People need housing as a basic need even though they don’t afford it. The reality for the people may be so difficult due to job loss, business shutdown, eviction, loss of houses due to cyclones, hurricanes, and other natural calamities. For this, there is some housing assistance program from the government of the United States of America. Section 8 commonly known as housing choice voucher is helping millions of Americans so that they can have access to safe, clean, healthy, sanitary, and affordable housing.
People must qualify for such assistance programs through income eligibility and other factors. After completing the application process, low-income people may not be issued such vouchers instantly because there are tons of applications. So, there is a waiting list to get such a voucher issued. This waiting list duration may vary according to different housing agencies in different states.
But the reality for the people may be so hard and they desperately seek when they can hear a call from the housing authorities. So there is an issue to seek the number on the section 8 waiting list. So, we are going to discuss such issues and you can also learn how to get priority while you are on the waiting list.
Content Outline
Background Of Section 8
Section 8 is now known as a housing choice voucher and is one of the federally funded programs for assisting with housing for very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled. This housing program has been initiated to make them affordable to decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market and private landlords that accept section 8. As it is named a housing choice voucher, the families may choose and find a unit such as single-family homes, townhomes, or apartments.
Through Section 8, an eligible and qualifying family is issued a housing voucher and must find housing where they may choose. The owner or private landlords also need to agree to rent a house under this program. The housing subsidy under this program is paid to the participating landlords that provide houses as rent to the tenants. The families have to pay 30% as monthly rent from their adjusted gross income and the rest of the actual rent at the market prices is subsidized by the program.
Housing choice voucher is a federal program administered locally by Public housing agencies. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides funds to the Public housing agencies. So whatever the conditions and rules about section 8 may be, there are rental units that must meet minimum standards of health and safety. The PHA also determines this.
Section 8 Eligibility And Application Process
There is a process to get started for section 8 when low-income people are willing to go with such a program. This process is an application process, and one should check out firstly eligibility criteria and then may go with the application for a voucher. The main eligibility comes by income, and it should not exceed 50% of the median income for the county and metropolitan area where the families find and choose to reside. As part of the law, PHA will provide 75 percent of its voucher to applicants who don’t exceed income by 30 percent of the area median income. The median income level may differ according to location, state, and other factors. For this, it is important to check out HUD which publishes such median income levels. In addition to this, family composition, US citizenship, and specified categories of non-citizens who have eligible immigration status are also considered eligibility criteria.
Surely you need to know every detail in section 8 on what explains to you according to your location and then get started for the next step, like the application process. For this, you should contact the local PHA, where you may meet with staff in-person to get information on how to get started. More importantly, you may visit and contact the HUD office according to your location. For any application, you may need to fill up the application form with required and authentic information. You should not provide any information that may be proven false. This can disqualify your application as well.
Section 8 Waiting List
As people need assistance with housing, tons of applications are being dropped daily. On the side of the government, it may not be possible to quickly manage housing assistance through section 8 for every applicant. So there is a waiting list where you may find your name.
But firstly, you have to go apply for section 8 housing assistance with the required and basic information. According to your information, your local PHA will check out such information if you are going to be eligible for housing assistance through section 8. Priority is given to the most devastating situation in the family.
Surely your situation may be different than others and your need to be deemed urgent, and then they may issue such a housing choice voucher. When there is not enough section 8 housing untie for every people who apply, they may be placed on the waiting list. This waiting list may be ended when section 8 housing is available for the people.
In so many cases, the waiting list may be longer based on many factors as priority is given to most emergencies the families. But 25% of section 8 applicants may receive the housing assistance through section 8 they need.
What Number Am I On The Section 8 Waiting List?
After application, getting a housing choice voucher may not be possible quickly, but there may be a waiting list. As lots of applications are coming and availability may be limited. Those with a very tough condition may get a section 8 voucher, but some may see them on the waiting list. The waiting list may be too long, and this may last for years. When your name is on the waiting list, at least you have the chance to get such assistance. For this, it is important to check out the status of your application every few months.
To check the progress of the waiting list, you should contact the section 8 housing authority or the local HUD office you applied to. When you want to know what number you are on the waiting section 8, you should speak with a case manager. You may also request to learn the number of the waiting list from the receptionist. You may need to provide your name, social security number, and address on the application form. More importantly, you should have regular contact and call the housing authority to know the status of what number you are on the waiting list of section 8.
There is another simple option. You can check the progress and status online. There is a waiting list functionality in HUD where you may be allowed to view the status of your online application. For this, you should visit the waitlist check service through waitlistcheck.com. Here you need to provide your birth year and password given by PHA. You can also get to know this process from the case manager and other staff in the housing authority office.
Making a phone call is going to be another way to check your section 8 waiting list status. You can call to PHA office to know your application status. You should visit the local PHA office and collect such numbers for future communication.
Getting Priority When You Are On The Waiting List
Getting priority when you are on the waiting list is worth eliminating suffering. For this, it is important to work on this issue and you should explain your issues on why you need housing assistance through section 8 housing choice voucher. Surely the need for housing for a family may be urgent on different grounds. In this situation, humanity and urgency are considered effective. Here are some ways to get priority on the section 8 waiting list.
Show your Extremely low income: it is really difficult to live in an apartment when you have an extremely low income. This housing assistance may help you cut spending on housing and let you go with other basic spending. A household that earns roughly 30% of the median income within the area is called extremely low income. In this case, your priority for getting housing assistance through the section will be much more. So you may discuss with the PHA about your extremely low income that can ensure priority on the waiting list.
You are homeless: Homeless people are supposed to live under the sky and in an unsafe place. When families have children, senior people, and the disabled, priority is given to such issues. If you are recently homeless with such issues, you may explain your condition to the PHA to make sure you can get housing assistance as quickly as possible even if you are on the long waiting list.
Reside in a shelter: when a family with children and disabled members, it is hard to think about living in any shelter. They need special care and support. Without such special care and support, the children may not grow socially and mentally. Additionally, for the disabled and seniors with special needs that is possible to get an apartment. When some families have such conditions, they need to explain to the local public housing authority to get priority. Surely humanity is the first to come even if you are on the long waiting list.
Mention Disability: as said, a disabled person’s movement may be so difficult without any accommodation to the house. They need special care and supporting assistance in a house. If you have disabled family members, you contact with housing authority or local public housing agencies with medical documents and other proof of disability. Surely your condition will be considered well.
Be elderly: it is also important to note that a senior person should have a bedroom that is close to the washroom and need fresh indoor air quality. These are not possible when they are living in any shelter or other places. As you have elderly family members and applied for section 8, you may explain this reality to make sure you can get priority.
Be a Veteran: Veterans are real heroes who have safeguarded the country and worked relentlessly for the safety and security of the citizens. In so many cases, the veterans may fall down in the crisis and they may not make much savings to lead a smooth life for the rest. So HUD highly recognizes that helping US veterans is great to work. So you as veterans may get priority when you can submit such information on your service in the military and feel the need for housing assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
So there is some question to ask and so many people ask to get answers for getting information. We have compiled some information by answering some questions.
What do I need to do while I am on the waiting list?
It is an important question and explains that you need to be observant in every step and process and work from the application process to the housing choice voucher issue. So you should keep all types of documents from communication, submitting papers and documents, and notes from any phone calls. Surely there will be no mistakes when you are asked to provide related information.
Additionally, your income may increase, and other family compositions may change. For any type of change and increase in income, it is important to update your local housing authority to prove that you are genuine and authentic. More importantly, your application information should be handy so that you can explain and answer if the housing authority asks over the phone or other means.
How long is the waitlist for section 8?
The waiting list may depend on inadequate funding which is the reason for limited affordable housing for income struggling families. For this, the waiting list is a common issue for those who apply for this housing assistance. But this waiting list may vary from 1.5 years to 7 years. There are different data regarding this issue; you may check out local public housing agencies about the average duration of the waiting list.
How long is the waitlist for section 8 in California?
The waiting list duration may vary according the state by state. Some factors make the waiting list long. When you are living in California, the average wait for section 8 housing is 4 to 5 years. But the estimated wait for public housing is approximately one year.
Final Verdict
As an applicant, you need housing assistance as soon as possible. In this case, you must communicate with the housing authority and maintain a regular connection. More importantly, you should provide accurate and authentic information to make sure the housing authority can check out easily and within a short item. Additionally, each housing authority’s number on the waiting list may differ. So, you should request the housing authority what the condition of your waiting list is. This should be regular communication with the housing authority that can help you with information that you are actively on the waiting list.