Lower Your Rent By Learning These Section 8 Basics

Of course, it could, and we’ll show you how to make that happen via a Section 8 voucher that can help you get affordable housing.

How much of your monthly income goes to your landlord? If it’s over 50 percent, don’t feel bad, as many low-income households pay that much in rent each month. Excess rent costs are a big reason why the Section 8 program came about, as it offers rental assistance to families who need it most. Let’s look at some basics about the program and reveal some tips to help you get that affordable housing you desire.

Section 8 Basics And Tips To Get Affordable Housing Quickly

1. Section 8 is officially referred to as the Housing Choice Voucher program nowadays, so don’t get confused if you hear that name, as both are the same thing.

2. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which distributes the funds to local Public Housing Agencies (PHAs).

3. Your PHA will be your primary contact throughout the Section 8 process. To start your application, contact your PHA by finding them in this list.

4. If you qualify for a Section 8 voucher, that means you will only have to pay 30 percent of your income towards the rent. The government will send the remainder of the rent directly to your landlord every month.

5. Basic eligibility requirements for Section 8 include making below a certain income for your area (usually less than 50 percent of the area median income), being a U.S. citizen or having eligible immigration status, and not having an extensive eviction or criminal history. Your PHA will let you know what it takes to be eligible in more detail.

6. Once you qualify for a Section 8 voucher, you will be placed on a waiting list. Some claim these lists can take up to 10 years to process, which is why you should apply as soon as possible.

7. You can move up the waitlist due to particular preferences that apply to your situation, such as being homeless, paying over half of your income towards rent, living in substandard housing, and more. Ask your PHA about their waitlist preferences, as they’re essential to speeding up the process.

8. Speaking of speeding up the process, you can do so by contacting as many PHAs as possible in your city, county, and state.

9. To expand your opportunities, think of places where you could move. That lets you contact even more PHAs that could process your voucher application quicker.

10. Don’t stick to a single waitlist. Some are longer than others due to an imbalance in voucher supply and demand. Since big cities can have as many as 50 waitlists and smaller cities may have around 10, don’t be afraid to apply to as many as you can.

11. Contact affordable housing buildings directly if you can’t wait for a Section 8 voucher. You can make a list of contacts by asking your PHA for info on such buildings, doing a Google search for “affordable housing,” or using this HUD map. Once you make your list, start making calls or sending emails and ask if they offer units that charge 30 percent of income for rent. If so, that means you can enjoy the low-cost benefits of a voucher without having one.