Section 8 Basics You Need To Know

If so, here are some basics you should know about how the program works.

What can a Housing Choice Voucher do for you? Make rent affordable by paying a portion of your monthly payment to the landlord. Once that’s established, you’ll find it much easier to save money, pay your other bills on time, and start building a solid financial future.

To prep you for the Section 8 process before you apply for your voucher, here are some things to keep in mind:

Vouchers:

1. Your Housing Choice Voucher serves as an agreement between you and the Public Housing Agency (PHA).
2. When you sign the voucher, you agree to abide by Section 8 rules.
3. As long as you follow Section 8 rules, the PHA will help pay for part of your rent by giving it directly to your landlord each month.
4. To use your voucher, you will need to find a home that meets Section 8’s standards within a specified time limit.
5. You may apply for an extension of the time limit before the voucher expires if you’re having a hard time finding a suitable home.
6. Failure to find a home in time will lead to expiration and your voucher being given to someone else on the Section 8 waiting list.
7. If you lose your voucher due to not finding a home, you will have to re-apply when the waiting list reopens.
8. Since Section 8 waiting lists can last years due to high demand for vouchers, finding a home quickly is essential.

Finding a Home:

1. Your voucher can be used according to your PHA’s rules. They will let you know the areas where it can be applied before searching for a home. You can transfer a Housing Choice Voucher to another location if you need to move. This can be done once your initial lease is fulfilled.
2. To transfer a voucher, you will have to be in good standing with the PHA and your landlord.
3. It may be possible to use your voucher where you currently live, if the home passes Section 8 inspection and meets affordability requirements. Such a situation is formally referred to as “leasing in place.”
4. A Section 8 voucher gives you the freedom to choose between various properties, such as townhomes, apartments, and single-family homes. You are not required to live in public housing.
5. Since you get to pick the property where you want to use your voucher, be sure that you can afford your portion of the rent. The property should be in good condition, in a safe neighborhood, near good schools, close to shopping and public transportation, etc.
6. You will likely have to complete an application with the landlord. They may charge you for this since screening applicants is an added expense.
7. If accepted by the landlord, don’t be surprised if they ask for a deposit. As with regular rental agreements, landlords require deposits to protect their properties. The deposit must be reasonable, however. They cannot charge you a higher deposit just because you are a Section 8 participant. You will have to pay the deposit out of your own pocket. If you cannot, you may seek Section 8 security deposit assistance.