Nearly 2 million people in the United States are assisted by the Housing Choice (Section 8) Voucher program each year. Families apply to the program through their local Public Housing Agency (PHA). After gathering information and applying, eligible families are placed on a wait list before they are able to start receiving benefits.
There are a variety of eligibility requirements associated with the Housing Choice (Section 8) Voucher program, the biggest of which being the household income requirement. Housing Choice (Section 8) Vouchers are reserved for very-low and low-income families. For the income limits in your area, see this page. If your household income falls within these limits, you are likely eligible for Housing Choice (Section 8) Vouchers.
When applying for Housing Choice (Section 8) Vouchers, it’s important to note the long wait times families tend to experience before being accepted into the program. Roughly 6 million families are eligible for the program, yet just 2 million are able to be served each year. Because of this high-demand, families often wait months, even years, to be get a spot in the program. Being accepted and placed on the wait list is the first step in being accepted into the program.