Search Housing Grants by typing your county

Over 2,000 programs and adding every day.

Some Section 8 waiting lists can take years to process. And statistics show that only about 25 percent of Section 8 applicants get the housing assistance they need through the program. Why is Section 8 so popular then? And why do people keep applying? Because if you succeed in getting a Housing Choice Voucher, you can save a ton of money on rent.

Many people pay over half of their income in rent. If this has been your situation for a while now, you know how hard it can be to keep up with your bills when most of your money’s going to the landlord. With a Section 8 voucher, you’ll only need to spend about 30 percent of your income on the rent. Who picks up the rest? The government via your voucher.

With such savings, you can start to build an emergency fund. You can pay down debt. You can have an easier time paying your other bills. And most important of all, you can gain stability.

To get to this point, you’ll need to contact your Public Housing Agency (PHA). They will help you begin your Section 8 application. If you qualify for assistance, you’ll be moved to a waiting list. And when your spot comes up on the waiting list, you’ll get your Housing Choice Voucher.

What’s next in the process? Using the voucher so you can move into your new place and start paying less rent. But to use your voucher correctly and get the most out of it, follow these tips:

Do:

• Know your voucher’s size limit. It will tell you how many bedrooms the home can have.
• Contact your PHA and ask what your rent price range should be. This will help you pinpoint properties that aren’t too expensive.
• Ask the landlord how much utilities usually cost. You’ll need to factor them into your budget.
• Ask the PHA what your utility allowance is.
• Look at all types of properties. Section 8 allows you to pick between apartments, townhomes, and single-family homes, as long as they meet program standards.
• Document everything when viewing properties, including the date, time, address, landlord name, property manager, etc. Keep these records to protect against potential discrimination.
• Search various online sites for Section 8 housing, such as the Facebook Marketplace, Zillow, Rently, and the HUD Resource Locator.

Don’t:

• Assume that Section 8 will pay a security deposit for the property you pick. You will have to pay it out of pocket. If you can’t afford it, search for security deposit assistance from your state.
• Sign a lease without having a PHA staff member review it with you. Some leases can be quite lengthy and complicated, and they could contain details that aren’t in your best interest.
• Forget to send the PHA a copy of the lease, request for tenancy approval, and any other paperwork.
• Forget about inspections. They’ll be necessary before you can move in.