Housing
How to apply for Section 8 housing assistance
Section 8 — officially the Housing Choice Voucher Program — is a federal rental assistance program that helps low-income households afford private market housing. Demand far exceeds supply, and waitlists in most cities are years long.
Section 8 is administered by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs). Eligibility rules, waitlist lengths, and application windows vary by PHA. Many PHAs only open their waitlists for limited periods when they can accept new applicants.
Last reviewed: June 5, 2026
Steps
Find your local Public Housing Authority (PHA)
Section 8 vouchers are issued by local PHAs. HUD maintains a directory of all PHAs at hud.gov. You can apply to any PHA — you are not limited to your current city — though you must eventually find housing in the PHA's area.
Check if the waitlist is open
Most PHAs have waitlists that are closed to new applicants. Contact your local PHA directly or check their website to find out if they are currently accepting applications. Sign up for notifications if the waitlist is closed.
Tip: Apply to multiple PHAs in different cities or counties to improve your chances. Some suburban or rural PHAs have shorter waitlists than major cities.
Submit your application when the waitlist opens
When a PHA opens its waitlist, the application window is often brief — days to weeks. Apply immediately. Provide household composition, income, and current housing situation. No documents are typically required at this stage.
Wait for your name to be called
Waitlists are generally processed in order, though PHAs are required to give preference to certain groups (homeless families, veterans, victims of domestic violence, and others depending on local policy). Waitlists in high-cost areas can be 5–10+ years long.
Complete eligibility verification when contacted
When your name reaches the top of the waitlist, the PHA will contact you to verify eligibility — income, household size, citizenship/immigration status, and rental history. At this stage you'll need documentation.
Find a landlord who accepts Section 8
After receiving a voucher, you have a limited time (typically 60–120 days) to find a rental unit. The unit must meet HUD's housing quality standards and the landlord must agree to participate in the program.
Tip: Websites like GoSection8.com and AffordableHousing.com list units that accept housing vouchers.