RoxanneThat can be tough on just one income, but if you get Section 8 assistance, your dream of affordable housing can become a reality. Here are some tips to achieve that goal.
Why Section 8 Is Great For Single Parents
Before you take the time to apply for Section 8 benefits, you’re probably wondering what all of the fuss is about. In a nutshell, here is why Section 8 is so popular: With a Housing Choice Voucher, you will only have to pay 30 percent of your income towards rent. Since so many low-income households pay over 50 percent per month, you can now see how Section 8 can save the day.
Can every single parent qualify for a Section 8 voucher? No, as the program is meant for those with the most financial need. To qualify, you will need to prove that your income sits below a certain level, which is usually less than half of the area median income for your location. Beyond that primary qualification, you will also need to prove your citizenship status and show that you do not have an extensive criminal or eviction history.
How To Begin The Section 8 Process
If you feel like you could qualify for Section 8, contact your Public Housing Agency to begin the application process. They will tell you if you can apply in-person or online, give you a list of documents you will need, and offer assistance with completing your application.
If approved, you will move to a Section 8 waitlist until a voucher becomes available. Depending on your location and the supply and demand for vouchers, that wait could be more than a year.
How To Get Affordable Housing Faster
Since you probably cannot wait over a year for housing assistance, let’s discuss several ways to speed up the process. For starters, you can make Section 8 quicker by:
- Asking your Public Housing Agency about their waitlist preferences. If any apply to your situation, such as being homeless, living in substandard housing, etc., that could move you up the list.
- Contacting as many Public Housing Agencies as possible. Some are faster than others and may provide better assistance. Use that link above to contact agencies in your city, county, and state until you find one that’s a good fit.
- Applying to multiple waitlists. Some may be closed, while others may have extremely long waits. The more you apply to (big cities can have 50 on their own), the better.
- Seeking housing in different locations, especially if you live in a huge city. Smaller cities may have less demand and shorter waitlists that can result in getting a voucher quicker.
Those tips can help you get a Section 8 voucher in less time. Here’s a hack that can help you bypass the voucher process altogether: Contact affordable housing buildings directly and ask if they have units that charge 30 percent of income.
A yes to that question means that you can pay a small portion of your rent with the building’s private funding paying the remainder. To find such buildings that you can start contacting today, Google “affordable housing” in your city, contact your PHA and ask for a list, or use the HUD Resource Locator.
