Do you meet the Section 8 requirements in Delaware? In order to find out, you must review the eligibility criteria in this state. Overall, the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program is a national program funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). However, be mindful that certain rules vary depending on where you live.

As a general rule, you must meet the DE Section 8 qualifications established by your local Public Housing Agency (PHA) in the state. This is because each PHA has the authority to open or close its waitlist or accept only certain applicants. For instance, some PHAs currently accept only homeless applicants. To learn more about these requirements for Section 8 housing eligibility, read the sections below.

What are the Section 8 requirements in Delaware?

Meeting the qualifications for Section 8 eligibility in Delaware means that you qualify under the residency, citizenship and income criteria. For example, in order to qualify based on residency, you must live within DE.

To qualify based on citizenship, you must be a U.S. citizen or a legal non-citizen. Essentially, this means that you must be able to provide a Social Security Number (SSN). If you do not have an SSN, you may still qualify, but must you provide documentation from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

As a non-citizen, you also need to provide proof of your legal status. This proof must have been issued by a federal administration and it cannot be expired.

Next, both citizen and non-citizen applicants must meet the Section 8 income limits in Delaware. As a general rule, these exact limits are updated annually to reflect the income levels in each county. Consequently, different counties may have different income limits.

Note: Some county housing authorities have not updated their income limits because their waitlists are not open.

Lastly, you are only able to meet Section 8 housing eligibility if you and your family pass a background check. If you have the following crimes listed on your record, your application may be denied:

• Drug-related crimes
• Possession of a firearm
• Violent crimes

What are the Delaware Section 8 income limits?

Once you gain an understanding of the Section 8 housing requirements in DE, you must review the income requirements. Generally, the lower your income, the more likely it is that you will qualify for the HCV program.

As an example, if your family has an income below 50 percent of the median income in your area, you may qualify. However, you are more likely to qualify if your family’s income is below 30 percent. Some PHAs in the state have websites that list the most current income limits so you can check where your income falls.

As an example, the Section 8 income guidelines at the Newark Housing Authority state that a two-person family with an annual income below $33,300 may qualify. A two-person family with an income below $20,000 is even more likely to qualify. This is because federal law requires all HCVs to offer 75 percent of their vouchers to extremely low-income families.

When calculating your earnings, you must account for earned and unearned income. For instance, you must indicate whether you receive assistance from other federal programs, including:

• The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
• Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program.
• The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

The Section 8 requirements state that other forms of unearned income which will be counted include:

• Cash on hand.
• Stocks and bonds.
• Money in certain savings accounts.

Vehicles are not usually counted. Get more information on the income requirements when you download our informative guide.

Which documents do I need to meet Section 8 requirements in Delaware?

If you meet all the Section 8 qualifications in DE, you must provide your PHA with proof. This is why you are required to bring or send certain documents to your PHA.

A caseworker will review them in order to verify the information you provided on your application. Important documents you may be required to provide include:

• Proof of citizenship. This may be a U.S. driver’s license, birth certificate or state ID.
• Proof of legal non-citizenship if you are an immigrant. This may be a visa, permanent resident card, admitted refugee form and other approved documents.
• Proof of residency in the state. This may be a utility bill or lease agreement.
• Proof of employment. This may be a paycheck or employment verification letter.

You may also have to prove your Section 8 eligibility by providing medical documents. If you have a disability, for instance, your medical documents will be used to verify your disability and your monthly medical expenses. In addition, you may need to provide proof of enrollment in an education or training program if you are a student.

Which Delaware Section 8 housing requirements do I have to meet?

If your earnings fall below the Section 8 income limits in DE and you meet the other qualifications, you may be approved for housing vouchers. At this time, you must agree to abide by the housing requirements.

These requirements are in place so that you select a house that is safe, sanitary and in a reasonable price range. Once you reach the top of the waitlist, you may begin your search for new housing. You can also choose to stay in your current housing, depending on the circumstances.

Whatever home you choose must be managed by a landlord who complies with the HUD Section 8 requirements. As such, these landlords must be pre-approved by your PHA.

In addition, your housing unit must meet the HCV safety criteria. In order to make sure that these guidelines are met, your local PHA will send an inspector to evaluate the housing unit and ensure there are no causes for concern. If you need help finding a rental unit that complies with these requirements, you may use a housing list.

What happens if I don’t meet the Section 8 qualifications?

There is a chance that your PHA will decide you do not have Section 8 housing eligibility and will therefore send you a denial notification. If you disagree with this decision, you may request an informal hearing.

As a general rule, you must contact your local PHA within the timeframe indicated on your denial notification. Otherwise, you risk giving up the opportunity.

At the hearing, you may explain why you believe the decision was a mistake. You are also allowed to have a representative take part in the hearing in your place.