Who Is Eligible for Section 8 Housing?

There are several eligibility requirements for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. While these varies widely by county, they usually include:

Elderly

• The elderly are defined as households that are at least one member of the household that is 62 years old or older. In addition, all members of the household must meet income guidelines and be U.S. citizens or legal aliens with satisfactory immigration documentation.

Disabled

• Any person who is 18 years old or older who is physically handicapped (developmentally or mentally) may qualify under this category if they meet income requirements and citizenship status requirements.

 Family with Children

• The family with children is eligible for section 8 if they have Family Size 3 or more children if they are going through a divorce.
• If you are single, and your income is less than $2,000, then you can be considered for the program as well. If you are married and your husband makes over $20,000, you will not qualify.

Section 8 participants must comply with program requirements, including completing an annual certification, accommodating Housing quality standards inspections, allowing property owners to make any needed repairs, adhering to the terms of the lease, and complying with the rules of the program.

• NYCHA administers one of the largest Section 8 programs in the country. Over 85,000 Section 8 voucher holders and 25,000 landlords participate in the program. 
• Section 8 benefits are available to all U.S. citizens and legal immigrants who meet the eligibility.

Section 8 Housing Eligibility

There are four factors that the PHA considers when determining whether someone is eligible for Section 8 vouchers.

These are,

• Your family size,
• Your citizenship status
• Your ability to prove citizenship or eligible immigration status,
• And any previous evictions you’ve received.

The PHA considers is whether you are a victim of domestic violence.

• This includes physical, sexual, or emotional abuse and financial abuse.

People who have been evicted from public housing due to drug-related crimes are ineligible for Section 8 assistance for three years after the eviction.