Can a Single Person Qualify for Section 8?

Yes. A single person can qualify for Section 8 (Housing Choice Vouchers) if they meet the program’s income and other eligibility rules; there is no requirement to have children or a family.

HowToGetAssistance.org is an informational site only; you must use official government offices or portals to apply, submit documents, or check your status.

Because Section 8 is run by local Public Housing Agencies (PHAs), rules and waiting list practices vary by city/county, so you’ll always need to confirm details with the specific PHA that serves your area.

Quick Summary: Single People & Section 8

Single adults are eligible to apply for Section 8.
Key test: your income must usually be low or very low for your area.
Criminal background, immigration status, and past rental history can affect eligibility.
You apply through your local Public Housing Agency (PHA), not a national office.
Many PHAs have long waitlists or closed lists; timing depends on your area.
Never pay anyone who claims they can “guarantee” you a voucher or faster approval.
Best next step: find your local PHA and check if its Section 8 waitlist is open.

How Section 8 Works for a Single Person

Section 8 (Housing Choice Voucher Program) helps low-income households pay part of their rent in the private market. The program pays a portion of the rent directly to the landlord, and you pay the rest.

For a single person, the core rules are very similar to families: income limits, background checks, and local preferences usually determine if you qualify and how soon you might receive help.

Terms to know (plain language):

PHA (Public Housing Agency): Local office that runs vouchers in your area.
Housing Choice Voucher: The Section 8 benefit that helps pay rent to a private landlord.
Income limit: Maximum income you can have and still be eligible.
Waiting list: A line of applicants; many PHAs keep lists for months or years.

Does Section 8 Apply to a Single Person Like Me?

Single adults can typically qualify if they meet all of these basic conditions:

Income is within local limits.
- Section 8 uses Area Median Income (AMI).
- Single-person income limits are lower than for larger households.
- You typically must be “very low income” (about 50% of AMI), and PHAs often must reserve many vouchers for “extremely low income” (about 30% of AMI) households.
- Exact dollar amounts differ by metro area; a low income in a high-cost city can still be above the limit, so you must check your local chart.
Household size is one person.
- You apply as a one-person household unless you legally share income and housing with someone else (for example, spouse or dependent).
- Your voucher size (how many bedrooms you’re approved for) is typically studio or one-bedroom for a single adult.
Citizenship/immigration status.
- Section 8 typically requires that at least one household member have eligible immigration status (U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen).
- As a single person, that means you must meet the status requirement or you generally won’t qualify.
Criminal background and rental history.
- PHAs commonly deny assistance for certain serious offenses (for example, lifetime sex offender registration or certain drug-related activity).
- Past evictions for program violations, unpaid rent to previous public housing, or fraud related to housing assistance can also cause denial or repayment requirements.
Local preferences and priorities.
- Many PHAs use “preferences” to move some applicants up the waiting list:
  - People who are homeless
  - People displaced by government action or disaster
  - Victims of domestic violence
  - Veterans or local workers (in some areas)
- Being single does not disqualify you, but you might wait longer if you do not meet any local preference category.

To see income limits and PHAs for your area, you can use HUD’s PHA contact tool on the official HUD website by searching for “HUD local public housing agencies.”

What You’ll Need Ready Before You Contact a PHA

You cannot usually complete a full Section 8 application in one call, but having key details ready helps:

Proof of identity: Driver’s license, state ID, passport, or other government-issued ID.
Social Security number (if you have one) and documentation.
Income details: Recent pay stubs, benefit award letters (SSI, SSDI, unemployment, VA), or self-employment information.
Current housing situation: Your current address, rent amount, and landlord contact if applicable.
Immigration documents if you are a non-citizen with eligible status (e.g., green card).

Common snags (and quick fixes):

Applications often get delayed when people leave income sections blank; list all income sources, even small or irregular ones.
People sometimes give outdated phone numbers or email, then miss appointment calls or notices; double-check your contact info.
If you lack a document, PHAs often accept temporary verification (like a letter from an employer) while you work on getting official records—ask what they will accept.

Your Next Steps as a Single Person Seeking Section 8

1. Confirm your local PHA and whether it runs Section 8

Search for your local Public Housing Agency.
- You can find PHAs through HUD’s official “Public Housing Agency contact information” tool on hud.gov.
- Some areas have multiple PHAs (city and county); check each, because only some may have open Section 8 waiting lists.
Check if the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher list is open.
- Many PHAs keep the list closed when it gets too long.
- Some only open it for brief application periods and may use lotteries to select who joins the list.

What to expect next: If the list is open, you can usually submit a pre-application online, by mail, or in person, depending on the PHA’s process.

2. Complete the pre-application

Fill out the pre-application accurately.
- Provide your full legal name, contact information, Social Security number (if applicable), and income information.
- Mark your household size as one (1) person unless the PHA specifically instructs otherwise.
Note any preference categories honestly.
- If you meet a preference (homeless, displaced, veteran, etc.), follow directions and attach proof if requested.
- Never claim a preference you cannot document; PHAs typically verify.

What to expect next: The PHA typically sends a confirmation that you are on the waiting list, or an update if you were not selected in a lottery. This does not mean you’re approved for a voucher yet.

3. Waitlist period and full eligibility review

Update your contact information whenever it changes.
- Many people are removed from waiting lists simply because the PHA mail or email bounces back.
- If you move or change phone numbers, contact the PHA quickly.
Respond promptly to letters or emails.
- When your name comes up on the list, the PHA will typically schedule an eligibility interview.
- At that time, they may request official documents to prove income, identity, and immigration status.

What to expect next: After your full eligibility is reviewed, the PHA will either approve you for a voucher, deny your application (with a reason and appeal rights), or place you back in pending status if more information is needed. No one can predict your wait time; it can range from months to years depending on your area and preferences.

Avoid Mistakes and Scam Warnings

Because Section 8 involves money and housing, scams are common, especially online.

Never pay a fee to apply for Section 8 or to be placed on a PHA waiting list; legitimate PHAs do not charge application or list fees.
Be cautious of websites or individuals claiming to “guarantee a voucher” or “move you to the top of the list” for a fee—those are almost always scams.
Always check that you are on an official site (usually ending in .gov or an official housing authority domain) before entering personal information.
If you call a number you find online, confirm the name of the public housing agency and compare it with what appears on HUD’s official PHA directory.
Do not share your Social Security number, bank details, or ID photos through social media messages or unverified apps.

A simple phone script if you’re unsure you’ve reached the right office:
“Hi, I’m calling to ask if this is the Public Housing Agency that manages Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers for [your city/county]. I’m a single person interested in applying—can you tell me if your waiting list is currently open and where the official application is posted?”

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

If your local PHA’s Section 8 list is closed or the wait is very long, there are usually other housing assistance paths to explore:

Public housing units: Some PHAs maintain public housing apartments with separate waiting lists that may be shorter.
Project-based Section 8: Instead of a portable voucher, assistance is tied to specific buildings; you may be able to apply directly with those properties.
State or local rental assistance programs: Some states, counties, or cities run their own short-term rental help or shallow subsidy programs, often through housing departments or human services agencies.
211 or local housing hotlines: In many areas, dialing 211 or visiting the official 211 website connects you to local housing and utility assistance referrals.

If this happens → do this:

If your PHA’s Section 8 list is closed → ask if there is a notification list or newsletter you can join to learn when it reopens.
If you are denied → request information about your appeal or informal hearing rights and any deadlines.
If you are experiencing homelessness → ask about emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, or other crisis programs in addition to Section 8.

By confirming your local PHA, checking your income against local limits, gathering basic documents, and using only official websites and phone numbers, a single person can move through the Section 8 process more confidently, even if the wait for help is long.