FAQ #1: Can a Convicted Felon Get Section 8 Housing?
| |Find out how you can apply for Section 8 Housing with a felony.
If you have a felony, your housing options are very limited. However, it is still possible in most cases to apply and be eligible for Section 8 Housing.
While there are general federal eligibility guidelines for felons interested in applying for Section 8, different state and county Housing Authorities may have their own specific guidelines.
To get started on the process, contact your local Housing Authority (HA) and find out what are the guidelines of applying if you have served time in prison.
Here, we will review the standard eligibility guidelines for Section 8 Housing for someone with a felony.
Related: are you a felon? view this hilarious video
Felonies That Automatically Disqualify an Individual From Section 8 Housing
There are 2 felonies that will prevent you from obtaining a section 8 voucher.
- If you have a lifetime listing on the sex offender registry
- If you sold meth anywhere near public housing facilities.
It is also important to realize that if you or someone in your family commits one of these felonies, while already residing in Section 8 Housing, they will take away your voucher forever. Also, that person will never be eligible for Section 8 again.
State and County Guidelines for Felons Applying for Section 8
If you have not committed any of the two felonies listed above, you may get a Section 8 Housing Voucher. Keep in mind, that most state and county Housing Authorities have very strict rules regarding felons. This is because their goal is to keep crime down in subsidized housing facilities.
Here is a general list of guidelines that can give you a sense if you can qualify for public housing.
- If our felony happened more than 5 years ago, most places will accept your application. However, there are some HA’s that have a 10 year requirement on a felony charge. Some HA’s may waive the 5-year rule if, you have gone through a rehabilitation program. However, in this case, you will need to present a certificate of compliance.
- If you have been convicted of a violent crime, drug dealing or fraud, some HAs may disqualify your application. Call your local Housing Authorities, let them know what you have been convicted for and find out if you should bother applying.
- If you or someone in your household has a documented history of drug and/or alcohol abuse, you may not be eligible. As mentioned before, Housing Authorities work very hard to keep crime down and to maintain an overall safe and calm environment of housing premises.
- You may be disqualified if you have a documented history of bad relationships with your neighbors. This may include: physical or verbal assaults, bullying and other types of peace disturbance.
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If you have not been consistently paying your rent in previous years, your application may be turned down.
Criminal Background Checks for Felons Applying For Section 8 Housing
When you apply for a Section 8 voucher, you will need to go through a criminal background check. This is why you should not lie or try to hide your conviction when you fill out the application.
Moreover, once you get your voucher, most landlords will also do their own criminal background checks. This is one of the reasons why felons have such a hard time securing housing, even if they already have a section 8 voucher. Many landlords prefer to play it safe, and turn down applications from felons.
However, this should not discourage you from applying. When you go for an interview with a prospective landlord, be honest about your past. Focus on the fact that you have changed for good. If a landlord happens to personally like you, he may be willing to rent you an apartment.
Documents Required to Apply for Section 8 Housing
This is a general list of documents you will need to present with your application. Possibly, some HAs may request additional paperwork from you:
- Standard Application
– Proof of citizenship/legal status
– Birth certificate
– Social Security number
– Pay stubs (check how many months they want)
– Bank statements (check how many months they want)
– Criminal background check
– Credit Score Check
– Completed tax forms (check how many years they want)
– Statement from government agencies about benefits, such as welfare payments or food stamps
– Proof of current residence
– Addresses and contact information where you lived in the last 5 years
Wait Time For a Section 8 Voucher
Overall, you should be prepared to wait for a while before you get your voucher. Section 8 is very popular and in many places, people wait as long as 5-6 years. The average wait is 2-4 years. In some areas, the wait can be very short, 6-12 months.
You should call the HAs where you plan to apply to find out an estimated wait time.
Moreover, it is a good idea to apply to as many local HAs as possible. Thus, you will have a much higher chance of getting a voucher.
Finally, be sure to check the deadline of the application. If you miss the deadline, the list will close, and you will need to wait a year or more to apply again.
I just got accepted for section 8 in Michigan and have my voucher and found a house but I recently got into an car accident drinking and driving and my only son passed away , and I’m being charged with it but don’t have a felony just yet. If I get sentenced to prison will they take it away or will they allow me to let my children father stay in my home to take care of the children?
you need to add him to the voucher. they will go off his income as well and pull a background check. but explain that to your attorney that you arent a threat to your community, you just got the opportunity to overcome a barrier in your life such a such housing cost. You can further your education, make more money, have more time with your children, and they can be in more activities. hope this helps…life sucks .. it will get better, ask your attorney to lower the charge to no jail time, lessen the sentence, so no felonies, make the fine more, dont take your license. you can always pay on that fine, and ask for more time.
Any one know about drug felonies and Wisconsin
I have felonies on my record for production. I’ve been out of prison since 2007. Would I be able to get section 8 here in Chicago. My sister in law told me I can’t get section 8 because I’m a felon. But I was told they have a felon section 8 program here for people with felonies.
I have several felonies and was still approved, just depends on the nature, don’t sweat it
What type of felonies? What state if you don’t mind me asking.
Theft back in the 90s but that’s misdemeanor the only felonies I have is prescription resell narcotics
What state are you in?
My boyfriend has a class 1 felony of residential burglary think he will be eligible
My husband is a felon – a robbery he committed over 10 years ago. We just went to eligibility interview. Will that prevent us from being accepted for section 8?
If you go with all your info you’ll get your voucher that day of your interview ….. (Atleast in Missouri) They wouldnt waste the time to call you in for a interview known they’ve already ran background checks and things like that.
So in Missouri if u come with all your information u leave with a voucher… I have a interview for my section 8 in Kansas City Missouri on the nov 30..
Hi I live in NC, I was convicted in 2012 of a federal felony drug charge, will that keep me from fretting section 8 housing?
I was a approved after being convicted of an Aggravated Battery while on Housing. I say apply, should they deny you appeal. Write a letter explaining how you been rehabilitated, and what you’ve done since being convicted.
What state r u in I’m in Illinois
Where is this location tho bcuz I’m in Illinois trying to see if my boyfriend would be approved with a class 1 felony of residential burglary
I have a felony conviction of aggravated assault in Tennessee and I am trying to get housing in Texas the felony conviction happened in 2008 and 2009 will that disqualify me for housing in Texas
I was convicted of second degree assault in 1993 in Illinois and it prevented me from getting an apartment in Galveston Texas 2 weeks ago.
Hi I just got convicted of a misdemeanor petty theft charge will I lose my section 8
Hi I just got convicted of a misdemeanor petty theft charge over a cell phone will I loose my sec8 never been in troble
No I don’t believe Misdemeanors will prevent you from getting section 8 because I have one and I have my voucher! I just got put on this year and my misdemeanor is from 2015
Will I have to contact my housing office and let them know I got a petty theft I was with someone and they got caught !!! Well I went down by association I got a Mrmeaner will I lose my section 8
My daughter has more then 3 misdemeanors and we live in California i went for my interview but now i need to add my daughter on…do u no the rules for misdemenors in California…if not how would i obtain that information?
I’m disability in have a 5 year old daughter been almost ten years ago no trouble at all will I be eligible for support
I’m going to my appointment tw for section 8 in Az I do have a felony it’s been 4 yrs already next year felony will drop to misdemeanor it was for dui will that disqualify me from getting my section 8?
Hi sorry to bother but did you ever get approved? My husband has a dui gbi and i was wondering if he would be approve or disqualifie
Can I recieve a section 8 voucher in Florida state with a recent aggravated assault charge ?