Can This Tool Help You Find Section 8 Subsidized Housing?

You may have heard of Section 8 in the past, and you are probably aware that the government program provides housing assistance. You may have never seen a Section 8 property, however, and you may be wondering what it’s like.

With the HUD Resource Locator, you can find affordable housing opportunities that participate in Section 8 near you. Best of all, you don’t have to leave the comfort of your couch to do it.

The HUD Resource Locator

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is in charge of the Section 8 or Housing Choice Voucher Program. As such, it created the HUD Resource Locator to give users a one-stop-shop for affordable housing information.

Here’s a glimpse into how this handy housing tool works.

How to Use the HUD Resource Locator to Find Section 8 Housing

To start searching for Section 8 properties, visit the HUD Resource Locator by going here. At first, a map of the U.S. will pop up. Then you’ll see the main menu appear.

The main menu offers a variety of resources on housing. For this article, we’ll focus on the first one, which is “Find Affordable Housing Opportunities Near Me.”

Once you click on that option, you’ll see a map of your current location. The site uses Garmin GPS coordinates for this feature, so you can start searching for Section 8 properties without even having to enter an address.

Depending on where you currently are, you may see several icons on the map. Each represents a different type of housing or resource related to the HUD. For instance, you may see Public Housing Authorities (PHAs). These are what you’ll use to apply for Section 8 housing. They can also help you learn more about the Housing Choice Voucher program and direct you to other resources for putting a roof over your head.

On your map, you may also see Assisted Multifamily Properties. Click on their icon, and you’ll find out more about the property. For instance, it could be a property that’s for low income (Section 8), elderly, and special needs. You’ll see more info about the property, such as its address and contact info so you can learn more.

You can also view how many affordable units are in the property and their layout. For example, one property could contain several efficiencies, and 1-bedroom units. Another may house only 5-bedroom units. This information is crucial, as it can give you a better idea of whether or not that property fits your family’s needs.

Beneath the property breakdown, you’ll also see a description of the programs that pertain to it. If it’s Section 202, that’s like Section 8, but for seniors. If it’s subsidized housing, that pertains more to the Section 8 program, where you pay 30 percent of your income towards rent and utilities.

If you don’t want to live where you’re currently located, enter your desired location at the top of the tool to see what’s available there. Once you see the possibilities, contact your PHA to get started with your application for subsidized housing.