How to apply for Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)

Who it's for

The Housing Choice Voucher program (commonly called Section 8) helps very-low-income households rent housing in the private market. The household generally pays about 30% of its adjusted income toward rent and the voucher covers the rest, up to a local payment standard, so housing cost scales to income instead of market rent. Unlike Section 202, a voucher is not tied to one building — it can be used at any rental whose owner accepts it and that meets program rent and quality standards, and in California source-of-income discrimination law requires most landlords to consider voucher holders. Vouchers are administered by local Public Housing Agencies, each with its own waiting list; many California PHAs maintain senior or senior/disabled preference categories. The benefit is large in high-rent California markets, but voucher waiting lists are among the longest of any benefit — frequently 5 to 10+ years, and many are closed except during brief lottery openings.

What you'll need

• Proof of all household income for the prior 12 months (Social Security award letter, pension statements, prior-year tax return)
• Photo ID and Social Security card for each household member
• Proof of residency in the area where you're applying
• Documentation of assets (bank and investment statements)
• Each local Public Housing Agency runs its own application and waiting list — applications go to the PHA serving the area where you want to live (or your current area), not to HUD centrally

Where to apply

Renewals

annual income recertification once a voucher is issued