How To Apply for Section 8: Step‑by‑Step Guide to the PHA Process

The Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) helps eligible low‑income households pay for rental housing in the private market. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), but it is run locally by Public Housing Agencies (PHAs).

This guide explains how to apply for Section 8, what to expect from the PHA process, and how to move forward using official channels. HowToGetAssistance.org is an informational website only—it does not accept applications, process vouchers, or manage waiting lists.

What Is Section 8 and How Does It Work?

The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program, often called Section 8, is a rental assistance program that:

• Helps pay part of your monthly rent directly to a landlord.
• Lets you choose qualified housing in the private market, such as apartments, houses, or townhomes.
• Is managed by local Public Housing Agencies (PHAs), not by this website.

Typically, you pay about 30% of your adjusted monthly income toward rent and utilities, and the voucher covers the rest (up to a limit set by the PHA).

Each PHA sets its own rules within federal guidelines, so exact steps, forms, and timelines can vary by city or county.

Who Typically Qualifies for Section 8?

Eligibility for Section 8 is based on several main factors:

1. Income Limits

Your household income usually must be:

• Very low income for your area (often around 50% of the Area Median Income or less), and
• Within the income limits for your household size and county or metro area.

PHAs use HUD’s income guidelines, but limits differ by location. To see if you’re likely within range, you can:

• Contact your local PHA by phone or in person and ask for the current income limits.
• Check the official HUD or local housing authority website for posted income charts.

2. Citizenship or Eligible Immigration Status

Typically, Section 8 requires:

• At least one household member with U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status.
• Non‑eligible members may still live in the home, but benefits are prorated based on eligible members only.

PHAs often verify status using Social Security numbers and immigration documents.

3. Household Composition and Background

PHAs usually review:

• Household size and relationships (for bedroom size and payment standards).
• Rental history, including serious lease violations or unpaid rent to PHAs.
• Criminal background, focusing especially on:
  • Certain drug‑related offenses,
  • Violent crimes, and
  • Lifetime sex offender registration (which is a federal disqualifier).

Policies vary by PHA, so it’s worth asking your local office how they handle specific issues.

4. Local Preferences

When waiting lists are long, PHAs often give priority (called preferences) to applicants such as:

• Homeless or at risk of homelessness
• Elderly (usually 62+)
• People with disabilities
• Veterans
• Households displaced by natural disasters or government action
• Local residents or people who work or go to school in the area

Having a preference does not guarantee approval, but it can move you higher on the waiting list.

Step‑by‑Step: How to Apply for Section 8 Through Your PHA

The PHA process generally follows these stages:

1. Find your local PHA and check if the waiting list is open.
2. Submit a pre‑application (or full application if required).
3. Wait for processing and placement on the waiting list.
4. Respond to any update or “wait list check‑in” requests.
5. Complete a full eligibility interview and provide documents when your name comes up.
6. Receive your voucher (if approved) and attend a briefing.
7. Search for a unit and complete the lease + inspection steps.

Details and order can vary, but this is the typical flow.

How to Find the Correct PHA and Official Application Channel

Section 8 is not applied for at the federal level by individuals. You must go through the PHA that serves the city or county where you want to live.

To find your correct PHA:

• Look for:
  • Your city’s housing authority (e.g., “City of ___ Housing Authority”),
  • Your county housing authority,
  • Or the state housing agency if there is no local office.
• Confirm you are on an official government website or phone line:
  • Website addresses usually end in “.gov” or belong to clearly identified housing authorities.
  • Phone numbers and office addresses are typically listed on city, county, or state government sites.

If you’re unsure, you can:

• Call 211 (in many areas) and ask for help finding your local public housing agency.
• Ask at a local social services office, community action agency, or legal aid office which PHA serves your area.

Common Ways PHAs Accept Section 8 Applications

PHAs differ, but they typically use one or more of these application methods:

Always confirm directly with your PHA how they want you to apply. This website cannot process or forward your application.

What Information and Documents to Gather Before You Apply

Every PHA has its own forms, but they usually ask for the same core information. Having this ready can help prevent delays.

Basic Information You’ll Likely Need

• Full names of all household members
• Dates of birth
• Social Security numbers (if any household members have them)
• Current address (or description if you’re homeless)
• Phone number and/or email for contact
• Current housing situation (renting, staying with friends/family, shelter, etc.)

Commonly Requested Documents

You often don’t need every document at the first step, but you will usually need them before final approval:

Identity & Status

• Photo ID for adults (state ID, driver’s license, or other government ID)
• Social Security cards for household members with SSNs
• Birth certificates for children
• Citizenship or immigration documents, such as:
  • U.S. passport, naturalization papers, or birth certificate
  • Permanent Resident Card
  • Other DHS/USCIS documentation, as applicable

Income & Assets

• Pay stubs (often last 4–8 weeks)
• Employer letters stating wages and hours
• Benefits award letters, such as:
  • Social Security, SSI, SSDI
  • Unemployment benefits
  • TANF or cash assistance
  • Veterans benefits
• Pension or retirement income statements
• Proof of child support or alimony (court orders or payment history)
• Bank statements (checking, savings, and sometimes prepaid card accounts)
• Documentation for self‑employment income, such as tax returns or ledgers

Expenses That May Affect Eligibility

• Childcare costs (receipts, provider statements)
• Medical expenses for elderly or disabled households (bills, pharmacy printouts)
• Disability‑related expenses (assistive services, equipment, etc.), if applicable

Housing Situation

• Current lease or rental agreement (if you have one)
• Any eviction notices or documentation of unsafe housing, if relevant
• Letter or documentation from shelter, if currently staying there

If you don’t have a specific document, ask your PHA what alternative proofs they will accept.

Step 1: Check If the Section 8 Waiting List Is Open

Many PHAs keep their Section 8 waiting list closed when it’s full, then reopen it for a short period (sometimes just a few days or weeks).

To check:

1. Visit your local PHA’s official website, or
2. Call the PHA office and ask:
   • “Is your Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) waiting list currently open?”
   • “How do I apply when it opens?”

If the list is open, they will tell you how to submit a pre‑application or full application.

If the list is closed, ask:

• When they expect it to reopen, and
• How they announce openings (website, local newspapers, social media, flyers, etc.).

You can often apply to more than one PHA, especially if you may be willing to live in different areas.

Step 2: Submit the Pre‑Application (or Initial Application)

When the list opens, PHAs typically ask for a shorter pre‑application. This is not full approval; it’s mainly to:

• Collect basic information,
• Check initial eligibility, and
• Place you on the waiting list if you qualify.

What You’ll Typically Need to Provide on the Pre‑Application

• Names, birthdates, and Social Security numbers (if any) for all household members
• Contact information (mailing address, phone, email)
• Total household income and sources
• Whether anyone in the household is:
  • Elderly
  • A person with a disability
  • A veteran
• Current housing situation and any local preference you may qualify for (e.g., homeless, displaced, etc.)

Some PHAs require supporting documents at this stage; others wait until you’re pulled from the waiting list.

⚠️ Important:
Submit only one application per household per PHA, unless the PHA specifically allows multiple. Duplicate applications can sometimes be disqualified.

Step 3: Waiting List Placement and Confirmation

If your pre‑application passes basic checks and the list is open, you’re usually:

• Placed on the waiting list, and
• Given a confirmation number, receipt, or letter.

Some PHAs use a lottery system when they receive more applications than available spaces:

• They randomly select a set number of applicants for the waiting list.
• Not everyone who applies is placed on the list.

How Long Will You Wait?

Wait times can vary widely:

• Months in areas with more vouchers or less demand
• Several years in high‑cost, high‑demand areas

Ask your PHA:

• Average waiting time for a voucher
• How they update the waiting list (email, mail, online portal)

Keep your contact information updated with the PHA at all times. If they can’t reach you, you can be removed from the list.

Step 4: Respond to Waiting List Updates and Requests

PHAs often require you to confirm you’re still interested every so often, which may include:

• Returning a “wait list update” form,
• Logging into an online portal to click a confirmation button, or
• Calling or mailing back a response card.

If you miss these updates:

• You might be dropped from the waiting list, and
• Have to reapply when it opens again.

To avoid problems:

• Open all mail from your PHA immediately.
• Watch your email (including spam/junk folders) if they contact you that way.
• Inform the PHA promptly if your phone, email, or mailing address changes.

Step 5: Full Eligibility Interview and Document Review

When your name rises near the top of the waiting list, your PHA usually:

• Schedules a full eligibility interview, and/or
• Sends you a packet of forms requesting detailed information and documents.

What Happens During the Interview

During this step, PHAs typically:

• Verify identity and household composition,
• Review all income and assets,
• Confirm citizenship or eligible immigration status, and
• Ask about any criminal background or previous issues with housing authorities.

They may ask you to sign:

• Consent forms allowing them to verify income with employers or agencies,
• Releases for criminal background checks, and
• Authorization to obtain benefit records (e.g., Social Security).

It’s crucial to:

• Answer truthfully, and
• Provide complete and accurate information.

Submitting false information can lead to denial, termination of assistance, and in some cases legal consequences.

Step 6: Approval, Voucher Issuance, and Briefing

If you’re found eligible, the PHA typically:

1. Approves you for a Housing Choice Voucher.
2. Invites you to a briefing session (in person, video, or detailed packet).
3. Issues your voucher, which includes:
   • The unit size you qualify for (number of bedrooms),
   • The time frame in which you must find housing, and
   • Basic program rules and your responsibilities.

What Is Covered in the Voucher Briefing

You’ll usually learn:

• How much rent you’re expected to pay vs. what the PHA will pay.
• Payment standards (maximum amounts the PHA will base assistance on).
• Rules about who can live with you and adding household members.
• Requirements that the unit:
  • Pass a Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection, and
  • Have a reasonable rent based on the local market.

You may need to sign forms acknowledging that you understand the program rules.

Step 7: Finding a Landlord and Getting the Unit Approved

After receiving your voucher, you typically have a set time limit (often 60–120 days, though extensions are sometimes available) to:

1. Search for a rental unit that:
   • Meets HQS inspection standards, and
   • Is within rent limits for your voucher.
2. Ask the landlord if they are willing to participate in the Section 8 program.
3. Have the landlord fill out a Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) or similar form and submit it to the PHA.
4. Allow the PHA to:
   • Inspect the unit,
   • Review the proposed rent amount, and
   • Approve or deny the unit for your voucher.

Once the unit and rent are approved:

• You sign a lease with the landlord.
• The landlord signs a Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) contract with the PHA.
• You begin paying your portion of the rent, and the PHA begins paying the subsidy portion directly to the landlord.

Common Reasons for Delays or Denials

Applications and vouchers can be delayed, denied, or terminated for many reasons. Some common issues include:

• Incomplete applications or missing signatures
• Not responding to letters, emails, or calls from the PHA
• Contact information not updated, causing missed notices
• Income too high for local limits
• Not providing required verification documents
• Certain criminal convictions, especially:
  • Drug‑related activity in the last specified period (rules vary)
  • Violent criminal activity
  • Lifetime sex offender registration (federal disqualifier)
• Owing money to a PHA from previous public housing or voucher programs
• Serious lease violations in prior subsidized housing

If you’re unsure why you were denied, you can usually request an explanation in writing from the PHA.

How Appeals and Informal Hearings Usually Work

If your application or voucher is denied, reduced, or terminated, you generally have the right to request an informal review or hearing.

Typical steps:

1. Read the denial or termination notice carefully.
   It should explain:

   • The reason for the decision
   • How to request a hearing
   • The deadline for requesting it

2. Submit a written request for an informal hearing or review by the deadline.
   Follow the instructions given by the PHA (mail, fax, drop‑off, or portal).

3. Prepare for the hearing:

   • Gather documents that support your case (income records, court documents, letters, etc.).
   • Consider getting help from legal aid, a tenant advocacy group, or a social service agency.

4. Attend the hearing:

   • A hearing officer (not the original decision‑maker) listens to both sides.
   • You can present information, ask questions, and respond to the PHA’s evidence.

5. Receive the decision in writing.
   The letter should state whether the decision is upheld, changed, or reversed.

Rules for appeals and hearings can differ by PHA, so always follow the instructions in your specific notice.

If You Don’t Qualify or The Wait Is Too Long: Alternatives to Consider

If you’re ineligible, denied, or facing a very long wait for Section 8, you may still have other options. Availability depends on your area.

Potential alternatives include:

• Public Housing
  Owned and managed by PHAs, with income‑based rent. Application is usually separate from Section 8.

• Project‑Based Voucher or Subsidized Properties
  The subsidy stays with the building, not the tenant. Ask your PHA for a list of subsidized or project‑based properties in your area.

• State or Local Rental Assistance Programs
  Some states, counties, and cities run their own rental help or eviction prevention programs.

• Emergency or Homelessness Prevention Services

  • Emergency shelters and transitional housing
  • Rapid rehousing programs
  • Rent and utility assistance through nonprofits, faith‑based groups, or community action agencies

• 211 and Local Resource Lines
  In many areas, dialing 211 connects you with a resource specialist who can identify local rental assistance, legal aid, and housing counseling options.

• Legal Aid and Tenant Advocacy Groups
  These organizations can sometimes help with:

  • Eviction defense
  • Landlord disputes
  • Understanding your rights and options as a renter

How to Make Sure You’re Using Official and Safe Channels

Because Section 8 is in high demand, scams are common. To protect yourself:

Warning Signs of Potential Scams

• Someone asking you to pay a fee to get on the waiting list
  (PHAs generally do not charge to apply or be placed on the list.)
• A website or person promising to “guarantee approval” or “move you to the top of the list” for a fee
• Requests to send money via gift cards, wire transfers, or payment apps in exchange for “faster processing”
• Websites that look unofficial, lack any connection to a city/county/state, or don’t clearly list a government entity

How to Verify You’re on an Official Channel

• Confirm the name of the PHA (e.g., “_____ Housing Authority” or “_____ Housing Department”).
• Check that:
  • The website is linked from a city, county, or state government site, or
  • The address and phone number match information from local government offices.
• Call the PHA using a number obtained from:
  • A city or county government directory, or
  • In‑person information from a local public office or social services agency.

If you’re uncertain, ask a trusted social worker, legal aid office, or housing counselor to help verify before you submit personal information.

By understanding how the PHA Section 8 application process works—from eligibility and waiting lists to interviews, approval, and unit selection—you can better prepare to move through each step via your local housing authority’s official channels.