How to Get Public Assistance for Housing

You can search for your own apartment with Section 8 vouchers.

If you can't afford housing, public assistance can help you get into a house or apartment. If you want to apply for public assistance for housing, you have a couple of ways to approach your search: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, assists apartment owners in offering reduced rents to needy tenants with Section 8 vouchers, and local public housing agencies offer affordable apartments to the elderly, low-income families and persons with disabilities through public housing projects.

Instructions

HUD Subsidized Housing

1. Click the "Affordable Apartment Search" link under "Resources" on the HUD.gov website.

2. Select your state from the drop down menu and then click the "Next" button.

3. Select a city from the drop down menu, check the appropriate "number of bedrooms" box and then click "next."

4. Contact the apartment manager at each individual location listed in the results; the application procedure varies with each apartment.

Public Housing Agencies

1. Click the "Program Offices" tab on the HUD.gov home page; select "Public and Indian Housing," and then choose "Find Rental Assistance" and "Public Housing Assistance."

2. Click your state on the map.

3. Find your city in the listing and call the public housing agency number listed for your city. The public housing agency in your area will direct you toward the correct application for your locality. The application will require you to list your income and assets as well as your rental history and your reason for applying for Section 8 housing. In general, you'll be required to provide proof of income, including pay stubs and tax returns. You may be required to attend an in-person interview.

Tips & Warnings

• Your eligibility for public housing will be determined by your household size and income; in general, your income can't exceed 50 percent of the median income for the particular city or county where you live.

• Most areas for public housing, including housing that accepts section 8 vouchers, have long waiting lists.

References

• HUD: Rental Assistance
• HUD: Housing Choice Vouchers Fact Sheet

Resources

• HUD: Low-rent Apartment Search
• HUD: PHA Contact Information
• HUD: FY Income Limits Documentation System