RoxanneSection 8 is a housing assistance program where the government pays a portion of your monthly rent, and you pay the rest. The amount you pay is determined by your income. If you make zero income because you cannot work, you could enjoy free rent in some cases. And if you have minimal income, you could enjoy very affordable out-of-pocket rent expenses, which can help you save cash for other purposes and stop having to stress over your monthly bills.
While the thought of getting a portion of your rent paid by the government may be appealing, it must be said that Section 8 typically does not offer emergency assistance. In other words, if you are struggling to pay your landlord now and need immediate help, Section 8 may not suffice. However, if you are persistent and patient, you could get a Section 8 voucher within a period of one to three years. You could even get it in six months or less in exceptional circumstances.
That’s Section 8 in a nutshell. Now let’s break it down in more detail by discussing the pros and cons of vouchers so you can see if you should apply for Section 8 rent assistance.
The Pros Of Section 8 Vouchers
- Once you get the voucher, it’s yours. As long as you maintain eligibility via the income requirements and follow the program’s and your landlord’s rules, you may even keep the voucher for life.
- You can use the voucher to move to a different unit, city, or state, provided the housing you pick fits Section 8 standards and the landlord accepts your voucher.
- Section 8 lets you pick housing that fits your needs, whether it’s a single-family home, apartment, townhome, etc. This flexibility is ideal for large families or people with special needs.
- Having a Section 8 voucher means rent becomes much more affordable. You won’t have to spend more than 30 percent of your monthly income on rent, and each month the government will send its payment portion directly to your landlord.
The Cons Of Section 8 Vouchers
- Since Section 8 is extremely popular and demand exceeds voucher supply, you could be waiting a long time to get assistance.
- Some waiting lists claim to be as long as 10 years in certain areas due to demand, while others close entirely since they cannot service all applicants.
- Applying for Section 8 can be stressful in terms of gathering documents and the waiting involved. Luckily, you can get help from a housing counselor throughout the process for some peace of mind.
- Even with a voucher, you may have to pay application fees and security deposits before moving into your new place.
- You may have trouble finding a landlord to accept your voucher.
To start the Section 8 voucher application process, go here to contact your Public Housing Agency.
