Section 8 Housing

Section 8 housing is a form of government subsidization for low income and poverty stricken Americans to help individual either stay in their homes or help them pay for affordable living in the United States. Section 8 housing is operated by the Housing and Urban Development program, HUD. Each year HUD helps 3.1 million Americans stay in low-income housing. This is done through the housing voucher program. If you qualify for subsidization by the federal government through section 8 housing then you will get a housing voucher that will authorize your landlord to seek payment of rent from HUD. Section 8 housing usually requires that the tenant pay up to 30% of the rent for section 8 housing. However, in some situation HUD will waive all payments for rent depending on the specific situation.

How to Apply for Section 8 Housing

Section 8 housing is usually a last resort for people who are down on their luck as far as employment and savings. If you feel that you need to file for section 8 housing you should do so immediately upon the thought that it may be necessary. HUD receives numerous applications for section 8 housing annually and it can take from 6 months to 2 years for final determination of an individual application to be made. This is often too late for many people and because of that it is important to file early. You may file for section 8 housing by going to one of the many Public Housing Agencies located throughout the United States. You may find a list of them at www.hud.gov or by calling 1-800-955-2232. You must go to the office in person to fill out the application. Bring all your personal and financial documents including your current lease, pay stubs for the past 6 months as well as social security payments for the last 6 months. Be sure to bring all information that the representative from HUD will find useful in analyzing your situation. Remember, the longer it takes for all the information to be gathered the longer it will be before your application for section 8 housing is approved.

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