Learn About Section 8 Housing in Florida
Section 8, which is also known as the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, offers federal assistance to families in need by providing them with vouchers. Qualified applicants may use these vouchers to search for a home in their area that meets the health and safety requirements set forth by the program. Then, vouchers will cover a certain portion of the rent, and beneficiaries will only be expected to cover the remaining monthly cost.
This low income housing program is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) at a federal level. However, Section 8 in Florida is administered by local Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) throughout the state. As of 2019, 214,000 households or 451,000 residents receive assistance in the state. Seniors, children and people with disabilities make up 70 percent of those beneficiaries.
You may want to apply for Section 8 housing in FL if you live in unsafe and/or unsanitary conditions and cannot afford to move to a better home. Overall, it is important to understand the eligibility criteria for HUD housing and the application process, so that you know what to expect. Moreover, be mindful that many PHAs in the state are not accepting new applicants, as vouchers are in very high demand.
Depending on your local PHA, the process to complete a Section 8 application in Florida can be done online, in person, by mail or by phone. While nearly all PHAs will accept hard copies of an application form, there may be different submission rules depending on the area or county.
Furthermore, your PHA will inform you of whether it is currently accepting applications. Unfortunately, many PHAs are forced to close their waitlists when they reach their voucher allotments. If your local PHA is closed, you may be able to apply for Section 8 through another office. However, if this is not an option for you at the moment, you may consider asking an agent the following questions:
Unfortunately, there is a high chance that the Section 8 waiting list in FL for your particular PHA will be closed. However, you may be able to sign up for updates, which will notify you when the waitlist reopens.
If your waitlist is open and you are approved for housing assistance, you may still need to wait months or even years to receive housing choice vouchers. In that time, you must report any changes in your situation or income level to your PHA.
Discover Florida Section 8 Requirements
The Florida Section 8 requirements for eligibility are the key to obtaining this type of assistance. If you know what they consist of, you will have a better idea of whether you qualify for these HUD housing vouchers. You may also be able to determine your chances of getting on the waitlist in your area. Generally, a local PHA will take three main Section 8 qualifications into consideration:- Your annual gross income.
- The size of your family and whether any family members are children, dependents, seniors, veterans or have a disability.
- Your U.S. citizenship or legal residency status.
How to Apply for Section 8 Housing in Florida
- When do you expect the waitlist to reopen?
- What types of applicants are considered priorities?
- How long should an applicant expect to remain on the waitlist before receiving assistance?
- General information on your family, including the name, age and Social Security Number (SSN) of each family member who will live with you in HUD housing.
- Your current address and phone number.
- The Veteran status of any family members.
- Information on disabilities or severe illnesses in the family.
- The names, phone numbers and email addresses of your current landlord and previous landlords.
- Employer information about every working family member.