How to Get a Housing Voucher: Step‑by‑Step Guide

Housing vouchers (often called Section 8 vouchers) help eligible low‑income households pay part of their rent to private landlords. HowToGetAssistance.org is an informational site only; you must use official housing agencies and government portals to apply or check status.

Most housing vouchers are run by local Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) under HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher program. You generally cannot get a voucher directly from HUD; you work with the PHA that serves your city or county.

Fast Answer: How People Typically Get a Housing Voucher

To get a housing voucher, you usually must:

  1. Find your local Public Housing Agency that administers vouchers.
  2. See if their waiting list is open and how they accept applications.
  3. Submit an application with income, household, and residency information.
  4. Wait on the list, respond to any follow‑up, and complete eligibility screening when your name comes up.
  5. Receive a voucher (if approved), then find a unit and pass inspections before assistance starts.

Availability, rules, and timelines vary by state and even by county. To find the correct office, you can use HUD’s “Find Your Local Public Housing Agency” tool on HUD.gov or call 211 to ask for the housing authority that handles Section 8 in your area.

Key Terms You’ll See (Plain Language)

  • Public Housing Agency (PHA): Local housing authority or office that runs voucher programs for your area.
  • Housing Choice Voucher / Section 8: The main federal rent voucher program where you rent from private landlords.
  • Waiting list: A queue of eligible applicants; some lists are closed for years when demand is very high.
  • Preference: A rule that moves some applicants higher on the list (for example, homeless, veteran, or local resident preferences, where allowed).

Does a Housing Voucher Apply to You? Basic Eligibility Clues

Each PHA sets specific rules within HUD guidelines, but you are more likely to qualify if several of these apply:

  • Your household income is low for your area (typically at or below 50% of Area Median Income, with priority for 30% AMI or below).
  • At least one household member is a U.S. citizen or eligible non‑citizen.
  • You live in or plan to live in the PHA’s service area.
  • No recent serious lease violations or certain criminal activity, as defined by the PHA.
  • You meet any local preferences they use (such as being homeless, displaced by domestic violence, or a veteran).

Because income limits and preferences are different everywhere, the most accurate information comes from your local PHA’s website or office. They typically publish income limit charts and their Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy (ACOP) or Administrative Plan online.

What You’ll Need Ready Before You Apply

Having documents ready does not guarantee approval, but it often prevents delays and missed chances when waiting lists briefly open.

Commonly requested items include:

  • Identity documents: Driver’s license or state ID, birth certificates, Social Security cards for household members (where applicable).
  • Income proof: Recent pay stubs, Social Security award letters, unemployment benefit statements, child support orders, pension statements.
  • Household information: Names, dates of birth, relationship of household members, current address and contact info.
  • Immigration status documentation (if applicable): Green card, eligible non‑citizen documents for those claiming eligible status.
  • Special circumstance proof (if claiming a preference): Homeless verification letter, domestic violence documentation, disability verification, veteran discharge papers.

If you do not have a document (such as a lost Social Security card), ask the PHA what alternatives they accept; they often allow temporary verification or give you time to replace missing items.

Your Next Steps: How to Apply and What to Expect

1. Find the Right Housing Office

  1. Go to HUD’s “Find Your Local Public Housing Agency” page on HUD.gov and enter your state.
  2. Identify the PHA that serves your city/county and click through to their website or call their listed phone number.
  3. Confirm they administer the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program, because some PHAs manage only public housing units.

If you can’t find the right office, call 211 and say: “I’m looking for the housing authority that handles Section 8 vouchers in [your city/county]. Can you give me their contact information?”

2. Check Whether the Waiting List Is Open

Most PHAs use a waiting list because demand far exceeds available vouchers.

  • Look on the PHA’s website for sections labeled “Housing Choice Voucher,” “Section 8,” “Apply for Housing,” or “Waiting List.”
  • They usually state whether the list is open or closed, plus:
    • How to apply (online form, mail‑in, in‑person, or phone assistance).
    • Whether they use a lottery to select applicants during a short open period.
    • Any deadlines for submitting pre‑applications.

If the list is closed, sign up for notifications, check back periodically, or ask if they post openings in local newspapers, social media, or community centers.

3. Submit an Application or Pre‑Application

When the list is open, PHAs commonly use a shorter pre‑application first.

Do this next:

  1. Complete the application accurately and fully. List all household members and all sources of income.
  2. Provide requested documents or be ready to present them later if they only collect documents at screening.
  3. Keep a copy of what you submit and note any confirmation or application number.

What to expect next:
You may receive a confirmation letter or email telling you that you are placed on the waiting list, sometimes with a rough position number or an explanation that selection will be by lottery. Others may simply instruct you to keep your contact information updated and wait.

Quick Summary: Typical Voucher Application Flow

  • Find local PHA → via HUD.gov tool or 211.
  • Check waiting list status → open/closed, methods, deadlines.
  • Submit pre‑application → online, by mail, or in person.
  • Get on waiting list → wait (often months or years), update contact info.
  • Screening & interview → verify income, background, preferences.
  • Voucher issued (if approved) → time‑limited search for a unit.
  • Unit approved & lease signed → inspections, then subsidy starts.

Real‑World Friction to Watch For

One frequent snag is applicants missing letters or emails because their address, phone, or email changed while on the waiting list; PHAs often remove people who don’t respond by the deadline. Another common delay happens when income or identity documents are incomplete or inconsistent, forcing multiple follow‑ups. People also sometimes assume they are ineligible based on guesses about income, when the local income limits would actually allow them to qualify.

Avoid Mistakes and Scam Warnings

Because vouchers involve rental assistance money, scams are common around applications and “priority spots.”

To protect yourself:

  • Never pay anyone a fee to apply for a Housing Choice Voucher; legitimate PHAs typically do not charge application fees.
  • Apply only through official channels: a .gov or clearly government‑run site, a known housing authority office, or a designated community partner listed directly on the PHA’s website.
  • Be cautious of people or websites claiming they can “guarantee approval,” “bump you up the list,” or “sell a voucher”—these are not legitimate.
  • When applying online, double‑check the URL and look for your PHA’s name and contact info; you can always call the PHA to confirm you’re using the correct portal.
  • If someone contacts you on social media or text with a voucher offer and asks for gift cards, wire transfers, or banking passwords, treat it as a scam and do not send money.

If you suspect fraud involving a HUD program, you can report it through the HUD Office of Inspector General page on HUD.gov.

If This Doesn’t Work: Alternatives and Backup Options

Because voucher waiting lists are often long or closed, it is common not to get help quickly through Housing Choice Vouchers. You can still explore other options while you wait:

  • Public housing units: Some PHAs manage public housing apartments with separate waiting lists and slightly different rules.
  • Project‑based Section 8 properties: Instead of a mobile voucher, the subsidy is tied to specific buildings. You apply directly to those property managers.
  • State or local rental assistance programs: Some states, counties, or cities run short‑term rent help, eviction prevention, or rapid rehousing programs through social services departments.
  • Emergency shelters and transitional housing: For people currently homeless or fleeing unsafe situations, local Continuum of Care agencies or domestic violence agencies may offer emergency options.
  • Nonprofit or faith‑based assistance: Local charities sometimes offer one‑time rental help, utility assistance, or security deposit help, separate from vouchers.

To find these, you can:

  • Call 211 and ask: “Can you tell me about any rental assistance programs, public housing, or project‑based Section 8 properties near me?”
  • Check your state or county human services / social services department website for rental or homelessness prevention programs.

Fixing a Problem: Denials, Errors, and Lost Spots on the List

If your application is denied or you believe there’s an error, PHAs typically must offer some form of review or informal hearing, especially after full eligibility determination.

Common steps:

  1. Read the denial or closure letter carefully. It should state the reason (income over limit, failed background check, incomplete application, missed deadline, etc.).
  2. Note any deadline to request an appeal or informal hearing; these deadlines are often strict.
  3. Prepare documentation that addresses the specific reason—corrected income information, updated criminal record information, or proof that you responded on time.
  4. Submit a written request for appeal or hearing, following the instructions in the letter.

If you never received a letter but find out your name was removed from the list, contact the PHA and ask if you can update your contact information and reapply when the list next opens. There is no guarantee they will restore your prior place, but some PHAs have policies for addressing mail returned as undeliverable.

By identifying your local PHA, tracking when waiting lists open, applying through official channels, and keeping your contact information and documents current, you put yourself in the best position to get a housing voucher when one becomes available.