With so many families applying for
Section 8 housing, the waiting list has become longer and longer.
This happens because there are often more applicants than there are
available vouchers. If you have been waiting for quite a while, then
you should check your status to know what is going on.
How to Check Your Status
If your local housing authority has a
website, or you applied online, then look for a link for “status
update” or something similar. If there isn’t one, call or email
your local PHA and ask them about the status of your application. If
you applied in Bangor, Maine, contact the PHA there or wherever city
or county you applied at, as it is the one that is processing these
applications.
Before you call and make sure that you
have your ID, Social Security number and other documents related to
Section 8 as you will be asked about this. Provided you have the
necessary documents and identification, the PHA staff should be able
to tell you about the status of your application, including where you
are.
Call the Local HUD
Another option is to get in touch with
the local HUD in your areas, as it is responsible for the voucher
program. They also have numerous branches in all the states and many
cities so you can visit them in person. You can also go online where
you will find your respective HUD’s email address, fax, phone
number, office address and the name of its director.
No matter how long you have been on the
waiting list, rest assured that their staff will be able to notify
you about your status as everyone who has applied is included in the
database. If you are checking your status online, you may need to log
in using your birth date or other personal information.
About Section 8 Grants
Section 8, officially known as the
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, enables you to stay at a
non-HUD property or facility. This program is obviously aimed at
families with limited income and is forced to spend a great deal of
their monthly income on the rent.
Under this program, your family only
has to spend 30% of the monthly income. For many families this is a
huge relief as they no longer have to pay more than 50%. The
remaining amount of the rent will be paid for by HUD.
While the 50% under the median income
rule is followed by all HUDs and PHAs, other rules concerning
application, qualification and eviction will vary from state to
state. For example, some states have a rule wherein a tenant can be
evicted if the family members in the apartment increase without prior
notice, but in others this is not so, so you need to get the facts
straight.
Also, it is the local PHA that will
determine if an applicant is eligible or not. If they are eligible,
the PHA will then calculate how much they can help, but you will
never have to spend more than 30% of your monthly income on rent no
matter what.
It also goes without saying that anyone
who wants to apply must be an American citizen or the immigrant
status is eligible. Proof of this has to be shown. This is one of the
most basic requirements for the program, otherwise you will not be
accepted.
Bio: Dan Fournier has written and
published several articles
about Section 8, the way it has helped millions of Americans and
the challenges that it faces. Fournier also has a blog where he
writes about the politics in Washington, D.C. where he lives.