Paying rent takes up a substantial part of your monthly income, and this is especially true if you are a low-income household. If you are a stressed-out, low-income renter, you should consider filling out a Section 8 application to help lessen the impact of your monthly rent on your family’s tight budget.
The Section 8 program was designed to help individuals and families who make a certain percentage of the area median income find affordable housing. Section 8 benefits help low-income families get the housing they need at a price they can afford.
Needing assistance may be immediate, but receiving housing assistance may take time. Let’s review ways to help get your Section 8 application approved fast.
Six Steps to Get Your Section 8 Housing Application Approved Fast
It can seem overwhelming as you try to get a Section 8 application approved fast. Potential renters can find themselves on the waiting list for a long time while struggling to pay for their current rental property.
Thankfully, there are six steps you can take to speed up getting your Section 8 application approved.
1. Contact Your Local Public Housing Agency
Local Public Housing Agencies (PHA) administers the Section 8 housing choice voucher program for the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Before applying for Section 8 housing, it’s a good idea to contact the PHA in your area (or several) to learn more about the program and the application process. Here are some questions you may want to ask:
- Are applications currently being accepted? – This will give you an idea of whether or not the PHA is currently taking applications and if there is a waitlist.
- What are the eligibility requirements for Section 8 housing? – Knowing the eligibility requirements will help you determine if you qualify for the program (income limits, acceptable rental unit types, etc)
- What documents are required for the application? – This will help you prepare the necessary documents ahead of time and ensure that you have everything needed to complete the application.
- How is the waiting list determined and how long is the typical wait? – Knowing the waiting period will help you plan accordingly and prepare for a potentially lengthy wait.
- Are there any preferences for certain groups or individuals? – Some PHAs may have preference categories, such as homeless individuals or victims of domestic violence, low income individuals and families or those at a certain percentage of the median income that may have priority on the waitlist.
- Can you provide information about the voucher program and how it works? – This will help you understand how the voucher program works, how much you may receive in rental assistance, and what your responsibilities are as a tenant.
- Are there any local or state-specific regulations or policies that may impact my application or voucher? – It’s important to be aware of any local or state-specific regulations or policies that may impact your application or voucher, such as restrictions on the types of housing that are eligible.
- Is there any additional information or resources available to help me with the application process? – Some PHAs may offer additional resources, such as workshops or application assistance, to help applicants navigate the process.
Remember, the PHA is there to help you and answer any questions you may have. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions that you may have about the program or the application process.
2. Apply As Soon As Possible
When applying for the Section 8 program, it is important to apply as soon as possible. Depending on the local housing authority, there can be a huge demand for housing assistance which means long waiting lists with hundreds or even thousands of applicants so the sooner you get your application in, the better chance you will have at receiving a voucher faster.
It’s also important to note that some of these waiting lists may not be open or available all year round, and some may take months or years before they reopen again. That’s why it’s always best to act fast and check with your local housing authority when they are accepting applications and find out when their waiting list is open.
For those who need immediate assistance, contacting your local homeless services may help provide more immediate relief through short-term programs such as emergency shelters and temporary accommodations for families in need.
Once you’ve applied for Section 8 housing you should always keep an eye on status updates related to your case and make sure that all information is correct from any documents submitted by both yourself and/or your landlord(s). By staying up to date with everything related to Section 8, individuals and families can ensure their requests are processed quickly and efficiently.
3. Complete Your Application Thoroughly and Accurately
If you are eligible for Section 8 benefits, you need to complete the required paperwork correctly. Additionally, if your local PHA has a waiting list, you may need to fill out a pre-application form and gain eligibility status. While emergency acceptance is possible, the waiting period may take time.
To get your name on the waitlist, the PHA must confirm your eligibility for Section 8 benefits. Have your most recent tax returns and pay stubs to show that your income does not total more than fifty percent of the average income in your area.
4. Gather All Required Documents
As you wait for Section 8 approval, you can gather documents to verify the members of your household with your local PHA. While the specific documents required for applying for Section 8 housing may vary depending on the housing authority and state where you are applying. However, here is a general list of documents that you may need to provide:
- Social Security cards for all household members.
- Identification documents, such as a driver’s license or passport.
- Proof of income, such as paycheck stubs, tax returns, or bank statements.
- Proof of assets, such as bank statements or investment account statements.
- Proof of any government benefits, such as Social Security, disability, or unemployment.
- Proof of expenses, such as utility bills or medical bills.
- Any court or legal documents related to child support or custody arrangements.
- A completed application form provided by the housing authority.
- A copy of your lease agreement, if applicable.
- Any additional documentation requested by the housing authority.
With many other applicants hoping to get section 8 housing, it’s important to have all your necessary documents in order. Before you apply, make sure that you prioritize the required information and paperwork needed.
You should also be ready to provide contact information for landlords or rental agencies that have previously housed you as well as references from employers or family members who can vouch for your character.
It is highly recommended to review what documents are necessary before applying so there are no delays during the application process. Having these documents ready will ensure that you get approved for section 8 housing fast!
5. Follow Up With the Housing Authority
Once you have submitted your application for Section 8 housing, it’s a good idea to follow up with your local Public Housing Authority to check on the status of your application. Here are some steps you can take when following up:
- Call the PHA: Contact the PHA by phone to inquire about the status of your application. Be sure to have your application number or other identifying information on hand.
- Ask for an estimated timeline: Ask the PHA for an estimated timeline for processing applications and when you can expect to hear back about the status of your application.
- Inquire about any missing information: If your application is incomplete, the PHA will likely notify you of any missing information. If you haven’t heard back from the PHA in a timely manner, inquire if any information is missing from your application. Make sure to provide this missing information as soon as possible and then follow up with the PHA to ensure they received it.
- Keep your contact information up to date: Make sure the PHA has your current and accurate contact information so they can reach you if they have any questions or updates regarding your application.
6. Prepare for and Participate in the Interview
Participating in an interview is a critical step in the process of getting Section 8 housing. This is the time where your eligibility and household information will be verified. It’s important to remember that you must make it to this appointment as failure to attend may result in a cancellation or denial of your application.
Make sure you’re prepared beforehand by having all the required documents on hand, such as proof of identity, income documents, and rental assistance requests. Also practice responding to questions about your family size and financial situation without being too long-winded or off-topic.
Once at the meeting, show up on time with a positive attitude – landlords will look for applicants who are punctual and well-mannered when evaluating their Section 8 voucher request applications.
If there’s anything else they need from you during this phase, be sure to provide them with any needed information promptly so that your application can move through its processing stages smoothly!
What If You Have a Housing Emergency?
Ask if your local PHA has specific emergency housing criteria for the Section 8 waiting list. People living in low-quality housing, homeless, victims of domestic violence, involuntarily displaced, or persons with disabilities usually obtain preferential placement on the waitlist.
If you qualify through one of these methods you may be eligible to move up to the top of the list and receive a housing voucher much sooner than through the normal process.
If you feel like your housing situation is an emergency, click here for an emergency Section 8 application tip.
Final Thoughts
Due to the way the process is setup, it’s almost impossible to get Section 8 immediately, but by following the suggestions we’ve given you, your Section 8 application can be approved fast.
Make sure that you work with the right people at your local PHA and accurately and completely prepare all the documents and paperwork to get the best results for your family situation.
Do you have more tips to get a Section 8 application approved quickly? Join our Facebook Group HERE and share your story, ask questions, and get help from others!
