Single Family Homes for Rent that Accept Section 8 – The Section 8 Program is a federal government-funded housing assistance initiative that is geared towards low-income families such as senior citizens, disabled individuals, single parents and needy families with minors. The program allows eligible individuals to rent single-family homes or other types of apartments in the private market based on their family size, income and other factors.
Around 4.5 million US residents are living in Section 8 housing and approximately 2 million of these individuals have dependents. Research states that more than 50% of these US residents remain in Section 8 single-family homes or apartments for more than five years. This guide will discuss Section 8 Federal Government Housing Grants For Low Income Families and how to qualify for them.
Highlights of this Post
What Is The Section 8 Program?
The Housing Act of 1937 authorized the Section 8 housing choice voucher program. The objective of the program is to assist elderly, disabled and low-income individuals throughout the country to access safe and affordable shelter. The vouchers refer to portable subsidies that eligible low-income individuals and families can use to reduce their rent for single family homes.
The US Department of Housing and Urban Development administers the program while administration of the eligibility criteria and distribution of funds are done by the Public Housing Authorities. To get a voucher for a single family home, interested individuals need to register with a public housing agency near them and reload an application form.
What Are Single Family Homes?
There are two types of houses on rent available such as apartments and public housing. The landlords build the houses in such a way that tenants can meet their needs. A single-family home can be built separately or built-in an apartment. Thus one can look for the house that they need and according to their family size.
However, in those single-family homes, there is one kitchen, and one or two bedrooms, to meet the needs of a single-family. Those types of homes are ideal for single families or families that have fewer members. Single family homes are built just for small families, large families do not adjust to these homes.
On approval for a voucher for single family homes, applicants have to find a single-family home that fits the condition of the Section 8 voucher and negotiate with the landlord about lease terms and rent. Upon approval of the lease the officials of the Public Housing Authority will inspect the single-family property to finalize whether it is deemed acceptable in terms of price, condition and livability and on approval will provide the voucher to the eligible tenant.
Read also: How To Get Apartments For People With Disabilities
How Does Single-Family Homes Under Section 8 Housing Work?
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program is a federally funded HUD designed rental assistance program wherein the vouchers are administered and distributed by public housing agencies throughout the United States of America.
Generally, the gross annual income of the person should not exceed 50% of the median income to qualify for Section 8 single-family homes. In addition, each public housing agency has to make sure that 30% of the vouchers go to families having income below 30% of the median income. As per research around 80% of United States households under Section 8 housing earn less than $20,000 every year.
Individuals qualifying for Section 8 single-family housing have to pay 30% of their income towards monthly rent and utilities while the balance will be paid to the landlord directly by the PHA. Following is how single-family homes under Section 8 Housing works in a nutshell.
- Low-income individuals or families who are going through a housing crisis or in need of rental assistance can apply for the Section 8 housing choice voucher program by contacting their local public housing authority.
- A limited supply of rental vouchers will be provided to candidates if their application gets approval so that they can secure private single family units outside the public housing. Apart from single-family homes, individuals can also secure other types of housing units like multifamily apartment buildings, condos, mobile homes, group homes or single rooms in an apartment or house.
- Only single-family homes that accept Section 8 rental vouchers can be used by the applicants. For the property to be rented under Section 8 the property manager or landlord should meet specific requirements as per the program. Depending on the Housing Authority applicants have 60 to 120 days for finding single-family homes.
- If the landlord of the single-family home accepts the applicant, the PHA will pay a part of the rent to the landlord every month on behalf of the applicant.
What Are The Types Of Section 8 Housing For Single-Family Homes?
There are primarily two different types of Section 8 housing which you can apply for:
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Tenant Based Single Family Homes
Tenant-based housing is a type of housing choice voucher program that is linked to the applicant. So long the applicant qualifies for the Section 8 Program they can use the rental voucher to rent any property in the United States of America
Section 8 properties must meet the housing quality standards of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The eligible family can then use the housing voucher in the rental unit or apartment.
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Project Based Single Family Homes
Project-based housing is a type of Section 8 house which is an auto program that is attached to the property instead of the applicant. In other words, the private property owner receives voucher help from public housing authorities to reserve units or apartments for Section 8 eligible renters.
While the tenant-based housing has greater portability and enables tenants to use the vouchers anywhere throughout the United States of America, the project-based vouchers stay within the property and can be used by the next tenants once the previous tenant moves out of the property.
What Are The Housing Quality Requirements That Single-Family Homes Need To Pass?
Any single-family home you choose to be approved for Section 8 housing has to meet the HQS or Housing Quality Standards that are outlined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. There are certain criteria for which single-family homes or any other type of house must meet to pass the quality standards.
- Cleanliness
- High air quality
- Working kitchen area
- Availability of water
- Sanitary bathrooms
- Working smoke detectors
- Working light and electricity
- Sound materials and structure
Moreover, the rent of the single-family homes must be comparable to other housing units in your area. The size of the single-family room should be appropriate based on the number of members in your household. Individuals who are not sure whether the single-family home they selected meet the requirements could seek guidance from their local PHA.
What Are The Eligibility Criteria To Qualify For A Single Family Home Under Section 8 Program?
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Income guidelines
To qualify for Section 8 single-family homes you need to make sure your income is less than 80% of the area’s median income. The area’s median income may differ depending on your state of residence. All the sources of income of applicants such as child support, overtime, welfare, retirement funds, disability benefits etc. are taken into consideration.
You can check the HUD online tool to determine whether you can qualify for single-family housing under the Section 8 program. The local public Housing Authority reviews the income guidelines for Section 8 single-family homes every year.
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Citizenship Status
Candidates should be a legal citizen of the United States or an immigrant to receive single-family home rental vouchers under the Section 8 program.
They have to provide proof of identity, citizenship or legal immigrant status of every family member to qualify for rent assistance. Undocumented immigrants will not be eligible to receive rental assistance under Section 8 housing assistance.
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Criminal History
Applicants have to undergo a criminal background check at the time of applying for a Section 8 single-family housing voucher. Having a criminal record will not disqualify you from automatically receiving rental assistance, however it is worth checking with the local public housing authority to understand their particular eligibility criteria and how having a felony or criminal history may affect you from receiving assistance.
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Eviction History
A person who has been evicted from public housing or Section 8 Housing voucher program for a criminal activity associated with drugs or serious lease violation will not be eligible to receive a Section 8 single-family housing voucher for a minimum of three years from the date of eviction. Applicants need to check the requirements with their local public Housing Authority if they have any eviction history from public housing authorities.
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Special Preference
Candidates applying for single-family housing under the Section 8 program are put on waiting lists that are often too long as a lot of people apply for the program. Sometimes the waiting list exceeds a year or two for the application to be approved. Depending on the urgency and financial need applicants can be moved up the waiting list.
Public housing authorities in most communities prioritize vulnerable communities who are homeless or on the verge of becoming homeless and are living in substandard housing. Special emphasis is given to victims of child abuse or domestic violence and families spending more than 50% of their monthly income on rent and utilities.
Steps To Find Single-Family Homes And Other Rentals That Accept Section 8 Vouchers
To find single-family homes or other rentals owned by a private owner that accepts Section 8 vouchers you can follow these steps
- Start your search by contacting your local PHA who can help you become aware of property owners that accept Section 8 vouchers. The HUD website lists the contact information of the public housing authority as per the state
- The next step is to check with your local HUD office to apply for the program and learn about rentals that accept vouchers. You can seek recommendations from your family members or friends for private landlords of single-family homes that accept vouchers
- You can search rentals.com website to find single-family properties in your local area. You can filter your search options to find options for income-restricted rentals.
Benefits of Renting Single Family Homes by Housing Choice Voucher
People who are looking for houses on rent or financial help for paying the rent can get benefits from the Section 8 housing choice voucher program. From this program, not only tenants get the benefit but also landlords can get benefits by renting single-family homes. Following are the list of benefits you can get through this program.
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Availability of Homes
For low-income families, it is tough to find affordable houses in their local area or closer to the city. Through the section 8 housing choice voucher program, the government makes sure that people will get affordable housing and they do not face more difficulties to have a house to live in.
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Low-cost Homes
You can get low-cost apartments for single-family homes, as the apartments are considered low-cost homes. You can get the apartment on rent according to the section 8 housing voucher program. It is because many landlords build apartments with the help of government subsidies so that they can build affordable homes for single families and provide them with affordable rent.
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Safe and Healthy Homes
The government makes sure about everything related to affordable housing for low-income families and others. With the section 8 housing program, the government ensures that the houses available for rent are safe and provided to everyone who is needy without any discrimination. So, everyone who needs help with houses on rent can get safe and healthy homes and can live there with their family
How do I find single family homes for rent that accept section 8 near me?
Here are some of the ways mentioned that you can use to find single-family homes with affordable rent and that accepts section 8. Let’s look at them:
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Search On-Site
If you want to know more about single family homes or apartments then you can directly visit the office or can contact your public housing authority. You can also seek recommendations from friends and family to know about single family homes that accept section 8.
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Check Your Voucher
If someone wants to use the section 8 housing voucher program’s benefit then he or she has to meet the requirements of the voucher program and apply for it. With this program, people will get help with single-family homes, duplexes, apartment condominiums, etc. But it is possible only in the condition when the landlords agree with the terms and conditions of the Section 8 housing voucher program. Whichever apartment or house you get on rent is based on your family size.
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Search Online
Nowadays, the easiest and simple way to know about anything is using the internet. One can search on Google for any kind of information. Thus you can search for single-family homes online as well go to the official Housing Development Website and get all the detailed information about the section 8 voucher program from there.
You can find many other Places That Help With Rent Assistance In Emergency from online resources like Craigslist.
Do Landlords Of Single Family Homes Have To Accept Housing Choice Vouchers?
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program allows property managers or private landlords to accept the vouchers and rent their single-family homes or apartments to low-income families at fair market rates. Public housing authorities sign a lease with the landlords and pay a part of their rent while the tenants pay the difference.
Generally, private landlords are not required mandatorily to accept Section 8 vouchers and participate in the housing assistance program as per federal law. Few states require private landlords to accept housing choice vouchers.
For instance, Maryland, Massachusetts and Connecticut are among the few states that cannot refuse to rent single-family homes or apartments to tenants who are eligible to qualify for Section 8 housing as per the American Apartments Owners Association.
What Is The Most Section 8 Will Pay Eligible Applicants?
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program determines the amount of financial assistance that applicants need to pay to their landlords based on different factors such as how much single-family homes generally rent for in the local area. Based on this the public housing authority determines the maximum assistance you need to pay to your private landlord.
The exact amount which the federal government pays for Section 8 single-family homes may vary based on the location of the property but generally, the amount ranges between 90% to 110% of the fair market rate. Renters of single-family homes under the Section 8 program have to contribute a small amount of their income towards rent.
This amount is generally 30% of their adjusted monthly income or around 10% of their gross income per month whichever is greater. Renters are also required to pay for the security deposits in the single-family homes they are living on rent.
Conclusion
Section 8 Single Family Homes has a plethora of advantages for low-income individuals and families in the United States of America. The program gives low-income households safe, secure, decent and sanitary accommodation in the private rental market at a reasonable cost. Moreover, it assists eligible individuals and families to take part in rent-to-own programs and become property owners as well. A popular variation of the Section 8 housing choice voucher program is the HUD Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing or HUD VASH which combines the housing choice voucher HUD for homeless veterans with clinical assistance provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How To Obtain Single-Family Homes For Rent That Accept Section 8?
To obtain single-family homes for rent that accept Section 8 you need to contact your local public housing authority office or HUD office. The Section 8 voucher program requires applicants to fulfill stringent eligibility criteria and give proof of personal details like social security number and income verification documents. On approval you can obtain a voucher and locate a single family home for rent provided the landlord of the single-family home accepts housing vouchers.
Can Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers be used for single-family homes?
Lots of single families, disabled people, single parents, senior citizens looking for affordable houses on rent, and for this, they put their everything. Thus to help those people the government came up with a section 8 housing voucher program. This program helps those families to find a home or apartment that is suitable for them.
What is the difference between project-based and tenant-based Section 8?
The project-based housing vouchers are used only for specific housing development. On the other hand, tenant-based housing vouchers are used for any house or rent by an owner who accepts section 8 and agrees with its terms and conditions.
Does the government fund section 8?
Yes, section 8 is funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Even this program is administered by the local Public Housing Agencies (PHAs), so that needy people will get help from section 8 with affordable rent houses.
