Navigating the Online Application Process for Section 8 Housing
This is the full name of section 8 housing, which is a federal housing assistance program for low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled that helps them rent or lease reasonably priced, modest, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. It is overseen at the local level by Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) and funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Through the program, housing vouchers help pay for a portion of a tenant's rent; the rest of the rent is based on tenant income.
The Process of Applying Online
While the online application process of section 8 housing may seem complicated, it really does not have to be, if you follow the correct steps. Eligibility is the first step, and this is almost entirely determined by income level. Typically, no family income can exceed 50 percent of the median for the county or metropolitan area where it decides to reside. HUD gives income limits by geographical area and person type1.
If eligible, applicants will have to find and apply at the PHA in their area. Numerous PHAs can be applied to online via their website. Applicants should prepare documentation in advance (typically income verification, Social Security numbers for all household members, and other IDs). The application will need explicit information about the financial situation of the family and their needs related to housing.
Waiting Lists and Preferences
Most applicants are put on a waitlist after they apply for an application. Enticing as those subsidies sound, waiting lists do tend to be long, sometimes taking years before a voucher opens up with limited supply and high demand. There are some PHAs who will shut down their waiting lists when they become too long and they will not re-open them to new applications until they either obtain additional vouchers or funding2.
Preferences can also come into play when you are placed on the waiting list at a PHA. For instance, families who are homeless; families in substandard housing; and families paying over 50% of their income in rent might have higher priority, for example. Knowing more about these preferences can help applicants evaluate their opportunity to be assisted sooner.
Benefits and Challenges
The most immediate benefit of the Section 8 program is that, because it makes housing rentals more affordable, more of the low-income households in the program with limited income can pool their limited income and spend most of it on other key and fundamental needs — food, health care, education and skills training. Third, the program is more flexible and allows families to obtain housing in the private market that is best for them4.
But the program also has its challenges. This is obviously not a one size fits all solution, especially if you are homeless and need access to a hotel room or similar immediately as wait times for vouchers can be unbearably long. Additionally, landlords may still be hesitant to accept Section 8 vouchers due to misperceptions on the program, or fear of complex bureaucratic requirements4.
Getting the Most Out of the Application Process
The applicant must keep track of the status of their application and their waiting list position to increase the odds of success. It's good to stay in the loop about local PHA news, too—especially if it has the potential to change your eligibility status, or if there are preferences offered. Applicants may be asked for additional or other documentation, as well.
If you do have any difficulties, local housing advocacy organizations can help. Many of these organizations offer assistance with the application process and some of them will even help you work with PHAs or landlords.
To conclude, the section 8 housing application process can be intimidating, but knowing the process and taking the right initiative can increase the chances of getting assistance effectively. With the right knowledge and resources, applicants can become more adept at traversing its complexities, taking another step toward that well-deserved stability and affordability in housing.