the same thing. Section 8 is one type of affordable housing program, but there are several others that work very differently.

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Fast Answer: How Affordable Housing and Section 8 Differ

Affordable housing is a broad term for housing that costs less than typical market rent for people with lower or moderate incomes. It includes many programs and funding sources.

Section 8 is a specific federal program (also called the Housing Choice Voucher Program) that helps eligible tenants pay rent in privately owned housing.

You can think of it this way:

Section 8 is one tool inside the larger affordable housing system. You might qualify for affordable housing without ever using Section 8, and some affordable housing properties do not accept Section 8 vouchers.

Key Terms You’ll See (Plain Language)

A few terms appear repeatedly when comparing affordable housing and Section 8:

• Housing Choice Voucher (HCV): The common name for Section 8 vouchers you can use with participating landlords.
• Project-based Section 8: Section 8 assistance attached to a specific building or unit, not to you personally.
• Income limits: Maximum income to qualify, usually based on Area Median Income (AMI) for your county/metro area.
• Subsidized housing: Any housing where the government or another entity pays part of the cost so the tenant pays less.

These terms often appear in listings, applications, and conversations with housing agencies or property managers.

Types of Affordable Housing vs. Section 8

Affordable housing is a category; Section 8 is just one program in that category. Here are the major types you may run into.

1. Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (Tenant-Based)

This is what most people think of when they say “Section 8”:

• You apply through a Public Housing Agency (PHA).
• If accepted and funded, you receive a voucher.
• You search for a rental unit from a private landlord who is willing to accept the voucher and pass required inspections.
• The PHA typically pays a portion of the rent directly to the landlord, and you pay the rest (often around 30% of your income, but the exact amount varies).

If you move, you usually can take the voucher with you, subject to rules and PHA approval.

2. Project-Based Section 8

In project-based Section 8:

• The subsidy is tied to specific units in a building, not to you.
• You apply directly to the property that has Section 8 units.
• If you move out, the assistance stays with the unit, and you do not take a voucher with you.

This is also considered affordable housing, but it works differently from a portable Section 8 voucher.

3. Tax-Credit and Other Affordable Housing (Non–Section 8)

Many buildings are “affordable” because they receive federal or state funding (like Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, or LIHTC) or other subsidies. Common traits:

• Rents are below market and tied to income limits.
• You apply directly to the property management office.
• These properties may or may not accept Section 8 vouchers.
• Rent is usually a fixed “affordable” amount based on unit size and AMI, not always 30% of your income.

This housing is affordable, but it is not Section 8 unless the property specifically participates in a Section 8 program.

Does Section 8 or Other Affordable Housing Apply to You?

You don’t need to know every program by name to get started, but it helps to recognize where you might fit. Affordability programs typically look at:

• Household income: Often must be low or very low compared to area median income for your county or metro area.
• Household size: Income limits are different for 1, 2, 3+ person households.
• Citizenship/eligible immigration status: For Section 8 and most federal programs, at least one household member must have eligible status; mixed-status families have special rules.
• Background factors: Some programs review criminal history, past evictions, or money owed to housing authorities.

Income limits and rules vary by state and even by county or city. To find the right official office for your area, visit your local Public Housing Agency (PHA) list on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) website by searching for “HUD local public housing agency list” or using HUD’s PHA contact tool.

Your Next Steps: How to Check Options and Apply

Use this sequence to figure out which affordable housing and Section 8 options you can actually pursue where you live.

1. Identify the Official Housing Office in Your Area

Do this next:

1. Find your local PHA.

   • Go to HUD’s PHA contact page and search by state and city/county.
   • Note their website, phone number, and office name.

2. Look for pages labeled “Housing Choice Voucher,” “Section 8,” “Public Housing,” or “Affordable Housing Programs.”
   What to expect next: You’ll usually see whether voucher or public housing waitlists are open or closed, plus instructions for applying when they are open.

If you can’t find the right office online, you can also dial 211 in many areas or visit the official 211 website to get connected to local housing resources and agencies.

2. Check What Programs Are Actually Open

Housing programs often have limited funding and long waitlists:

1. See if the Section 8 voucher waitlist is open.

   • If it’s open, the site typically explains how to submit a pre-application and what basic information you must provide.
   • If it’s closed, some PHAs let you sign up for alerts or post approximate reopening periods.

2. Check for project-based or public housing waitlists.

   • Some PHAs or partner agencies manage buildings with project-based Section 8 or other subsidized units.
   • Expect separate waitlists and applications for each property or program.

3. Search for other affordable housing properties.

   • Many cities and states post affordable housing property lists on official housing or redevelopment agency websites.
   • These listings may include LIHTC/tax-credit buildings that have lower rents but no vouchers.

What to expect next: Most applications do not result in immediate housing. Instead, you are typically placed on a waitlist and contacted later by mail, email, or phone if your name is selected.

3. Prepare Commonly Required Information

Having documents ready won’t skip the line, but it can prevent delays once your name is reached. Commonly required items include:

• Proof of identity (ID, Social Security numbers if available)
• Proof of income (pay stubs, benefit letters, SSI/SSDI, unemployment, etc.)
• Household information (names, dates of birth, relationship of all members)
• Current housing details (address, landlord contact, rent amount if renting)

Real-world friction to watch for: A common reason applications get delayed is incomplete or outdated information (like missing pay stubs or old contact information), so keeping copies of income proof and promptly updating your phone, email, and mailing address with the PHA or property can reduce back-and-forth.

Avoid Mistakes and Housing Scams

Because housing help involves money and personal information, there is real risk of scams and misunderstandings. A few protections go a long way:

• Application fees:

  • Legitimate PHAs typically do not charge a fee to apply for Section 8 or public housing.
  • Some affordable properties may charge a standard application or screening fee, but this should be clearly explained and paid directly to the property or management company, not to an individual.

• Never pay a “guarantee” fee.
  If someone says they can “get you approved faster” for Section 8 or a housing voucher for a fee, treat it as a serious red flag.

• Use only official websites and offices.

  • Official sites usually end in .gov or clearly show they are a housing authority or government partner.
  • If you apply online, make sure you are on the housing authority’s own site, not a third‑party ad or lead‑collection form.

• Protect your information.

  • It is normal for PHAs and landlords to ask for Social Security numbers (if any), dates of birth, and income proof.
  • It is not normal for them to ask you to send documents via social media direct messages or to pay in gift cards or cryptocurrency.

If you’re unsure whether a site or offer is real, a simple phone script could be: “I found an application online that says it’s for Section 8. Can you confirm if this is your official website or if I should apply another way?”

If Section 8 Isn’t Available, Other Affordable Options

In many areas, Section 8 voucher waitlists are closed or extremely long. That doesn’t necessarily mean there are no affordable options at all. You can also:

1. Call or visit affordable housing properties directly.

   • Ask: “Do you have income-restricted or tax-credit units, and are you accepting applications?”
   • Clarify whether they accept Section 8 vouchers if you already have one.

2. Ask your PHA about other programs.
   Some PHAs administer:

   • Public housing (PHA-owned buildings with subsidized rent)
   • Project-based Section 8 properties
   • Other local rental assistance or short-term aid

3. Use official housing search tools when available.
   Some states maintain government-run online searches for income-restricted or subsidized rentals. These are often linked from state housing agency or PHA websites.

What to expect next: Even for non–Section 8 affordable housing, you are often placed on a waitlist and then contacted by the property when a unit that matches your household size is available. There is no guarantee of timing or approval, and you may want to stay on multiple lists to increase your chances.

Understanding that “affordable housing” is a broad category and Section 8 is just one program inside it helps you widen your search: you can look for Section 8 vouchers or units when available, but also consider tax-credit buildings, public housing, and other income-restricted properties managed by local housing authorities and nonprofit or mission-driven landlords.