What Do You Need to Get Section 8 Assistance?
Many families struggle to find and maintain affordable housing. Between the lack of jobs, the current economy and the ever-rising cost of raising a family, more and more Americans are requiring assistance to make ends meet. If you're having trouble keeping a roof over your head, you may qualify for Section 8.
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What is Section 8?
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Section 8 is a federal program that helps provide housing for low-income families. Section 8 assists families in finding safe, low-cost apartments or homes. The renters are responsible for paying a portion of the rent, depending on their income, and the government pays the rest to the owner of the property.
Who Qualfies?
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Applicants for Section 8 housing must be U.S. citizens or legal residents of the United States. You also must be able to document that you have a low household income, typically 50 percent or less of your city's median income.
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How to Apply
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You can apply for Section 8 by contacting your county or city's local housing authority. You will need to fill out an application as well as provide social security numbers for every member of the family. The head of the household will also need to show proof of a driver's license or birth certificate. Since only a portion of rent is covered by the government, you may still be responsible for 30-40 percent of the rent. Therefore, you must have a steady income. If you cannot work for medical reasons or retirement, you can use disability checks, social security checks or child support as an income source.
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