Section 8 Housing Rules: How Many Bedrooms Will You Get?

Why would you try for another child if you need section 8 to survive

Exactly what I have a question about. Section 9 can do better with these rules . What are they doing trying save a government buck I don’t get it. I’m 46 my daughter is 12 . You would think she would want her own room where ever she go. A adult wants their privacy. She wants to decorate her own room. Where we are now my voucher is for one but covers the two I do have a two but it makes you feel limited where to live. My place is nice already but I found brand new apartments that is excepting section 8. I got approved for the place but the voucher amount 1 bedroom mess me up . Why did they come up with such rules jeez. A one should be for one person 2 for 2 or 3 considering children age and so and so forth.

Exactly what I have a question about. Section 9 can do better with these rules . What are they doing trying save a government buck I don’t get it. I’m 46 my daughter is 12 . You would think she would want her own room where ever she go. A adult wants their privacy. She wants to decorate her own room. Where we are now my voucher is for one but covers the two I do have a two but it makes you feel limited where to live. My place is nice already but I found brand new apartments that is excepting section 8. I got approved for the place but the voucher amount 1 bedroom mess me up . Why did they come up with such rules jeez. A one should be for one person 2 for 2 or 3 considering children age and so and so forth.

You can pull up the payment standard on their website but I believe it’s about $1800 or higher. I used to live in San Joaquin County as well and they do not pay much and then I moved to Stanislaus county. Those smaller counties’ vouchers are small due to the cost of living. Anywhere near the Bay area or anywhere where the cost of living is high, the voucher will be two to 3 times higher.

You most certainly can get an extra bedroom. Best practice, as long as the rent doesn’t exceed your rent to owner amount or your voucher, you can get extra room. I’m not sure if all states have a RENT TO OWNER amount listed on their sheet. I have a 6 bedroom with a 4 bedroom voucher. The rent didn’t exceed my voucher or rent to owner amount.

HI! GOOD MORNING. I was thinking about buying a couch that turns into a bed in the living room.

Hi the amount won’t visibly be written on the voucher you have to contact your worker for that . Adjustable income is what you gross it is the taxable income

Dang just telling all ther business

Up to 14 days and you have to let HUD know what’s going on

Not untill the baby is born

Yes, you cannot get more bedrooms than they approve no matter the price

Nope as long as it is the price of the 2 bdrm you can get it no matter how many rooms it has

Hi dont get upset u can still win ,find a 3 bedroom apartment for the same amount as the two bedroom price

Hi I’m just trying to see if you could look into that again with your housing agency I need to file a appeal because I would think u well over qualify for a 3bed voucher with having yourself, a daughter, and teenage son . One for different gender of children and 2nd he’s a teenager he should have his own room please don’t settle for less in this situation seek assistance I also will be receiving Section8 housing and I got a 3bed voucher with 3 boys and myself and I have a 17 yr old so the two younger boys have to share a room

Hi, I’m from ny why did you get denied in Cali did u move your voucher to Cali from ny?

Where’s daddy does he have a JOB maybe you shouldn’t have any more kids

this 4 bed for 2350 have all utility include them is not a problem,but you voucher only go up to 2493 if all utilities are included in the rent .

It’s two heartbeats per bdrm. I don’t think it matters who bunks with who. They did approve sharing of a bdrm for my son and I and he is a teenager. It depends on the state you are in too.

It should. It’s 2 people per room. If the is more than 2 per room they will hive you more bedrooms. Send depending on amount of money you bring in and how many children you should get another bedroom. This is what was finally explained to me st the apartment’s im on waiting list for for 1br. So he put me on both. You have to make a certain amount to get extra bedroom . These are at 30%. I will have to pay that much until my voucher comes thru. Then supposedly my voucher pays my 30% part or what im getting goes to that part. That’s where I’m confused

The max you will pay is 30% of your income. The rest up to the voucher amount is covered by the voucher.

All housing authorities are trying to strictly enforce this policy because of funds and other reasons. I stated that it varies for all states. It depends too on if your specialist is trying to help you or not. All children need their own bedroom.

You can go up a size or down. It’s up to you. If you go up a size, make sure rent is within your voucher.

‍♀️ I’m sorry you lost your spouse but I’m a single mother of 3 however I didnt ask for my sperm donor to make the choices he did ok

You can as long as the rent doesn’t exceed the voucher or rent to owner amount. And if your landlord is willing to decrease rent to fit within your voucher. I had a 4 bedroom voucher and lived in a 6 bedroom. The rent was within my 4 bedroom voucher.

Did you ever get an answer to your question?? We have a voucher for 1BR and they are all horrible (tiny and overpriced) I can find a 2 BR and just pay the $200 difference and have a much nicer place. Is that possible or are you REQUIRED to get a one bedroom?

I’m pretty sure because it’s one heart beat per room, you’ll either get a one or a two bedroom. Probly just a one. I had to get a one bedroom when I only had one kid.

I’m in the same boat. My son might be moving and I’m being told I have to downgrade from my 2 bd. 2 bath to a 1 bd. 1 bath.

I doubt it’s because you’re black. They’re not the ones making the rules & regulation’s!! Honey, that’s the government.

3kids with 1 on the way. Maybe you should keep your legs together and quit expecting the tax payers from supporting you. Get a frickin job Oh where’s daddy

I have housing and was recently told that I have too much space for a four-bedroom and I was told that I should be in a three-bedroom it’s seven people in the unit can they do this is this legal by law to have seven people in a 3 bedroom was told I didn’t have enough Furniture to be inside of the unit.

Yes. You will need doctors verification.

If the voucher amount does not exceed the rental price…example your voucher amount is 1640 for a 2 bedroom however if you find a house that is a 3 bedroom and the cost is 1540..you would be allowed to rent the unit under their criteria

I strongly agree!!

You should be in a 4 bedroom. One for 2 adults and 2 children per room. The extra adult would have a room to herself (or the adult can bunk with the child). Two heartbeats per room – they say.

U need to put him in a mental institution… Or this may end up badly

It will more than likely be two. It depends on the state and the new ‘two heartbeats per room rule’ they are implementing.

I’m in the same situation

i would think you would still get the 3 bedroom voucher here in ca different sexes have to have seperate rooms

Your 3bd voucher should remain the same because the Section standard is “ two heartbeats to a room” and they don’t require the head of household to share a room (unless it’s with thier spouse/partner).

What state are you in? & If disabled yes

Ask your housing authority about changing your present voucher to a ” Homeownership Voucher ” there are other requirements though!

GET NOTE FROM DOCTOR SAYING SHE HAVE SOME PROBLEMS YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE A TWO BEDROOM.

I have a 2 berm voucher. My child is moving out. Do I need to move to a 1 bedroom?

No, you evil neglectful monster. You shouldn’t get anything at all. And you won’t get 2 bedrooms.

Why would you put them on your voucher if they don’t live with you, and you don’t have custody ??

Under federal Fair Housing laws, if your disabled child’s doctor states in writing that because of the nature of your child’s disability he or she requires his own bedroom, then the housing authority would have to accommodate you. This is called a “Reasonable Accommodation.”

Actually it reads that if the disabled person requires AID 24/7… It becomes a reasonable accommodation only then.

If you’re allowing bedrooms for occupancy and not on Section 8, if everyone is related, then 2 people per bedroom is fine. 3 bedrooms would be allowed by any housing code.

YOU DO NOT HAVE MOVE.

Desiree, if I am reading these rules correctly, you would qualify for up to a 3 or 4 bedroom, depending on the size of the bedrooms and if they are judged large enough to have 3 beds in them.

Anytime there is a change, like the 20 yr old moving out, you need to report that change immediately. If they were bringing income into your household your voucher amount may need to be adjusted at your next eligibility interview.

The number of bedrooms should not change, though. Reason being, you would still have 3 others living with you and the 3 consists of male and female persons. So, you would have 1 bd, the young woman would have 1 bd and the boys would share a bedroom.

While the 20 yr old is still with you, it is considered reasonable for you and the young lady to share a room.

Keep in mind, once your 20 yr old is on your voucher, if he/she leaves to attend school, that school must be 50 + miles away for you to be able to simply remove him from the voucher. They can file to separate their case from yours at the next eligibility, but not before.

It’s called porting out. You would have to contact the housing authority in California where you want to live and see if they’re accepting people who wants to Port in. If they say yes, you would wait until your recertification which is usually when your current lease is ending and let your current housing authority know that you want to move out of state. They’ll give you your paperwork to give to the housing authority in California. Unfortunately you would have to physically take this paperwork to California and start the process. Make sure you ask if you could do it via US mail because California is a long way from Florida and can become very expensive with flights or driving. Hopefully they let you do paperwork via mail and you can do housing search on the internet but you would still have to go to California to meet the person to do the paperwork for the lease and inspect the unit. I had a friend who moved to Florida but already had family there who assisted with finding places to live

Federal standard is two people per room, regardless of sex or age. So you technically only qualify for a 2bdrm. Luckily you got a 3bdrm, so of course you won’t get a 4th bedroom. I know it’s a tight fit unfortunately

You only qualify to have your own room if your disability requires AID 24/7. Which neither of you have a disability that matches the reasonable accommodations rule. Learning disabilities have nothing to do with sleeping arrangements. Seems as though people use anything to try to get more out of the government. They’re not learning while sleeping or need to focus on much of anything at bedtime other than going to darn sleep lol

If you have legal custody of the grandchild or his parent (your child) is also on it.

One… ONE room!!! Two heart beats per room. They just pulled this garbage on me. Been on a two bedroom voucher with just my son and I for 7 yrs now. This recert, without notification, I’m bumped down to a one bedroom voucher. I have 10 days to get my Dr to fill out their stupid form proving I have to have my own room. Otherwise, I have to figure out a way to either come up with the difference every month, not easy to do with no money coming in. Move back in with my mom. Yay me! OR, find another place to live in three weeks plus deposit… Yeah, SOOOOO easy!!!!
Make sure that you have everything you need completely clearly stated… Just saying. Because I asked questions after the meeting and I was apparently told wrong.

The oldest is almost 18. Once they turn 18 they don’t have to sure. They may move u to a two/three bedroom once the oldest turns 18 and the youngest turns 2. I may get a 3 bdrm.

I’m a single mother with a 6 yr old would I get a 2 bedroom?

Yes 2 bedroom 1 for head of household one for child Head oh household get room then every 2 to a room no matter age or gender

Possible 4 bdrm. There are other cities n states that have open list for voucher n low income apts

Yes exactly My daughter is 16 and my son 3! They telling me I only get two rooms. They can not share and I think its crazy for me to share with them or convert the living room to a bedroom. I myself could not believe this. Wish they would take into consideration the gender and ages

Thank goodness I’m not the only one who thinks this is garbage!! I have a 9 yr old boy. Am I going to be sleeping with him, his friends and my boyfriend when he gets into Middle School… High School?!
Good Grief!!!

It depends on the gender of the kids. If it’s two girls & one boy the two girls will have to share a room

yes you can. i know i did my voucher was for 3 bedrooms but i found a 4 bedroom for the same price and im living in it now. each one of my kids got there own room and im so thankful.

Yes you are very lucky because its hard to find a bigger apartment cheaper than what you qualified for.

3 bedroom

they are giving you 2 bedrooms.

Most likely they will give you a 4 bedroom voucher

It depends on your local PHA because payment standards are different per area and ultimately your voucher amount is calculated based on your income, which can be less then the payment standard for some people on fixed incomes.

yes as long as his name on the lease.

I believe so but I don’t think they would approve if it was in a mobile home trailer/trailer I believe it has to be on a permanent foundation..Not positive but that’s what I was told at the meeting..

No you will get a two bedroom NYC because you and your daughter are the same sex so you can both share room however if you had a husband then your household will quilify for a 3 bedroom. They prefer females share room with females and males share room w/ males.

Karey, generally you can live in a larger unit with more bedrooms as long as the rent is below your voucher limit. How much is your NEW voucher amount now that one of your sons moved out? If the voucher limit is less than your $700 monthly rent then that could be the reason you must move. Remember that the payment standard amounts are not what you receive. The amount is based on your income. The payment standard for a one bedroom in my area is $733, however I was only given a voucher for $656 due to my income from SSDI being just under 1k. I was still able to find a two bedroom for $600 with washer/dryer hookups and currently live in it. The neighborhood isn’t the best.

Usually when you give birth to a new baby, the housing authority will not grant you an extra bedroom until the child is a few years older. It all depends on where you live because some housing authorities have more funds. Also, some housing authorities, like Kern County (Bakersfield, CA) have recently made their policy more strict: Two children per room regardless of gender. In the past, boys and girls were given separate rooms.

From what I understand. The federal government goes by the two heartbeat per bedroom regardless of age gender or relationship

Since you have paperwork showing that your daughter gave up legal rights and you have full guardianship, I suggest you immediately request a hearing with the housing authority. Just because your worker told you no doesn’t me he/she is correct. I’ve had to file a complaint before when being denied housing and the main lady in charge seen that I was correct and that the worker was wrong. Also, keep in mind that the payment standards put out are not what you get. They base it off of your income which hurts many people in high rent areas, like California. Due to out of control rent and less funding for HUD, they have began to enforce two children in the same room when they are opposite genders. Years ago, boys and girls were given separate rooms. If you are able to find a larger unit under your voucher limit, you can take it! I’m single and was able to find a two bedroom under my limit, but of course in a not so good neighborhood.

Yes as long as she was living in the house with you and was on your lease paper for section 8

Depending on if your state goes by the same rule, 2 heads per room except for head of household, you should qualify for a 3 bedroom. But in cases where the child is under 5 and has to be in the same room as head of household without a co-applicant, then it might just be a 2 bedroom. If you have a co-applicant, then it’ll be a 3 bedroom. If it’s allowed by your housing authority, you can get a larger unit as long as it doesn’t exceed your voucher amount. That’s something they don’t tell people.

It’s not illegal. People’s rent fluctuates depending on their income and/or household size or rental amount. It also depends on how much their unit is. Every unit doesn’t have to be the same rental amount. It can also depend on the voucher. You don’t know if that person upgraded or downgraded their unit size.

Depending on the age of your sister, you would submit the same documents as you did and/or the same as your children. If she’s over 18, she would undergo a background check as well. You would need to have permission from your landlord stating that it’s ok to have your sister live there.

Being that your child is 4 years old and no longer a new born, you will be given a voucher for a 2 bedroom. Remember to have at minimum, the first months rent and security deposit for your apartment because the Section 8 doesn’t disburse payment until 7-10 days AFTER a passed inspection. In my case, my apartment didn’t pass inspection the first time so I was still fully liable for the rent for the second month until it passed 30 days later. Make sure your unit has a refrigerator with freezer or it’s an automatic fail. If you have another child of the opposite sex, you will be allowed to upgrade to a 3 bedroom. The rule is two children of the same sex per bedroom.

i got a 2 bedroom with a then 3 yr old

It depends if your state goes by the 2 heads per room rule, except for the head of household. Because he’s 4, he might be in the same room with you until the age of 5. After that then it’s possible you may get that extra bedroom. Hopefully you can just get the 2 bedroom if he’ll be turning 5 before your name is selected or thereafter.

You can’t just add kids unless you have a court order or if they’re [long-term] foster children. If your nephews live with you, are they on your lease? If your state allows it, you can get a larger unit as long as it doesn’t exceed voucher amount. I qualified for a 4 bedroom but live in a 5 bedroom. The rent for a 5 bedroom is less than my 4 bedroom voucher.

Yes, I was given a 2 bedroom voucher and I’ve been loving in a 3 bedroom for a year and before this apartment I lived in another 3 bedroom for 3 years As long as it’s in your price range they don’t mind

My son moved out I am now in 2bed room . I get disabled check for my health can I stay in a 2bed room ? Please let me know! He plans on coming home soon but not sure yet!

Did you remove your son from section 8 and/or the lease? If not, then you’d pay the same as you would normally pay. Did you say he was temporarily absent? If not, you may pay the difference between the rent and voucher because your supposed to be in a one bedroom. Section 8 will allow you to stay even if your son is removed as long as your rent is lower than the voucher. The only time they will ‘suggest’ you to move is if they see you can’t afford it. Even then they aren’t supposed to tell you to move.

DEPENDING ON WHAT STATE YOU’RE IN THEY MAY GIVE YOU A 3 BEDROOM…THEY MAY SAY BABY GIRL CAN SHARE A ROOM WITH YOU UNLESS YOU HAVE A COMPANION..THEY MAY PUT THE BOYS IN ONE ROOM…IT ALL DEPENDS BUT I’D GIVE YOU A 3 BDRM

Im not sure how they will figure out the bedroom size that your family qualifies for because technically only 2 out of your 5 children are required tonhave a bedroom by law. Ages 5 and under are not REQUIRED to have a bedroom. Plus they allow the living room to be utilized as sleeping space. So technically they COULD say your 2 oldest daughters get a bedroom, u, ur wife, &son get a bedroom, & 2 youngest girls can sleep in livingroom giving you a 2 bedroom. I doubt they would do that though. They will likely give u a 3 bedroom.

When your in a shelter, you do get priority so yes you going to the shelter helped

Just because they don’t consider certain rooms as bedrooms doesn’t mean you can’t use them as bedrooms. When you move in. Where you put your beds is your business!

I have a 3 bedroom voucher so I can get 4 brm.?

Deceased. My sons father is deceased. He passed away suddenly when mt son was 2 years old. Any more questions? ?

No one. Why would you think thats acceptable. The government is paying for u 2 live in a 2 bedroom.

Yes u can port it

You typically cant port until AT LEAST 1 yr.

Try private owned properties. Sometimes they will let you get a 2bdrm as long as your voucher covers the amount they are asking for. That’s how I was able to get a two bedroom house with a one bedroom voucher.

I was told a kid suppose to have their own room my friend works for section 8 ,could you tell me how much is your voucher because I will be receiving my voucher in two weeks please respond.

I am in Chicago Illinois and I asked about that, they said it only changes if you change your unit. If you stay in the same unit it will never change. No matter how much the voucher increases.

I found a place that wasn’t on the program and asked the landlord to apply to be on the program. It was approved and I was able to rent

No you will still have the one bedroom as a child under 5 can sleep in the same room and as far as your boyfriend goes you better be careful & no special parking prego or not

Don’t be greedy, I have 4 kids (4-18) and have a 2 bedroom, 2 in each room and i sleep in the living room

That is the same thing im going threw if you find a answer please post

I know it seems rude, but according to the rules above, you qualify for a one bedroom (maybe 2) and you should be sleeping in the living room.

you would need to apply for a special accommodation and get a paper from a doctor or therapist stating that due to the Adhd for therapeutic reasons would need a separate room

i am on section 8 and i was always told if you can not find a 2 bedroom you can get a 3 bedroom

I have a 2 bedroom voucher but my landlord has a 4 bdr that she’s willing to let me rent can I

I have a one bedroom 1200 a month income 793 a month how much do u think I will pay

No

No you do not.

From my experience I was able to get a three bedroom because my son has ADHD, mood disorder, and anxiety disorder therefore for safety reasons he needed his own room separate from his brother. The local HUD office gave me a form for his mental health doctor to fill out and once processed he was approved for his own room. However this form must be updated every year at least at our HUD office some have different rules where you only need it once if the illness is on going. Hope that helps

I’m disable I’m living in an apt now but I found a 2brmhouse..Do you think I can get in a house once my voucher comes..I live alone ..Unable to find 1bdrm house

You were lucky. My Housing Authority does not allow a mental health form to consider a seperate room. Im in San Diego California

I have a two bedroom voucher with a 17 yr old son and 3 yr old daughter. San Diego County in California does not consider age or gender. Terrible 🙁

According to the rules above, they expect you to use the living room as a sleeping room also.

If your rent portion went up all you have to do if find a 3 bedroom that your voucher can cover the rent

No you will not get a 3 bedroom until your baby gets 2 years old. Your baby have to sleep in your room.

I just looked it up and it says 2 people per bedroom if there the same sex they can’t expect a baby isn’t going to get sleep or your boys will be woken up by the boys so I’m pretty sure they can’t downsize you but Google the size limit of bedrooms for section 8

Every housing authority also has public housing for apartments or tosn house dwellings. You can apply for that too. Or I guess you get on a waiting list for section 8 unless youre living in substandard conditions. I think and not sure. Just call them.

I have got it. Yet i was wondering how much

My mum lives with her partner and my 13 year old sister she has a 2 bedroom house I have just left care along with my 3 week old daughter and wanting to move in with my mum how many bedrooms would she be entitled to ?

You should get a 5 bedroom at least and it would be two girls room the adults room there younger boys room and the 17 year old should have his own room

You will get a bedroom for every two people regardless of age or gender

how much is your voucher for 2 kids

I absolutely agree. But housing now does not care about gender or age of ur kids. Im in San Diego California.

where do u live? because in San Diego California both your daughter and son would be sharing a bedroom. Dont move… u are inva good place

In Texas 2 heartbeats per room …2 bedrooms…but if you can find a 3 in your range and landlord is ok with it (some aren’t) Houston allows this. Also, there are many units with a study or loft you can use as a room. Please be aware that you are not guaranteed a voucher when you move. I have been in the office so many times and people are crying because they were told they could move and their caseworker called ahead to approve the move but can’t get a voucher and have no where to go. One was from Dallas.

Thank you so much for your comment. I am also in Houston, have a 5 bedroom voucher (can live in 6) but live in a 3 bedroom with 2 adult disabled children, 4 legally adopted (grand)children, 2 other grandchildren. Yes that is 9 heartbeats. Most with disabilities. We use the family room as a bedroom for daughter and her 2. 1 room for adult son with autism. 1 room for 2 boys and 1 room for me(often 1 or 2 little ones in my room) and loft for girl with autism and boy. I have walls made from bookshelves and thin panel in between. Yes it is a big 3 bedroom but not an uncommon one. It’s easy to add curtains to a little area in a bedroom for a toddler or take the door off a walk in closet to use as a small room. I have seen a thin bed with storage in a thin closet where sliding doors were taken out. Make due. Ask for what you NEED someone else has helped make this possible whether you work or don’t and others also still NEED help. I wonder how many of you would insist on only needing a 1 or 2 bedroom with more than 2 hb per room if you were paying all of your own rent…. AND BTW PLEASE STOP DESTROYING WHERE YOU LIVE AND GIVING US ALL A BAD RAP.