An Alaska Section 8 housing list is a useful tool for finding an apartment or home to rent in the state. Once you are granted a housing choice voucher, you may browse through Section 8 listings to find suitable apartments that will accept your voucher.

Before looking for Section 8 approved housing for rent, it helps to understand that housing choice vouchers in the state are only issued by the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC). Read below to learn more about finding homes for rent that accept Section 8 vouchers issued by the AHFC.

What is an approved Section 8 housing list in Alaska?

Alaska Section 8 approved housing includes homes, apartments and townhouses that accept housing choice vouchers. When you receive a voucher, the AHFC office may provide you with an official list of local properties for rent. You can also search for local rentals on the AHFC’s website.

Keep in mind that there are more than a dozen AHFC offices in the state, and each one serves a different community. The exact policies may vary depending on which location issued your voucher.

In most cases, you can find low income apartments for rent that are owned and managed by the local AHFC. These properties may or may not be public housing projects.

As the recipient of a housing choice voucher, you do not necessarily need to live in a project. Instead, you have the freedom to rent any home or apartment that meets the program requirements.

If the AHFC office gives you an official Section 8 housing list to consider, it may only include properties in housing projects and low-income apartment buildings. Just keep in mind that you can use your voucher to rent any acceptable unit on the open market.

If you do not receive information on Section 8 rental listings in your area, you can use resources provided by HUD to find a rental. HUD homes for rent listings may include:

• Single-family homes
• Townhomes
• Units in regular apartment complexes
• Units in public housing project
• Low-income apartments

Ultimately, it is your responsibility to find a unit to rent. Even if you receive a Section 8 housing list, the AHFC may or may not be able to provide hands-on assistance in helping you find a place to rent. Learn more about finding apartments for rent that accept Section 8 by downloading our comprehensive guide here.

Other Ways to Find Section 8 Listings in Alaska

There is a variety of apartments for rent apps and other resources that you can use to find a place to rent. Some of these resources are made just for low-income property listings. For example, you can search GoSection8 active listings to see if there are any units for rent in your area.

You can usually find Section 8 rental listings on any apartment searching website or app. However, it can be more difficult to find exactly what you are looking for on these websites due to the fact that the search results are more varied.

When using a mainstream website for finding an apartment, be sure to read each listing carefully. Some of these search engines may refer to Section 8 listings using different terminology.

For example, homes for rent that accept Section 8 may be referred to as income-restricted properties. When in doubt, you can always ask a landlord directly if he or she takes vouchers.

Keep in mind that not all apartments will be advertised online. It is a good idea to broaden your search to include local newspapers and other types of advertisements.

Quality Standards for Section 8 Approved Housing in Alaska

When going through a list of low income apartments for rent, it helps to understand what requirements your new home has to meet. The AHFC has certain quality standards that your apartment must meet before you can rent it. These requirements are put in place for your health and safety.

The health and safety standards are determined by HUD and enforced by the AHFC. If you receive another type of rental assistance from a different PHA in Alaska, keep in mind that these organizations usually use HUD’s standards as well. The unit you rent must:

• Have acceptable heating, cooling, plumbing and water supply.
• Have walls, ceilings and floors that are in good condition.
• Be properly wired and have enough lights and outlets.
• Have working locks, latches doors and windows that are in acceptable condition.
• Be free from rodent and pest infestations.
• Be large enough for a family of your size.

If you receive a voucher from the AHFC, the unit you rent must also be leased by a landlord who is willing to take Section 8. Not all low income apartments for rent will accept vouchers.

Tips to Help You Find Low Income Apartments for Rent in Alaska

The most important thing to keep in mind when browsing Section 8 listings in Alaska is that you must use your voucher before it expires. The AHFC initially gives you 60 days to locate an acceptable apartment to rent.

If you are unable to find any Section 8 approved housing within this timeframe, you may apply for an extension. The maximum amount of time you will have to search for a home is 120 days.

To make your search go more smoothly, it helps to have all of your application materials ready ahead of time. The rental market can be competitive in some cases, and you may miss out on an apartment if you are not ready to apply for a lease right away.

It is also important to understand where you can use your voucher. In some cases, the AHFC office that issued your voucher will require that you only look at Section 8 listings in your area. You may need to meet certain requirements to be eligible to move out of the area.

It is possible to move into Alaska if you currently receive Section 8 assistance in a different state. However, when looking for Section 8 rental listings in Alaska, you will need to follow certain rules.