Section 8 Waiting Lists Opening in Early July 2026
- Author: Aubrey Sipes
- Posted: 2026-07-02
Good news for people looking for housing help! Nine housing authorities across the United States will open their Section 8 waiting lists between June 30 and July 1, 2026.
This is a great chance to apply for rental assistance in several states, including New Jersey, Alabama, Ohio, Minnesota, California, and Kansas.
What Is Section 8?
Section 8 is a government program that helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing. The program offers two main types of assistance:
Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV)
- You can use these vouchers to rent a home of your choice in participating areas
- You can take the voucher with you if you move to a new area
- You typically pay about 30% of your income toward rent, and the voucher covers the rest
Project-Based Vouchers (PBV)
- These vouchers are tied to specific apartment buildings or housing developments
- You don't need to search for housing on your own
- Wait times are often shorter than Housing Choice Vouchers
Waiting Lists Opening Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Elizabeth Housing Authority (New Jersey)
- Program: Housing Choice Voucher
- Location: Elizabeth, NJ (Union County, near Newark)
- How to Apply: Online at hacenj.com
- What to Know: This is a busy area near a major city, so expect high demand. Apply early in the day.
Housing Authority of the Town of Berry (Alabama)
- Program: Housing Choice Voucher
- Location: Berry, AL (small town in northwest Alabama)
- How to Apply: Contact the housing authority directly (no website available)
- What to Know: Call the housing authority before June 30 to find out how to apply.
Waiting Lists Opening Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Seven housing authorities across six states will open their waiting lists on this day. This is a big opportunity!
Ohio (2 Housing Authorities)
Fayette Metropolitan Housing Authority
- Program: Housing Choice Voucher
- Location: Fayette County (southern Ohio, between Columbus and Cincinnati)
- How to Apply: Online
Highland Metropolitan Housing Authority
- Program: Housing Choice Voucher AND Project-Based Voucher (both available)
- Location: Highland County (southeastern Ohio)
- How to Apply: Online
- What to Know: This is a special opportunity because you can apply for both programs at the same time, which increases your chances of getting help.
Minnesota
Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Barnesville
- Program: Housing Choice Voucher
- Location: Barnesville, MN (small town in west-central Minnesota)
- How to Apply: Contact the housing authority directly (no website available)
- What to Know: Call ahead to find out how to apply. Smaller towns often have less competition.
California (2 Housing Authorities)
Housing Authority of the County of San Diego
- Program: Project-Based Voucher
- Location: San Diego County (Southern California)
- How to Apply: Online
- What to Know: San Diego has opened its waiting list multiple times in 2026. This is a high-demand area, so apply early.
Housing Authority of the City of Madera
- Program: Housing Choice Voucher
- Location: Madera, CA (Central California, between Fresno and Yosemite)
- How to Apply: Online
Kansas
Wichita Housing Authority
- Program: Housing Choice Voucher
- Location: Wichita, KS (Kansas's largest city)
- How to Apply: Online
- What to Know: Wichita is a major city with many job opportunities. Expect high demand, so apply early.
Documents You Will Need
Have these documents ready before you apply:
For All Applicants
- Identification: Photo ID, Social Security cards, and birth certificates for everyone in your household
- Proof of Income: Pay stubs (from the past 4-6 weeks), benefit statements (Social Security, disability, unemployment, etc.), and bank statements (past 2-3 months)
- Household Information: Names and details for everyone who will live with you, proof of relationships (like marriage or birth certificates), and custody documents if applicable
- Contact Information: Your current address, phone number, email, and an emergency contact
Additional Documents for Housing Choice Vouchers
- Contact information for your current and past landlords (going back 2-3 years)
Additional Documents for Project-Based Vouchers
- Your preferred property locations
- The number of bedrooms you need
- Any accessibility needs you may have
Tips for Applying
Before the Opening Date
- Gather your documents now. Don't wait until the last minute.
- Contact housing authorities without websites. Berry, AL and Barnesville, MN do not have websites. Call them this week to find out how to apply.
- Check application requirements. Each housing authority may have slightly different rules.
On the Opening Date
- Apply early in the day. Popular areas like Wichita, San Diego, and Elizabeth will likely have many applicants.
- Apply to multiple locations. You can apply to more than one housing authority to increase your chances.
- Double-check your application. Make sure all information is correct and complete.
Special Opportunities
- Highland County, Ohio is offering both Housing Choice Vouchers and Project-Based Vouchers. Apply for both to double your chances.
- Ohio applicants can apply to both Fayette County and Highland County since they are separate waiting lists.
- Smaller towns like Berry, AL and Barnesville, MN may have less competition than larger cities.
Quick Reference Guide
| Date | Location | Program | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 30 | Elizabeth, NJ | Housing Choice Voucher | Online (hacenj.com) |
| June 30 | Berry, AL | Housing Choice Voucher | Call housing authority |
| July 1 | Fayette County, OH | Housing Choice Voucher | Online |
| July 1 | Highland County, OH | Housing Choice Voucher + Project-Based Voucher | Online |
| July 1 | Barnesville, MN | Housing Choice Voucher | Call housing authority |
| July 1 | San Diego County, CA | Project-Based Voucher | Online |
| July 1 | Madera, CA | Housing Choice Voucher | Online |
| July 1 | Wichita, KS | Housing Choice Voucher | Online |
Final Reminders
- Act quickly. Section 8 waiting lists often close within days or even hours.
- Contact housing authorities without websites this week. You need time to find out their application process.
- Keep copies of everything you submit. This will help if there are any questions later.
- Be patient. Even after you apply, it may take months or years to receive assistance due to high demand.
Good luck with your applications!
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