Jonah JacobsDo you find that most of your monthly income is going to your landlord? Is that making it impossible to pay your other bills? If so, then the Section 8 program may be right for you, as it can ensure you only pay 30 percent of your income towards rent so you can start saving for other expenses.
While Section 8 vouchers can save the day for low-income households, there’s one big problem with the program: It’s tough to get into. No, it’s not necessarily tough to qualify for Section 8 if your income is below a certain level, but it’s tough to get on a waitlist since the demand for vouchers dramatically exceeds the supply.
Difficulties Getting Section 8 Vouchers
Getting on a Section 8 waitlist is good news, as it means you qualify for the program and are in line to get your voucher. Here’s the bad news, though: Some waitlists can take up to 10 years to process, and there’s little chance you can wait that long for affordable housing.
Does this mean that Section 8 isn’t worth your time? Not at all, because even though it’s notorious for long waitlists that can be tough to get onto in the first place, some people have had luck getting into affordable housing in as little as six months or less. What are their secrets? Here’s a sampling of them, and as you’ll notice, most of these tips have one thing in common: Persistence. In other words, if a Section 8 door closes on you in one area, keep trying in others until you get a yes.
Tips To Get On A Section 8 Waitlist
Never Give Up
You’ll run into housing agencies that tell you their waitlists are closed. Others will tell you that you can only apply for Section 8 in one place. Some may not even answer their phones. Regardless, keep trying, as there are several ways to see Section 8 success.
Do This When A Waitlist Is “Closed”
Just because one waitlist in your area closes due to excessive demand doesn’t mean it’s the only one that can suit your needs. Most small cities have 10 or more waitlists where you can apply, while big cities can have 50-plus that you can try to get on.
If you find specific assistance programs or Section 8-approved buildings that you really like, call them at least once a month to see when their waiting list will open.
You have to be persistent here, as some waitlists will open one day per year.
Make A List Of Housing Options
The more Section 8 options you have, the better. You can use this map to find Section 8 housing and start making phone calls to see if there are any availabilities.
Apply Directly To Buildings
Some people don’t like the runaround they get with Public Housing Agencies, as some make it a lot harder to get Section 8 than it should be. To avoid this issue, especially if your PHA isn’t helping, apply directly to buildings.
Some low-income buildings have their own funding, which can help you bypass the need for a voucher. If you don’t need a voucher, you don’t need to get on a waiting list that can take years to process. You can use the map above to find Section 8 buildings or do a Google search for Section 8 buildings in your area.
Expand Your Possibilities
Make a list of other cities, counties, and states where you could move. You may have better luck getting on a Section 8 waiting list there due to less demand. And if that’s the case, relocating would be well worth it.
Mark Luigi Dacumos
