The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funds the Section 8 housing program, officially known as the Housing Choice Voucher Program. Qualified low-income renters receive rent assistance through this program which gives them the ability to rent apartments and homes at a reasonable rate. While this program is federally funded, it is administered by state-run Public Housing Authorities, or PHAs, at the local level. Section 8 vouchers are used across the United States by over 5 million people .
Eligibility for Section 8 Housing in San Francisco
There are three main eligibility requirements in California: An annual gross income limit, your citizenship status, and household demographics. The annual gross income limit is less than 50% of the local median income, which for the metro area is around $117,400 for a family of four, but this may vary based on your specific location. The number of people in your household will also affect your gross income limit. While the main qualification factor is income, things like criminal history, citizenship status, and family composition may also be factors in eligibility.
How to Apply for Section 8 Housing
You can apply for the Housing Choice Voucher program by filling out an online application which has easy step-by-step directions. If you prefer, you can complete the application in person at your local PHA office where a representative can guide you through the process. You should expect to provide documentation like tax returns, pay stubs, birth certificates, Social Security numbers, and demographic information for each family member.
Once you fill out the application, it’ll take about two weeks to get notified whether you are denied or approved. Although the online application may sound easier, it’s a smart idea to work with a representative at your local PHA office. If your application is denied for any reason, even a simple mistake, you will not be able to reapply for at least one year.
San Francisco Waiting Lists
Once you have been approved, you will be put on a waiting list. The waiting list for your PHA may be short, long, open, or closed, so you will want check on your status often. Preference is given to households with extremely low incomes; households with members who are disabled, elderly, young, or pregnant; and households that are homeless or have substandard living conditions. The local PHA takes each specific situation into consideration, case-by-case.
Vouchers
Once you’ve successfully qualified, been approved, and gotten to the top of the waiting list, you’ll receive a Section 8 housing voucher. The program voucher will directly pay your subsidy amount to the landlord, and you’ll be responsible for any difference between the subsidy amount and the full rent amount. The amount of your voucher may change if your circumstance change, such as adding household members or an increase or decrease in salary.
How To Find Section 8 Rentals in San Francisco
California allows renters to find and choose their own rental properties. You can start looking for a unit by using Zumper, asking your local PHA for a list of units, or visiting the HUD Resource Locator online. San Francisco has a hot real estate market, so finding rental properties that accept Section 8 housing can sometimes be difficult. Most rental listings will clearly state whether or not they accept housing vouchers.
If you don’t know where to start, the process of applying for and using a Section 8 housing voucher seems intimidating. We hope we’ve provided you with enough information to feel confident about contacting your local PHA office. For more resources, please visit the HUD Housing Website for California.
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