Section 8 housing is a program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, officially called the Housing Choice Voucher Program. This program offers rent assistance to qualified low-income renters and gives them the ability to rent apartments and homes at reasonable rates. While this program is federally funded, it is administered by state-run Public Housing Authorities, or PHAs, at the local level. Over 5 million people across the United States use Section 8 vouchers.
Eligibility for Section 8 Housing in New Orleans
You must first see if you meet Louisiana’s initial requirements, which are threefold: an annual gross income limit, your citizenship status, and a background check. The annual gross income limit is different throughout Louisiana, and even New Orleans, as it changes based on each area’s median income. Other factors that may affect your eligibility include family size, family composition, personal history, current living situation, credit history, eviction history, and criminal history. You may notice that HUD commonly uses the term “family,” but that just refers to any household with one or more people.
How to Apply for Section 8 Housing
You can apply for the Housing Choice Voucher program in person at your local PHA office. At this time you cannot apply online. The staff at your local PHA office will guide you through the application process, help you attach the necessary documentation, and answer any questions you may have.
You can expect to provide information such as your gross annual income, family size, full names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, genders, ethnicity, and household status for each family member. Specific income information like tax returns, pay stubs, assets, and other sources of income will likely be needed also. You may need to provide your citizenship status with a voter’s registration card, birth certificate, passport, or valid visa.
Waiting List
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 may want to apply to several different PHAs if you are able. Usually, extremely low-income families are prioritized, but preference may be given to families in other situations, such as those with children, elderly members, or members who have disabilities. The local PHA goes case by case, taking into consideration your specific situation. Make sure to check the waiting list frequently, as it continuously changes and a failure to respond will result in removal from the list.
Vouchers
When you reach the top of the waiting list, you are provided with your housing voucher and can begin the search for a qualified rental unit. When you’ve found suitable housing, the program will use your voucher to directly pay your subsidy amount to the landlord. This will leave you with the responsibility of paying the difference between the cost of the rent and the subsidy amount. To keep receiving your voucher, you will need to meet the program requirements every month.
How To Find Section 8 Rentals
Louisiana allows tenants to find and choose their own rental properties. You can use Zumper to look for subsidized units. You can also ask your local PHA for a list of units or use the HUD Resource Locator online. Most rental listings will say whether or not they accept housing vouchers, so keep an eye out for the ones that do.
Section 8 Guide: New OrleansThe process of getting and using a Section 8 housing voucher can be daunting if you don’t know where to start. We hope we’ve provided you with enough information to feel comfortable with the process. For more resources, please visit the HUD Housing Website for Louisiana.
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