Section 8 Housing Rules: How Many Bedrooms Will You Get?
Find out Section 8 Housing Rules regarding the number of bedrooms you can get. The most important factor that will determine your unit size is the number of people in your household.
Unit size is an issue every person applying for Section 8 housing wants to know about. We got more than 600 comments on one of our more popular articles “section 8 guidelines for unit size“, primarily asking about how many bedrooms they would qualify for.
Below I will discuss the GENERAL Section 8 Housing Rules, specifically with regard to the number of bedrooms.
Remember, each state and county will have different qualifications so be sure to check with your local HA for specific eligibility questions.
Latest Section 8 Housing Rules For Unit Size
Housing authorities are now trying to strictly enforce the “two heartbeats per room” rule. This means you have to have at least 2 people in every bedroom regardless of age or gender. This is a general rule set forth by the US Department of Housing an Urban Development.
However, this rule is not always straightforward. Also, individual housing authorities use many other factors to make a final determination, regarding the number of people that can legally occupy a unit.
Finally, other factors that are used to determine unit size include size of the bedrooms, configuration of the unit, age and number of children, presence of people with disabilities, any requirements of special aids and assistance, etc.
General Section 8 Housing Rules For Unit Size
Here is a reference table used by Housing Authorities across the US to determine how many people can live in a unit. Also, the table has both minimum and maximum guidelines for occupancy, which are set forth to avoid cases of fraud.
Typical PHA Standards Used to Issue Housing Choice Voucher
| Housing Choice Voucher Size | Minimum # of People in Household | Maximum # of People in Household |
|---|---|---|
| 0 BR | 1 | 1 |
| 1 BR | 1 | 2 |
| 2 BR | 2 | 4 |
| 3 BR | 4 | 6 |
| 4 BR | 6 | 8 |
| 5 BR | 8 | 10 |
| 6 BR | 10 | 12 |
Standards Used to Determine Acceptability of Unit Size (HQS Rules)
| Unit Size | Maximum Occupancy ** |
|---|---|
| 0 BR | 1 |
| 1 BR | 4 |
| 2 BR | 6 |
| 3 BR | 8 |
| 4 BR | 10 |
| 5 BR | 12 |
| 6 BR | 14 |
** Maximum Occupancy Assuming a Living Room Is Used as a Living/Sleeping Area
How the Unit Size Determination is Made
When you apply for a Section 8 Housing Voucher, the Housing Authority will use the following factors to determine the number of bedrooms you will be eligible for.
• The subsidy standards must provide for the smallest number of bedrooms necessary to house a
family without overcrowding.
• A child who is temporarily away because he/she is in foster care is considered a member of the family in determining the unit size.
• A family that consists of a pregnant woman only, and (no other persons), is considered a
two-person family.
• Any live-in aide (approved by the PHA to reside in the unit to care for a family member who
is disabled or is at least 50 years of age) will be counted in determining the unit size.
• A maximum of one bedroom per family will be allocated for live-in aides, even if the family has more than one aide.
• Two elderly or disabled household members may be given separate bedrooms.
• Unless a live-in-aide resides with the family, the family unit size for any family consisting of
a single person must be either a zero or one-bedroom unit.
• Persons of different generations, and unrelated adults (except for domestic partners) may have a
separate bedroom, within the limitations of the minimum occupancy standards outlined below.
• Students who attend a school more than 50 miles away from the subsidized unit are not
considered a member of the household. Additionally, full-time students who attend a school within 50 miles of the subsidized unit but live away from the unit more than half the year are not included in
household size.
Other Considerations May Be Used To Determine Unit Size
Also, a particular Housing Authority may also use the following consideration to determine what size unit you would be eligible for.
1. Size of bedrooms
If it will be determined that the size of a bedroom in a unit you are looking at is too small, only 1 person may be allowed to live there. For example, if you have two adults and two children, and the second bedroom is deemed too small, you may not be able to get that unit.
2. Age of children
Some Housing Authorities have additional section 8 housing rules regarding children. Thus, they take the age of children into consideration when determining the number of bedrooms. For example, if you have two adults and an infant child, they may get only 1 bedroom. However, if the child is older, (particularly a teenager) they may get a separate bedroom.
3. Physical limitations of housing
Such factors as the size of the septic tank, sewer and other building systems may be used to determine the maximum number of people allowed in one unit.
Changes In Family Size or Health Status
If your family size or situation changes, you may be eligible to reapply and get a larger unit. These situations may include having another child, or a health condition or disability that requires the presence of an aid 24/7.
Finally, when you reapply, make sure that you have all documents that verify your current situation. In case you will be requesting a room for an aid, you will need to present all supporting medical documents.
My sister moved out, and it’s my grandson and myself in a 3 bedroom townhome that’s subsidized by Stearns county HRA in Minnesota. I know you have to have at least 1 person per bedroom or your not eligiable. My question is, if I have someone who can move in with me, and fills out an application and pass everything that’s required of her, can she move in with me? That 3rd person would make me eligible to stay in my place. I was told I cant add another person to my home, I’m confused. Do you have any answers for me?
I have a 3 bedroom that me and my grandmother stayed at my grandparent moved out and gave me her voucher and now my sister Nd niece wanna move n do u guys think we should be able to keep that house becuase they are saying we only qualify for a 2 bedroom is that tru
This is so sad that we have to sleep in a room with any of are kids… this is why family members are molesting these kids.. their not looking at that. 14yr old boy should not be in a room with a little girl period.
I have 3 adults an 4 children 2 boys 2 girls in 3 bedroom we fit fine will i have to move ?
I’m a section 8 participant and my oldest moved out now my voucher changed from a 3 Unit to a 2. I have myself, my 13 yr old daughter, as well as my 4 yr old son. I still reside in my 3 unit although my voucher size changed. Will I have to relocate now because of this change?
I have a year old boy and a 10year old boy and a three year old gal. I share a room with my two little ones. I plan on moving to Illinois will I get a two bedroom again or a three bedroom? I’m asking about a three bedroom because my 10year tried to kill my 3year old when she was two years old going on three. That’s why we three are in one room and my 10year old is in his own room.
I have a year old boy and a 10year old boy and a three year old gal. I share a room with my two little ones. I plan on moving to Illinois will I get a two bedroom again or a three bedroom?
I have a Baltimore county voucher for one bedroom can I use it for a two bedroom house
I have a section 8 voucher right now living in a one-bedroom they are stopping Section 8 by June there is a small studio in the same neighborhood can I rent a small Studio it’s just a room and a bathroom I’m 62 years old I’m disability and I don’t cook so I don’t need a kitchen please let me know
I’m in the same situation
I have a 3 bedroom voucher. It’s my 26 year old daughter, my 20-year old daughter, 16 year old son and 11 year old son. I’m in the process of taking my 26 year old daughter off my section 8. My question is will my voucher go down to a two-bedroom or will I still have a 3-bedroom voucher.
Your 3 bed voucher should switch to a two bed. Same as if you added a person, the voucher would increase to 3.
i would think you would still get the 3 bedroom voucher here in ca different sexes have to have seperate rooms
More than likely due to the new rules. They will say you and the 20 year old can share a room and the boys can share a room which will also decrease the Voucher amount. I have always been in a house or Townhouse using a Voucher in Dallas County. My Wife and I are splitting so she and my 2 daughters are moving out and I will have our Son. The voucher is in my name but more than likely I will have to move out of our 3 bedroom house to either a 1 bedroom or a 2 bedroom. My Son is 15 so they might consider the age difference of him being a teen and me an adult. So now I am already looking for 1 and 2 bedroom houses or townhomes. I have found a few. This will help until I can get situated and re established. I do have a job and am considering dropping the Section 8. But as long as I can work and still use it, a penny saved is a penny to use elsewhere.
It’s 5 people on my voucher myself and my 19 and 16 year old sons and my 2 daughters 11 and 2 will I qualify for a 4 bedroom or a 3 bedroom I am in Tallahassee FL area
I have a HUD voucher and I have 2 adults and 3 other children how many bedrooms will I qualify for and I got a 3 bedroom
I have a 17 year old son and was granted a 1 bedroom. I don’t feel my son and I should share rooms. The guidelines did say it considered gender and age generation. Can I ask for a 2 room voucher?
really see they told me the same thing but i didn’t believe them but my son is 19 and disabled so we had put in a special accomodation request for an extra room because he has alot of supplies and we were granted it but i think it so wrong they expect a mother and older son to share a room it doesn’t seem very healthy to me
i was granted a 1 bedroom voucher with my 4 yr old but that doesnt mean you have to get a 1 bedroom, you can find a 2 bedroom house/apartment thats in your price range of your voucher amount
What if were only 3 me , my son thats 12 and my daughter who’s 10 years old? How many rooms can i get. In Puerto Rico i have 3 bedrooms. In Florida i wish the same.
My situation is a bit confusing. 9 years ago my daughter and I moved into a 2 bedroom apartment. Since then, she has moved out. At that time, my voucher was reduced from a 2 bedroom to a 1 bedroom but I was able to stay because the rent on the apartment is less than a 1 bedroom. I’m contemplating whether or not I want to move or stay where I am and my question is; Will I have to downsize to a 1 bedroom or can I get another 2 bedroom if the rent is less than a 1 bedroom payment standard?