A Section 8 housing list in Delaware is a list of homes approved for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program. Several lists exist on different websites, though there are only a few lists sponsored by either the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) or local Public Housing Agencies (PHAs). In order for homes to make it onto these lists, they must meet a set of program requirements.

DE Section 8 listings do not have to be apartments. In fact, you may live in a condo, house or another approved type of home while using your vouchers. Moreover, there is no guarantee you will find the perfect housing unit for you and your family on an approved list. In other words, you are responsible for finding your own home and must continue searching through other means if you do not find something directly through the HUD website or your PHA.

What is an approved Section 8 housing list in Delaware?

If you are looking for low income apartments for rent in Delaware, your first step is to check at least one approved housing list. An approved list is one provided by the HUD or your local PHA. By using one of these lists, you know that any homes you find through that resource meet the HCV program housing standards.

Because of these aforementioned guarantees, you may want to use approved lists before trying general apartment for rent apps. The HUD department website, for instance, offers a resource locator that allows you to search for homes and nearby PHAs. It gives you information on HCV homes in the area, including:

• The number of bedrooms in each available unit.
• The number of buildings in the area that must offer units to low-income applicants.
• Contact information for available properties.

Note: The HUD resource locator does not provide information on the application process for these areas. It also does not state whether certain homes listed are vacant or not. For this reason, it is important to also check with your local PHA.

If you are looking for a list of low income apartments for rent, your most useful resource is likely to be the Delaware housing search website. This site is free to use and allows you to search for rentals based on your location. Listings are often detailed and include pictures, so you are able to compare apartments. Overall, you will be able to see information such as:

• Minimum deposit required
• Application fee amount
• The length of the lease
• Required credit and criminal checks to apply
• Pet regulations
• Included utilities

As with the HUD homes for rent listings, you can change the filters on the DE housing search website so that you will see only low-income housing units. These units will not be offered to applicants with incomes over a certain amount. You can also specify the following in your search:

• Your Veteran status, if applicable
• Your ideal rental cost range
• The housing type, such as apartment, condo, assisted living facility and other living spaces

Note: While certain PHAs, such as the New Castle County Housing Authority (NCCHA) have been posting listings of available units, they will begin phasing out these lists. This is due to the highly useful tools now developed, such as the DE housing search website.

Other Ways to Find Section 8 Listings in Delaware

If you are not satisfied with an approved Section 8 housing list in DE, you may also consider using a different service. The website GoSection8, for instance, lists low-income apartments in the state. You may sort through listings by:

• Specifying your preference for the number of bedrooms and bathrooms.
• Selecting a maximum monthly rent amount.
• Specifying that you want a home that allows pets.

As you look for Section 8 approved housing for rent, you may also consider the affordable housing online website. This site is slightly more difficult to navigate as it often shows housing ads that will take you to separate websites. However, you may consider using this platform to compare listings and the average rental cost in your area.

Keep in mind that these sites will list housing units that do not require vouchers. Consequently, house-hunters who are not approved for the HCV program may apply.

Lastly, you may look for Section 8 approved housing on online classified sites. While on them, you can specify your search to show listings that are available only to HCV recipients. However, you must be wary of scams on these platforms. Generally, a listing that looks too good to be true is probably a scam. To learn more about the various alternatives to approved listings, download our detailed guide.

Quality Standards for Section 8 Approved Housing in Delaware

As you browse through homes for rent that accept Section 8, you must remember that your PHA has to approve the home you choose. Thus, the home has to meet the quality standards set by the HUD department and DE.

First, the unit must have certain utilities that are safe to use and in working condition. As an example, there must be a separate bathroom in the home with a shower or tub that has hot and cold running water. There must also be a refrigerator that is large enough to accommodate the size of the family.

Homes and apartments for rent that accept Section 8 in Delaware must not have any health hazards either. The unit will be checked for hazards such as mold or pests. Its plumbing system and electrical system will also be checked.

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

Unfortunately, it may take a while to search through Section 8 rental listings and find a new home. However, it is important that you do not rush into a new lease.

As a general rule, you need to make sure that the home you select is a legitimate offer. If you are using a non-approved listing site and want to protect yourself from scams, you may consider:

• Asking if the landlord has been approved by the HCV program. You may ask for proof of this fact.
• Creating a junk email address. Nowadays, it is easy to create a new and free email account. You can use a new account to contact the owners, landlords or real estate agents on listings. This way, you will protect your real email address.
• Contact your county’s property appraiser or assessor office. You can call the office and ask if the landlord you are contacting is the real owner of the property.

Whether you are searching through GoSection8 active listings or another site’s listings, remember to never give out your Social Security Number (SSN) or banking information over the phone. It is important to note that you will not be required to submit any lease payments or deposits until the housing unit has been approved by your local PHA.