Can Someone With a Felony Get Section 8 Housing?

People with felony convictions can sometimes get Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, but approval depends on the type of felony, when it happened, and local housing authority policies. There is no automatic ban for every felon, but there are crimes that usually make you ineligible.

HowToGetAssistance.org provides general information only; to apply or appeal you must go through official government housing agencies or their approved partners.

Fast Answer: When a Felony Blocks Section 8 — and When It Might Not

Section 8 is run locally by Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), and each PHA follows federal rules plus its own policies. That means two people with similar records could get different answers in different cities or counties.

Most PHAs must deny assistance if you or a household member:

  • Are on a lifetime sex offender registry.
  • Have been convicted of manufacturing methamphetamine in federally assisted housing.

Many PHAs often deny or closely review applicants with:

  • Recent violent felonies.
  • Drug distribution or serious drug felonies, especially recent ones.
  • Felonies involving fraud related to housing or government benefits.

Less serious or older felonies may not automatically disqualify you, especially if:

  • The conviction is many years old and there is evidence of stable behavior since.
  • You have completed probation/parole and any required programs.
  • You can show rehabilitation, such as steady work, treatment completion, or positive references.

PHAs typically look at the overall pattern, not just a single charge, and they have discretion in many cases, as long as they follow federal law.

Key Terms You’ll See in the Process

  • PHA (Public Housing Authority) – Local agency that accepts applications and decides eligibility for Section 8.
  • Criminal background check – Records search the PHA uses to review convictions and sometimes arrests.
  • Disqualifying offense – A crime that, under federal or local policy, will usually lead to denial.
  • Informal hearing – A basic appeal process where you can challenge a denial in many PHA programs.

Understanding these terms helps you read letters from the housing authority and know what they’re referring to.

Does This Apply to You? How PHAs Typically Judge Felony Records

Because rules vary by state and by housing authority, you should assume that your local PHA’s written policy controls your case. Most policies look at three main things:

  1. Type of felony

    • Almost always disqualifying:
      • Lifetime sex offender registration.
      • Meth manufacturing in federally assisted housing.
    • Often strongly negative:
      • Violent crimes (assault with weapon, homicide-related offenses, robbery).
      • Serious drug trafficking or distribution.
      • Arson or major property damage.
    • Sometimes considered case-by-case:
      • Non-violent property offenses (theft, burglary without violence).
      • Drug possession (especially older cases).
      • Some financial or fraud-related felonies.

  2. How recent the conviction is

    • Many PHAs use look-back periods, such as 3–7 years, where certain convictions are heavily weighed.
    • Older convictions beyond the look-back period may still be considered but often carry less weight if there are no new offenses.

  3. Evidence of current risk

    • Pattern of recent arrests or charges, even without convictions.
    • Probation/parole violations showing ongoing issues.
    • Documented violent behavior or threats.

If you’re not sure, ask the PHA for its “Section 8 Administrative Plan” or “Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy”, which usually explains how criminal history is evaluated.

Your Next Steps if You Have a Felony and Want to Apply

1. Find the Right Housing Authority

  1. Identify your local PHA.

    • Use HUD’s “Find Your Local Public Housing Agency” tool on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development website: search for “HUD local public housing agencies” and select your state.
    • Or dial 211 in many areas to ask for help finding the housing authority that serves your city or county.

  2. Verify it’s official.

    • The housing authority website usually has a .gov or is clearly identified as a city/county agency.
    • Be cautious of sites that ask for upfront fees to “guarantee” voucher approval.

2. Check Their Criminal History Policy Before Applying

  1. On the PHA’s site or by phone, ask for:
    • Section 8 (Housing Choice Voucher) eligibility rules.
    • Their criminal background policy, sometimes found in the Administrative Plan.
  2. Look for details on:
    • Disqualifying crimes.
    • Look-back periods (e.g., “no violent felonies in the past 5 years”).
    • Whether they accept mitigating or rehabilitation information.

What to expect next: Staff typically won’t pre-approve you by phone, but they can say whether your type of felony is usually disqualifying and confirm if you’re allowed to apply.

A simple phone script:
“Hi, I’m calling to ask about your Section 8 voucher program. I have a past felony conviction and want to know how your policy looks at criminal records and whether there are waiting periods or exceptions.”

3. Prepare What You’ll Need Ready

When you are allowed to apply, PHAs commonly require:

  • Photo ID for adults in the household.
  • Social Security numbers (or documentation of ineligibility, if applicable).
  • Proof of income (pay stubs, award letters, unemployment, etc.).
  • Household information (names, dates of birth, relationships).
  • Criminal history disclosure: most applications ask directly about felonies and sex offender status.

For people with records, it can also help to gather:

  • Court documents or discharge papers showing the date and outcome of your case.
  • Proof you completed probation/parole.
  • Certificates of completion for treatment, classes, or reentry programs.
  • Letters from employers, counselors, or community programs, if the PHA accepts them.

4. Submit the Application and Expect a Background Check

  1. Apply during an open application period, which may be:
    • Online through the PHA’s official portal,
    • In-person at the housing authority office, or
    • By mail, if they allow it.
  2. Be completely honest about your criminal history.
    • PHAs typically run criminal background and sex offender registry checks.
    • If information on your application doesn’t match what they find, that can itself be a reason for denial.

What to expect next:

  • Many PHAs have long waiting lists, and you may wait months or years for processing and selection.
  • Before final approval, you may be called in for an eligibility interview, where they will verify your information and may ask about your record.

Real-world friction to watch for

A common reason applications get delayed is missing or outdated court or probation records, especially when a housing authority asks for proof that a case is closed or that probation was completed; contacting the court clerk or probation office early for official documents can often prevent this delay.

If You’re Denied Because of a Felony: Fixing a Problem

If a PHA denies your Section 8 application, they usually send a written notice stating:

  • The reason for denial (for example, a specific conviction or pattern of behavior).
  • Your right to an informal hearing and how to request it.
  • The deadline to ask for a hearing (often 10–30 days, but it varies).

Steps to Respond to a Denial

  1. Read the denial letter carefully.

    • Confirm they have the correct conviction, date, and person.
    • Note any appeal/hearing deadline in bold on the letter.

  2. Decide quickly whether to request a hearing.

    • If the reason is a mandatory federal bar (lifetime sex offender registry or meth in federally assisted housing), appeals are rarely successful.
    • If the reason is “risk to other residents,” “drug-related criminal activity,” or similar, you may be able to provide context or updated information.

  3. Request the hearing in writing before the deadline.

    • Use the instructions in the letter (mail, email, drop-off).
    • State that you are requesting an informal hearing regarding your denial and include your name, contact information, and application or client number.

  4. Gather supporting information, such as:

    • Court records showing charges reduced or dismissed.
    • Proof that the conviction is older than the PHA’s look-back period, if applicable.
    • Documents of treatment, counseling, job stability, or community support.

What to expect next:

  • The PHA schedules a hearing with a hearing officer (not usually the original decision-maker).
  • You can tell your side, present documents, and sometimes bring an advocate or attorney.
  • The hearing officer issues a written decision later; it might uphold or reverse the denial.

Avoid Mistakes and Section 8 Scams

Because Section 8 involves rent help and waitlists, it is frequently targeted by scams.

Common snags (and quick fixes)

  • Being asked to pay a fee to get on a “priority list” → Section 8 waiting lists are free; pay only standard application fees (if any) directly to the housing authority, not a third party.
  • Completing an application on a site that is not your local PHA or HUD → Always check that the site is a government or officially named housing authority before entering personal details.
  • Ignoring mail from the PHA → Missing a response deadline can remove you from the list; if you move, update your address with the PHA in writing.

For official general information about federal housing programs, you can review HUD’s materials on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development website at hud.gov.

Quick Summary: Felonies and Section 8

  • Not all felonies bar you from Section 8, but some (like lifetime sex-offender registration and meth manufacturing in assisted housing) usually do.
  • PHAs typically look at type of crime, how recent it is, and current risk.
  • Check your local PHA’s written policy or Administrative Plan to see how criminal records are treated.
  • Prepare documents showing case outcomes, completion of supervision, and any rehabilitation efforts.
  • If denied, you often have a right to an informal hearing, but you must request it by the stated deadline.
  • Never pay unofficial fees or use unverified websites; only work with your real local housing authority or HUD-linked resources.

Once you know your local PHA’s rules and have gathered your records, your next step is to contact that housing authority, review their criminal history policy, and decide whether to apply or request a hearing if you’ve already been denied.