I Want to Get on the Section 8 Housing Authorities List
The federal government has a program to help low-income families get affordable housing. The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program helps low-income, elderly people, and disabled individuals with a subsidy to pay a portion of their rent. The recipient pays 30 percent of his income for rent, and the subsidy covers the remainder of the rent owed to the landlord. If the family or individual has no income, then the subsidy covers the whole rent payment. If you believe you are eligible for Section 8, you should apply right away because the funding is limited and spaces fill up fast.
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Eligibility
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Eligibility for Section 8 is based upon the total yearly income and family size. The families resources and assets are also counted as part of the income requirement.
The family income must be less than 30 percent of the area median income. To be eligible you must be a U.S. citizen or lawful resident, be 18 years of age or older and meet the income restrictions.
Preferences and the Waiting List
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Although the waiting lists for Section 8 can take months or even years, certain conditions take preference over the norm. If any of these situations apply to you, you may be able to get a voucher sooner by being moved to the head of the list: (1) being homeless or living in inadequate housing, (2) paying above 50 percent of your income for rent, or (3) being people who are involuntarily displaced or in emergency situations including victims of domestic violence and people in the witness protection program.
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Application
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In order to receive housing assistance vouchers, an application must be submitted to the local Public Housing Authority. The Housing Authority reviews the information provided and determines eligibility. Once the application is submitted, the Public Housing Agency will call you in for an interview, verify your information and add you to their waiting list. In large cities the waiting list is often very long because there are so many people needing help.
Available Housing
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When your name comes up on the list, the agency will contact you about available housing. There are rules and regulations the agency must follow regarding family size and number of bedrooms. For example, a family of four would be eligible for a two- to three-bedroom apartment or house depending on the age and sex of the children. The normal ratio is two people per bedroom, but only children of the same sex can occupy the same bedroom and children over a certain age require a room of their own. Check with your local PHA for regulations regarding cohabitation.
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References
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