Florida Section 8 Housing Programs for low income – Housing vouchers provided by Section 8 in Florida are part of a federally funding program for low-income, disabled and elderly residents to afford a place to live. What are the Section 8 benefits? Families eligible for services receive vouchers – also called vouchers – which they use to pay rent on their homes. Here you’ll find information on how to apply for Section 8 in Florida, which includes all counties in the state. The County of Miami-Dade, which is currently accepting applications for Plan 8 Miami-Dade, is also worth mentioning. Please find below all the details and requirements to apply for Plan 8 housing in Miami-Dade County
Currently, Florida has a large number of people eligible for Section 8 assistance. There are waiting lists for the help in most cities, and each PHA sets its own rules for granting Section 8 vouchers. Florida Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) run the Housing Choice Voucher Program by ensuring that the federal aid for the program is administered by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). PHAs prioritize certain homes according to the needs of the community. This is to make sure that the Section 8 program only aids the most in needy households.
Highlights of this Post
How does section 8 housing work in Florida
In Section 8 of the Housing Choice Voucher Program, there is a choice of two ways to use the vouchers. Applicants who qualify for vouchers can choose to live in apartment buildings or rent apartments on the private market. A portion of the total rent will be paid by the PHA in these cases to ease the financial burden.
Depending on the size of the family unit and their needs, those receiving this assistance can obtain single-family houses, townhouses or apartments. Beneficiaries who live in subsidized housing units will be leasing from the PHA, which means that the agreement between them will be a lease.
If the tenant meets the lease conditions and earns less than the minimum income level, the lease will last for the length of the lease. Rental costs typically comprise up to 30% of a household’s income (after all deductions). Families or individuals who no longer meet this or any other requirement will have to find a home in a private housing community where rent is affordable.
Florida Section 8 Eligibility Criteria
In Florida, you must meet the minimum requirements for qualifying for Section 8 housing assistance. The requirements depend mostly on residency and income.
Residency restrictions
- At the time of application, the Head of Household (HOH) must be 18 years or older.
- Both singles and households with and without children can apply.
- US citizens or aliens with a valid immigration status may be considered eligible family members. The family member must reside in Florida.
Limitations on income
The eligibility for Section 8 is heavily influenced by household income. Each year, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sets income limits based on a variety of factors, including family size, median income, and location. Below are three categories of income limits:
- The median income is 80% of the national average.
- A very low percentage (50% of median income)
- The median income is extremely low (30%).
To qualify for Section 8 assistance, the family income must be very low or extremely low. As a general rule, a family’s income should not exceed 50% of the median income for the county or metropolitan area in which the family resides. Applicants whose income does not exceed 30% of the area median income are eligible for 75% of the PHA’s vouchers.
Other requirements for Florida section 8 Housing Programs
- To be eligible for the Florida Section 8 Program, applicants must meet the definition of a family unit. As defined by the program, a family unit can be a single individual or a group of individuals. In the program, families will be separated into four categories: families with children, senior families, displaced families, and one-person families.
- According to the rules established for the program, being a “good tenant” is another requirement. But what does this mean? Drug users or criminals connected to drugs are not eligible to apply under this program because they have been reported for serious misconduct or evicted from a public housing unit or any other Section 8 facility.
Miami-Dade Plan 8 Requirements to apply
The Miami-Dade Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has specified income requirements for Miami-Dade Section 8 applicants for the current year.
Miami-Dade Plan 8 Income Chart
| Number of people in the household | Annual income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $31,650 |
| 2 | $36,200 |
| 3 | $40,700 |
| 4 | $45,200 |
| 5 | $48,850 |
| 6 | $52,450 |
| 7 | $56,050 |
| 8 | $59,700 |
How to apply for section 8 housing in Miami Dade county
Plan 8 benefits are being made available to about 5,000 families in Miami-Dade through an updated registration period. The form can be filled out online by going to this link: miamidadevoucher.myhousing.com or it can be presented at authorized libraries:
- The main library is located downtown at 101 West Flagler Street
- The North Dade Regional campus is located at 2455 NW 183 St. in Miami Gardens.
- The Westchester Regional campus is located at 9445 Coral Way.
- The South Dade Regional Campus is located at 10750 SW 211 Street in Cutler Bay.
The application is available from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, Monday through Friday, and from 12 pm to 6 pm on Saturdays. Disabled people may request help to complete the application by calling 786-654-8440 from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Eastern Standard Time.
Heads of households (HOHs) are responsible for ensuring that your household submits a single form containing information for all family members. The household will be excluded if it submits more than one application. In the same way, if a form with false or incomplete information is submitted, you will be penalized.
To apply, make sure you have all family members’ full names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers (SSNs) available. In order to receive benefits, any family member without a Social Security number will be required to sign a certification at the time of the initial eligibility interview stating they don’t have a Social Security number.
I Have applied for the Plan 8 waiting list, what’s next?
A confirmation number will be emailed to you after you apply to ensure the form was successfully transmitted. It is not a guarantee that you will be placed on the waitlist, you simply apply and wait to be accepted. You will be put on the waiting list if your family is determined to be eligible by the PHA (Public Housing Authority). You will be notified when your turn to be on the list has arrived by mail or email, but if you do not respond to this notification, your name will be removed from the list.
For more information about Plan 8, please visit: Since Plan 8 applications in Miami-Dade do not cost anything, you should turn down any housing voucher offered as part of a scam. As a result, state authorities strongly encourage you to report this suspicious activity to the Miami-Dade Police Department, Economic Crimes Division Office at 305-994-1000.
Keep your place on the waiting list
The PHA must be notified within 10 business days of any change in your address, phone number, income, or family size, or you might lose your place on the list. It is mandatory to notify all of these changes in writing, and you can do so online.
How to apply for Section 8 assistance in Florida?
You will need to contact your local PHA to apply for Section 8 assistance. Online applications are offered by some PHAs, while paper applications are required by others. If you are submitting a paper application, you can either fill out the form yourself or ask a PHA worker for help. During the application process, the PHA will ask for information about your family and income, as well as current and former tenants.
Requirements for houses to rent for Section 8 in Florida
It is possible to get Section 8 assistance only if the house meets the program’s requirements. As such, a unit must be both safe and hygienic in order to qualify.
Waiting lists for Section 8 in Florida
PHAs decide how to manage their local waiting lists. Section 8 waiting lists for Florida’s two largest public housing authorities, Miami and Orlando, can differ from one to the other.
Miami Section 8 Waiting List
Candidates are ranked and numbered according to their qualifications in Miami. The closer the candidate comes to receiving assistance, the sooner they will be selected.
Orlando Section 8 Waiting List
On the Orlando Housing Authority’s voucher list, applicants are placed on a waiting list for vouchers. People who meet the local preference requirements may still be able to expedite the process.
Opening of waiting lists in Florida
According to Florida housing listings, Section 8 properties are available at different times, depending on availability in every location. It’s important to understand your area’s housing regulations if you’ve just moved. Florida has dozens of housing authorities. You will find a list of the PHAs in the state at the end of this article, and we’ve included their contact information like address, phone number, and fax number, so you can easily find and reach them.
List of PHAs in Florida
| County Name | PHA OFFICE Address |
|---|---|
| Apalachicola | Apalachicola Address: 141 15th Street Apalachicola, Florida 32329 Phone Number: (850) 653-9304 Fax: (850) 653-2473 |
| Alachua County | Alachua County Address: 703 NE 1st Street Gainesville, FL 32601 Phone number: (352) 372-2549 Fax: (352) 373-4097 |
| Arcadia Housing Authority | Arcadia Housing Authority Address: 7 Booker T. Washington Road Arcadia, Florida 34266 Phone Number: (863) 494-4343 Fax: (863) 494-5364 |
| Avon Park | Avon Park Address: 21 Tulane Drive Avon Park, FL 33825 Phone Number: (863) 452-4432 Fax: (863) 452-5455 |
| Baker County | Baker County Address: c/o Macclenny Housing Authority Macclenny, FL 32063 Phone number: (904) 259-3287 Fax: (904) 259-6881 |
| Bartow | Bartow Address: 1060 S. Woodlawn Ave. Bartow, FL 33830 Phone number: (863) 533-6311 Fax: (863) 533-0655 |
| Boca Raton | Boca Raton Address: 2333-A West Glades Road Boca Raton, FL 33431 Phone number: (561) 206-6200 Fax: (561) 206-6215 |
| Boley Centers | Boley Centers Address: 445 31st Street, North St. Petersburg, FL 33713 Phone number: (727) 821-4819 Fax: (727) 490-0541 |
| Bradenton | Bradenton Address: 912 7th Avenue East Bradenton, FL 34208 Phone number: (941) 932-9400 Fax: (941) 932-9534 |
| Brevard Co. | Brevard Co. Address: 1401 Guava Ave Melbourne, FL 32935 Phone number: (321) 452-8006 Fax: (321) 775-1551 |
| Brooksville | Brooksville Address: 800 Continental Drive Brooksville, FL 34601 Phone number: (352) 796-6547 Fax: (352) 796-4899 |
| Broward County | Broward County Address: 4780 N State Road 7 Lauderdale Lakes, Florida 33319 Phone number: (954) 739-1114 Fax: (954) 535-0407 |
| Carrfour Supportive Housing | Carrfour Supportive Housing Address: 1398 SW 1st Street Miami, FL 33135 Phone Number: (305) 371-8300 Fax: (305) 371-1376 |
| Chipley | Chipley 1370 Old Bonifay Road Chipley, FL 32428 Phone Number: (850) 638-0134 Fax: (850) 638-9119 |
| Citrus County | Citrus County Address: 3600 W. Sovereigh Path Lecanto, FL 34461 Phone number: (352) 527-7523 Fax: (352) 527-7531 |
| City of Miami | City of Miami Address: 444 SW 2nd Avenue Miami, FL 33130 Phone number: (305) 416-2080 Fax: (305) 416-2190 |
| Clearwater | Clearwater Address: 908 Cleveland Street Clearwater, FL 33755 Phone number: (727) 461-5777 Fax: (727) 443-7056 |
| cocoa | cocoa Address: 828 Stone Street Cocoa, FL 32922 Phone number: (321) 452-8006 Fax: (321) 775-1551 |
| Collier County | Collier County Address: 1800 Farm Worker Way Immokalee, FL 34142 Phone number: (239) 657-3649 Fax: (239) 657-7232 |
| Columbia County | Columbia County Address: 498 SW Juniper Way Lake City, Florida 32025 Phone number: (386) 752-4227 Fax: (386) 752-4229 |
| Crestview | crestview Address: 371 W Hickory Avenue Crestview, FL 32536 Phone Number: (850) 682-2413 Fax: (850) 689-4559 |
| Dania | Dania Address: 715 W Dania Beach Boulevard Dania Beach, FL 33004 Phone number: (954) 920-9662 Fax: (954) 920-9677 |
| Daytona Beach | Daytona Beach Address: 211 N. Ridgewood Avenue Daytona Beach, FL 32114 Phone number: (386) 253-5653 Fax: (386) 255-2136 |
| Deerfield Beach | Deerfield Beach Address: 533 South Dixie Hwy Suite 201 Deerfield Beach, FL 33441 Phone number: (954) 425-8449 Fax: (954) 425-8450 |
| Defuniak Springs | Defuniak Springs Address: 120 Oerting Drive Defuniak Springs, FL 32435 Phone number: (850) 892-2823 Fax: (850) 892-2823 |
| Delray Beach | Delray Beach Address: 600 North Congress Avenue Delray Beach, FL 33445 Phone Number: (561) 272-6766 Fax: (561) 272-7352 |
| Eustis | Eustis Address: 1000 Wall Street Eustis, FL 32726 Phone number: (352) 357-4851 Fax: (352) 357-8081 |
| Fat tip | Fat tip Address: 340 Gulf Breeze Avenue Punta Gorda, FL 33950 Phone number: (941) 639-4344 Fax: (941) 639-1753 |
| Fernandina Beach | Fernandina Beach Address: 1300 Hickory St. Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 Phone number: (904) 261-5051 Fax: (904) 261-8547 |
| Flagler County | Flagler County Address: 414 Bacher Street Bunnell, FL 32110 Phone number: (386) 437-3221 Fax: (386) 437-2311 |
| Fort Walton Beach | Fort Walton Beach Address: 27 Robinwood Drive SW Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 Phone number: (850) 243-3224 Fax: (850) 244-6533 |
| Ft Myers | Ft Myers Address: 4224 Renaissance Preserve Way Fort Myers, FL 33916 Phone number: (239) 344-3220 Fax: (239) 332-6695 |
| Gainesville | Gainesville Address: 1900 4th Street Gainesville, FL 32641 Phone number: (352) 334-4000 Fax: (352) 334-4010 |
| Green Cove Springs | Green Cove Springs Address: 321 Walnut Street Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 Phone number: (904) 529-2218 Fax: (904) 529-2242 |
| Haines City | Haines City Address: 502 E Hinson Ave Haines City, FL 33844 Phone Number: (863) 421-3680 Fax: (863) 421-3663 |
| Hendry County | Hendry County Address: PO Box 2340 La Belle, FL 33975 Phone number: (863) 675-5356 Fax: (863) 675-5323 |
| Hialeah | Hialeah Address: 75 E 6th Street Hialeah, FL 33010 Phone Number: (305) 888-9744 Fax: (305) 887-8738 |
| Hillsborough County | Hillsborough County Address: 3620 W. Humphrey St. Tampa, Florida 33614 Phone number: (813) 903-3400 Fax: (813) 903-3309 |
| Hollywood | Hollywood Address: 7350 N Davie Road Extension Hollywood, FL 33024 Phone number: (954) 989-4691 Fax: (954) 961-8010 |
| Holmes County | Holmes County Address: 902 N. Waukesha St. Bonifay, FL 32425 Phone number: (850) 547-1111 Fax: (850) 547-9411 |
| Homestead | Homestead Address: 29355 S. Federal Highway Homestead, FL 33030 Phone number: (305) 247-0639 Fax: (305) 248-3347 |
| Indian River County | Indian River County Address: 1028 20th Place Vero Beach, FL 32960 Phone number: (772) 770-5013 Fax: (772) 770-5378 |
| Jacksonville | jacksonville Address: 1300 Broad Street Jacksonville, FL 32202 Phone number: (904) 630-3810 Fax: (904) 630-3888 |
| Jefferson County | Jefferson County Address: 445 W Palmer Mill Road Monticello, FL 32345 Phone Number: (850) 877-1908 Fax: (850) 878-8785 |
| Lake County | Lake County Address: 1300 South Duncan Drive Tavares, Florida 32778 Phone number: (352) 742-6540 Fax: (352) 742-6535 |
| Lake Wales | Lake Wales Address: 10 W Sessoms Avenue Lake Wales, FL 33853 Phone number: (863) 676-7414 Fax: (863) 678-3508 |
| Lakeland | Lakeland Address: 430 Hartsell Avenue Lakeland, FL 33815 Phone number: (863) 687-2911 Fax: (863) 682-1226 |
| Lauderdale | Lauderdale Address: 437 SW 4th Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315 Phone number: (954) 525-6444 Fax: (954) 764-4604 |
| Lee County | Lee County Address: 14170 Warner Circle North Fort Myers, Florida 33903 Phone number: (239) 997-6688 Fax: (239) 997-7970 |
| Live Oak | Live Oak Address: 406 Webb Drive NE Live Oak, FL 32064 Phone Number: (386) 362-2123 Fax: (386) 364-8346 |
| Manatee County | Manatee County Address: 5631 11th Street E Bradenton, FL 34203 Phone number: (941) 756-3974 Fax: (941) 753-6983 |
| Mariana | Mariana Address: 2912 Albert Street Marianna, FL 32448 Phone Number: (850) 482-3512 Fax: (850) 482-3685 |
| Melbourne | melbourne Address: 1686 Marywood Road Melbourne, Florida 32934 Phone number: (321) 452-8006 Fax: (321) 775-1551 |
| Miami-beach | miami-beach Address: 200 Alton Road Miami Beach, FL 33139 Phone number: (305) 532-6401 Fax: (305) 674-8001 |
| Miami-dade | miami-dade Address: 701 NW 1st Court Miami, FL 33136 Phone number: (786) 469-4106 Fax: (786) 469-4199 |
| Milton | Milton Address: 5668 Byrom Street Milton, FL 32570 Phone Number: (850) 623-8216 Fax: (850) 626-9305 |
| Monroe Co. | Monroe Co. Address: Kennedy Key West, FL 33040 Phone number: (305) 296-5621 Fax: (305) 296-0932 |
| Mulberry | Mulberry Address: 200 NW 3rd Avenue Mulberry, FL 33860 Phone Number: (813) 752-0569 Fax: (813) 754-2163 |
| New Smyrna Beach | New Smyrna Beach Address: 1101 S Dixie Freeway New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168 Phone number: (386) 428-8171 Fax: (386) 427-3429 |
| Niceville | Niceville Address: 500 Boyd Circle Niceville, FL 32578 Phone number: (850) 678-7816 Fax: (850) 678-3011 |
| NW Florida Regional | NW Florida Regional Address: 5302 Brown Street Graceville, FL 32440 Phone Number: (850) 263-5303 Fax: (850) 263-9101 |
| Ocala | Ocala Address: 1629 NW 4th Street Ocala, FL 34475 Phone number: (352) 369-2636 Fax: (352) 369-2643 |
| Orange County | Orange County Address: 525 East South Street Orlando, FL 32801 Phone number: (407) 836-5150 Fax: (407) 836-5188 |
| Orlando | Orlando Address: 390 North Bumby Avenue Orlando, FL 32803 Phone number: (407) 895-3300 Fax: (407) 895-0820 |
| Ormond Beach | Ormond Beach Address: 100 New Britain Ave. Ormond Beach, FL 32174 Phone number: (386) 677-2069 Fax: (386) 677-3545 |
| Osceola County | Osceola County Address: 330 N. Beamont Avenue Kissimmee, FL 34741 Phone number: (407) 742-8400 Fax: (407) 742-8432 |
| Pahokee | Pahokee Address: 465 Friend Terrace Pahokee, FL 33476 Phone number: (561) 924-5565 Fax: (561) 924-1952 |
| Palatka | Palatka Address: 400 N 15th Street Palatka, FL 32178 Phone number: (386) 329-0132 Fax: (386) 329-3672 |
| Palm Beach County Housing Authority | Palm Beach County Housing Authority Address: 3432 45th Street West Palm Beach, FL 33407 Phone number: (561) 684-2160 Fax: (561) 684-0183 |
| Panama City | Panama City Address: 804 E 15th Street Panama City, FL 32405 Phone number: (850) 769-2358 Fax: (850) 785-1322 |
| Pasco County | Pasco County Address: 14517 7th Street Dade City, FL 33523 Phone number: (352) 567-0848 Fax: (352) 567-6035 |
| Pensacola City | Pensacola City Address: 420 W. Chase Street Pensacola, Florida 32501 Phone number: (850) 858-0350 Fax: (850) 595-0113 |
| Pierce Housing Authority | Pierce Housing Authority Address: 707 N 7th Street Ft. Pierce, FL 34950 Phone number: (772) 461-7281 Fax: (772) 466-3528 |
| Pinellas County | Pinellas County Address: 11479 Ulmerton Road Largo, FL 33778 Phone number: (727) 443-7684 Fax: (727) 489-0757 |
| Plant City | Plant City Address: 1306 Larrick Lane Plant City, Florida 33563 Phone Number: (813) 752-0569 Fax: (813) 754-2163 |
| Polk County | Polk County Address: 1290 Golfview Ave., Suite 167 Bartow, FL 33831 Phone number: (863) 534-5240 Fax: (863) 534-5383 |
| Pompano Beach | Pompano Beach Address: 321 West Atlantic Boulevard Pompano Beach, FL 33060 Phone number: (954) 785-7200 Fax: (954) 942-8142 |
| Riviera Beach | Riviera Beach Address: 2014 W 17th Court Riviera Beach, FL 33404 Phone number: (561) 845-7450 Fax: (561) 845-9665 |
| Sanford | Sanford Address: 94 Castle Brewer Court Sanford, FL 32772 Phone number: (407) 323-3150 Fax: (407) 688-1476 |
| Sarasota Co. | Sarasota Co. Address: 111 South Orange Avenue Sarasota, FL 34236 Phone number: (941) 951-3640 Fax: (941) 951-3648 |
| Seminole County | Seminole County Address: 662 Academy Place Oviedo, FL 32765 Phone number: (407) 365-3621 Fax: (407) 359-2576 |
| Springfield | Springfield Address: 3806 E 8th Street Panama City, FL 32401 Phone number: (850) 769-1596 Fax: (850) 769-7143 |
| St.Petersburg | St.Petersburg Address: 305 10th Street South St. Petersburg, FL 33705 Phone number: (727) 323-3171 Fax: (727) 552-1442 |
| Stuart | Stuart Address: 611 Church Street Stuart, FL 34994 Phone number: (772) 287-0496 Fax: (772) 287-4084 |
| Sumter County | Sumter County Address: 910 North Main Street Bushnell, FL 33513 Phone number: (352) 793-0272 Fax: (352) 568-6604 |
| Suwannee | Suwannee County Address: 611 S. Pine St. Bronson, FL 32621 Phone number: (352) 486-5420 Fax: (352) 486-5423 |
| Tallahassee | Tallahassee Address: 2940 Grady Road Tallahassee, FL 32312 Phone Number: (850) 385-6126 Fax: (850) 386-5534 |
| Tampa | Tampa Address: 1529 W Main Street Tampa, FL 33607 Phone number: (813) 253-0551 Fax: (813) 251-4522 |
| Tarpon Springs | Tarpon Springs Address: 500 S Walton Avenue Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 Phone number: (727) 937-4411 Fax: (727) 938-7161 |
| Titusville | Titusville Address: 524 S Hopkins Avenue Titusville, FL 32796 Phone number: (321) 267-4204 Fax: (321) 267-5631 |
| Union County | Union County Address: 715 W Main Street Lake Butler, Florida 32054 Phone number: (386) 496-2047 Fax: (386) 496-0711 |
| Venice | Venice Address: 312 E. Venice Avenue Venice, FL 34285 Phone number: (941) 488-3526 Fax: (941) 486-0418 |
| Volusia County | Volusia County Address: 110 West Rich Ave. Deland, FL 32720 Phone number: (386) 740-5112 Fax: (386) 822-8096 |
| Wakulla County | Wakulla County Address: 11 Bream Fountain Rd. Crawfordville, FL 32327 Phone number: (850) 926-7962 Fax: (850) 926-7311 |
| Winter Park | Winter Park Address: 718 Margaret Square Winter Park, Florida 32789 Phone Number: (407) 645-2869 Fax: (407) 629-4575 |
Steps to receive Section 8 vouchers in Florida
It is finally time to begin receiving your Florida Section 8 vouchers after being selected on the Florida Section 8 waiting list. A typical Florida Section 8 voucher process goes as follows:
Step 1: Attend an interview
Once applicants are selected for the waiting list, they will usually be interviewed in person. Verifying their eligibility for assistance is the main goal and updating information as needed is the second purpose.
Step 2: Informative meeting for applicants
Occasionally, program participants will be given the opportunity to attend meetings to learn how vouchers work and the requirements they must meet to continue receiving assistance.
Step 3: Find a suitable home
Section 8 homes must all conform to the program’s requirements. Therefore, the amount of the payment must be considered “affordable” and the property must meet safety and hygiene standards.
Step 4: PHA Inspection
Prior to allowing you to use the voucher, a representative of the local housing authority must inspect the property to ensure it meets the program’s requirements.
Step 5: Sign the lease
A lease can be signed with the owner after the inspection is completed.
Step 6: Contract between landlord and PHA
A housing assistance contract with the local PHA will also be executed at the same time as the lease. It may also be necessary for the owner to attend an informational meeting.
Step 7: Annual inspections
An inspection by the local PHA will take place a few months before a lease renewal. What is the goal? The PHA will want to ensure that the housing unit still meets the program’s requirements. To determine if you still qualify for assistance, the PHA may also check your household income and family composition.
States that support Section 8 In United states
- Las Vegas Section 8 voucher for low income
- Los Angeles section 8 Housing for low income
- Texas section 8 Housing Vouchers for low income
- Illinois Section 8 program for low income families
- How to apply for section 8 in New York
- Missouri Section 8 Housing Program for low Income
- California Section 8 Low Income Housing Program
- How to Find Private Landlords That Accept Section 8
- Single Family Homes for Rent that Accept Section 8
