Section 8 Housing: How It Benefits Citizens and What You Need to Know to Apply

• Author: Kelly Cooke
• Posted: 2024-01-24

You may wonder what section 8 housing is and how it can benefit you. The program helps citizens who need affordable housing. It provides financial assistance to those who qualify, making it possible for them to find a place to live within their budget. The government has used it to achieve the housing policy goal of racial and economic integration. Due to the massive number of housing programs, the following information explains Section 8 in detail:

Definition

Section 8 housing is a program established in 1974 to help low-income families, the disabled, and the elderly afford housing. The program, also known as the Housing Choice Voucher Program, operates under local housing authorities through the federal government's funding. It doesn't discriminate against any race, creed, or national origin.

Who Can Apply For Section Eight Housing?

To qualify, your family must meet specific criteria. The first is that your family's income must be below 50% of the median income for the area in which you live. By extension, the size and the earnings of a specific family play a critical role in the application. Your family must also fall into one of the following categories:
- have a disability
- be elderly
- be a single parent
- have a child under the age of 18

It's important to note that section 8 housing is not available to everyone. The program targets those in need; hence, meeting the income requirements is important.

Section 8 Housing Program Application Process

After proving that you may qualify, the next step is to fill out an application. HUD administers the program, so you must go to their website and look for the section eight application. The website will give you a list of different application methods. You can either fill out an online application or pick one from your local housing authority office. HUD recommends the online application because it is faster, but you can use it either way.

There are various application processes, including regular, voucher, and project-based. The regular is for people who want to live in any available section 8 housing, while the voucher application is for people who already have a section 8 voucher from a different housing authority. The project-based application is for people who want to live in a section eight housing project with HUD funding.

After you fill out the application, you must submit it to your local housing authority office. They will then contact you to set up an interview. The interview is a chance for the housing authority to get to know you and your family. They will ask about your current living situation, income, and any other questions they have about your application.

After the interview, the housing authority will review your application and decide. If approved, they will send you a voucher. The voucher is your ticket to section eight housing bearing your name, the address of the housing authority, and your section 8 caseworker's name and phone number.

You can use it to look for housing in any area that accepts the vouchers. Once you find a place, you must contact the program's caseworker to start the process. They will inspect the housing to make sure it meets the needed standards. If it does, you can move in and start paying your portion of the rent.

The Benefits of Section 8 Housing

One of the primary benefits of the Section 8 program is that it allows beneficiaries to afford housing in the private market. Under the program, families can choose to live in any rental unit that meets program requirements, including single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments. Notably, the program is not just a "subsidy" because it provides vital protection for tenants.

For example, property owners must agree not to evict a tenant solely for failing to pay the rent, even if the tenant is behind on payments. In addition, the program requires property owners to maintain their rental units in good repair and meet specific safety standards. If one fails to do so, the local housing authority can withhold payment.

The Section 8 program has been a vital resource for beneficiaries since 1974. The program allows participants to choose a house that meets program requirements. Importantly, it shields the voucher holders from rogue property owners manipulating agreements. Besides, it's a reliable stepping-stone for individuals who dream of owning houses without using expensive private programs.