How To Get a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (Step-by-Step)

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers can help cover part of your rent in privately owned housing if your income is low enough and you qualify. HowToGetAssistance.org is an informational site only; you must use official government offices and portals to apply or check your status.

The voucher program is run locally, usually by Public Housing Agencies (PHAs), and the process typically involves joining a waitlist, submitting documents, and then finding a unit that passes inspection once you are selected.

Because Section 8 is federally funded but locally managed, rules, wait times, and procedures vary by city and county. You will always need to confirm details with your own local housing authority.

Fast Answer: The Basic Path to a Section 8 Voucher

To get a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, you typically must:

  1. Find your local Public Housing Agency (PHA).
  2. Check whether its Section 8 waitlist is open.
  3. Submit an application with your household and income information when the list is open.
  4. Respond to follow‑up requests for documents and interviews.
  5. Wait on the list until your name is reached and you receive a voucher offer.
  6. Locate an eligible rental unit, pass inspection, and sign the lease and voucher paperwork.

No one can guarantee that you’ll be approved, how long you’ll wait, or the exact amount of assistance you may receive; funding limits and local policies control those outcomes.

Does Section 8 Apply to Me? Basic Eligibility Clues

Eligibility is set by federal rules and local policies, but most PHAs use similar criteria.

You are more likely to qualify if:

  • Your household income is very low compared to your area’s median income (often below 50% of Area Median Income (AMI), with priority below 30%).
  • At least one household member is a U.S. citizen or has eligible immigration status.
  • Your household size and composition (adults, children, seniors, people with disabilities) match the unit size you request.
  • Your rental history and criminal background meet local screening rules (PHAs may deny for certain serious offenses).

PHAs commonly verify:

  • Identity and Social Security numbers (or immigration documentation where applicable).
  • All household income sources (wages, Social Security, SSI, TANF, unemployment, etc.).
  • Assets and benefits that might affect eligibility.

A helpful resource is the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s PHA locator, available on HUD’s official site, which lets you search for local agencies that administer vouchers.

Key Terms to Know (Plain Language)

  • Public Housing Agency (PHA): Local housing office that runs Section 8 and other housing programs.
  • Housing Choice Voucher (HCV): The main Section 8 voucher that helps pay rent in private apartments or houses.
  • Area Median Income (AMI): The midpoint income in your region; your eligibility is measured as a percentage of this.
  • Waitlist: A queue the PHA uses when it doesn’t have enough vouchers; you usually must join this before getting help.

Your Next Steps: How to Apply and What Happens Next

1. Find the right housing authority

  1. Locate your PHA.

    • Go to HUD’s official “Find Your Local Public Housing Agency” page on hud.gov or search online for “[your city/county] housing authority Section 8”.
    • Many areas have more than one PHA (city and county), and you can often apply to multiple lists if they are open.

  2. Confirm which programs they run.

    • Some PHAs only run public housing or special programs; look specifically for “Housing Choice Voucher” or “Section 8 voucher.”

2. Check if the Section 8 waitlist is open

  1. On the PHA’s official site or by phone, look for “Waitlist” or “Apply for Housing Choice Voucher.”
  2. You may see one of these statuses:
    • Open waitlist: You can submit an application now.
    • Closed waitlist: You must wait until they reopen (often announced with a specific opening window).
    • Lottery or limited opening: Applications accepted for a short period; names are chosen randomly or in priority order.

If the list is closed: Ask, “Can you tell me when and where you post announcements about Section 8 waitlist openings?” and sign up for any email or text alerts the PHA offers.

3. Prepare the information and documents PHAs commonly require

Most PHAs will want this when you apply or soon after:

  • Legal names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers (if applicable) for everyone in the household.
  • Photo ID for adult household members.
  • Proof of income for all earners: recent pay stubs, benefit award letters, child support, unemployment, etc.
  • Immigration documentation for non‑citizens with eligible status.
  • Current address and contact information (phone, mailing address, email if you have one).

Having copies ready (physical or scanned) reduces delays when the PHA asks for verification.

4. Submit your application (when the list is open)

PHAs typically accept applications in one or more ways:

  1. Online portal:

    • Create an account and complete all required fields accurately.
    • Save your confirmation number or print the confirmation page.

  2. In-person or paper application:

    • Pick up a form at the PHA office or download and print it from their website.
    • Fill it out clearly, sign it, and return it by the stated deadline via drop‑box, mail, or in person.

  3. By phone or with assistance (for disabilities/language needs):

    • Many PHAs must provide reasonable accommodations; ask if you need help filling out forms.

What to expect next: You usually do not receive a voucher right away. Instead, you may get a letter or email saying you are on the waitlist, or that your application was not accepted (for example, if you missed the deadline or didn’t meet basic criteria for that opening).

Real-world friction to watch for

One frequent snag is that applicants change phone numbers or addresses and miss letters or calls from the PHA, causing their application to be removed from the waitlist. Another common reason applications get delayed is incomplete or missing income documentation when the PHA starts verifying eligibility.

5. Maintain your waitlist status

Once you’re on the list, you typically must:

  1. Keep contact information updated.

    • If your phone, email, or address changes, notify the PHA in writing or through their portal right away.
    • Ask how they prefer updates (form, email, online account).

  2. Respond to update requests.

    • PHAs often send periodic “update” or “interest” letters; if you don’t respond by their deadline, you can be removed from the list.

  3. Report major household changes as required (births, people moving in or out, large income changes), following the PHA’s instructions.

What to expect next: Wait times can range from months to many years, depending on funding and demand. No PHA can promise a specific timeframe.

6. When your name is reached on the list

When you reach the top of the list, the PHA will typically:

  1. Contact you for a full eligibility review.

    • Expect requests for fresh income documents, IDs, and possibly an in‑person or phone interview.
    • They may check criminal records and rental history.

  2. Determine your final eligibility and voucher size.

    • If approved, you receive a voucher briefing (in person, online, or via packet) explaining how much rent you can afford and what types of units are allowed.
    • You are usually given a limited time (for example, 60–90 days) to find a unit.

7. Finding a unit and getting it approved

With an active voucher, you typically must:

  1. Search for a landlord who accepts vouchers.

    • You can look on general rental sites, local housing search portals, or PHA‑provided listings.
    • Not all landlords participate, and some areas have local laws about source‑of‑income discrimination.

  2. Submit a “Request for Tenancy Approval” (RFTA).

    • You and the landlord fill out this PHA form with unit details and proposed rent.
    • The PHA uses it to schedule an inspection and check that the rent is reasonable for the area.

  3. Pass the Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection.

    • The unit must meet basic health and safety standards.
    • If the unit fails, the landlord can fix issues and request a re‑inspection, or you may need to keep searching.

What to expect next: Once the unit is approved and paperwork is signed, the PHA starts paying its portion of the rent to the landlord, and you pay your share directly to the landlord each month.

Avoid Mistakes and Scam Warnings

Because vouchers involve rent money and personal information, scams are common.

Common snags (and quick fixes):

  • “Application fee” demands: PHAs typically do not charge a fee to apply for Section 8. If someone asks for money to “guarantee” a spot or faster approval, walk away.
  • Fake websites: Always double‑check that you’re on an official .gov or clearly identified housing authority site before entering personal details.
  • Third-party promises: No lawyer, company, or individual can legally sell you a voucher or move you to the top of the list.

You can confirm whether a site is legitimate by comparing contact info with what appears on HUD’s official PHA contact list or by calling the number listed on a government .gov domain.

If Section 8 Doesn’t Work or the List Is Closed

If you cannot get on a Section 8 list right now or are denied after review, there are often other housing resources to explore.

Possible alternatives and backups:

  • Public housing or other PHA programs (project‑based vouchers, specific buildings for seniors or people with disabilities).
  • State or local rental assistance programs, which may offer shorter‑term help.
  • Emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, or homelessness prevention programs through local continuum of care agencies.
  • 211 helpline, which can connect you to housing and utility assistance in your area; you can usually dial 2‑1‑1 or visit the official 211 website for your state.

If you believe your application was wrongly denied or you were removed from the waitlist in error, ask the PHA about its appeal or informal hearing process and follow their timelines carefully.

Quick Summary: Getting a Section 8 Voucher

  • Do this next: Find your local Public Housing Agency and check if its Housing Choice Voucher waitlist is open.
  • If open: Submit an application with complete household and income information before the deadline.
  • If closed: Ask how they announce future openings and sign up for alerts.
  • While waiting: Keep your contact info current and respond to PHA letters quickly.
  • When selected: Complete eligibility verification, attend any briefing, and search for a unit that will pass inspection.
  • Stay safe: Never pay anyone to “guarantee” a voucher, and only use official government or housing authority websites and offices.