A Section 8 housing list is a catalog of low-income homes available for rent in different areas. Section 8 recipients may use a variety of housing lists to find a home, including approved housing lists and other online and mobile resources. In this state, most Public Housing Agencies (PHAs), or housing authorities, provide their own search platforms. These platforms are in compliance with guidelines established by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Section 8 listings in New Mexico must meet a number of health and safety requirements. In addition, the landlords of these units must participate in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program and cover certain utilities. As you look at the options available in your county, you must be wary of potential scams as well. Learn more about housing lists below.

What is an approved Section 8 housing list in New Mexico?

Low income apartments for rent in NM are listed on several different approved housing lists. An approved list is one that is sponsored by your local PHA or the HUD. Your PHA may even recommend certain third-party websites.

To use a state-sponsored housing list, visit your PHA’s website to determine whether it offers its own search platform. For instance, the housing agency of Alamogordo provides a virtual tour of low-income properties. These homes are offered in two main developments in the county.

In contrast, housing authorities such as the one in Albuquerque direct their users to an approved third-party website known as GoSection8. Through this site, visitors may search for homes based on:

• Minimum and maximum monthly rent
• Type of property, including house, apartment, townhouse or villa
• The number of bedrooms and bathrooms

You may also look at a list of low income apartments for rent on the HUD’s website. The HUD offers two online tools to help you in your housing search: the resource locator and the apartment search tool.

The resource locator will help you find the nearest PHA, as well as other housing assistance opportunities in the state. Moreover, it will tell you how many units are available through different state housing establishments.

The apartment search tool may provide more detail about the types of units available for rent in the area. In addition, it may provide contact information for landlords, property owners and housing organizations.

Other Ways to Find Section 8 Listings in New Mexico

In order to find Section 8 approved housing for rent on a more traditional rental website, you must more specific with your search terms. Most rental websites cater to the general public, which means you may find fewer low-income options in their listings.

If you are struggling to find low-income listings on these sites, you can still use them to gain a sense of the market prices in your area. When you click on a listing, you will be able to see whether the landlord accepts Section 8 recipients. You can also view:

• The street address
• Contact information for the landlord or property owner
• What utilities are included in the rent cost

Note: Some popular apartment-search websites do not have high levels of protection to ward off scams. Thus, you may need to use even more caution when browsing different listings.

Additionally, you may find Section 8 approved housing in New Mexico on low-income rental sites that are not sponsored by PHAs. Such sites may give you general information about the HCV program, including the number of open waitlists available in the state. Get more information on third-party rental websites when you download our trustworthy guide.

Quality Standards for Section 8 Approved Housing in New Mexico

As you look at different homes for rent that accept Section 8 in NM, you must remember to also look for homes that will meet the HCV program’s health and safety criteria. These guidelines are determined by the HUD and administered by housing authorities throughout the state.

All homes approved for the HCV program must undergo an inspection to ensure that they meet certain standards. During the inspection, a PHA worker will check the utilities in the unit to make sure they are in working condition. He or she will also check the hot and cold running water and the functionality of the heating and cooling system.

If you are looking at apartments for rent that accept Section 8, make sure that the unit you select has a bathroom that is separate from the rest of the apartment. The bathroom must have a shower or bathtub, toilet and sink.

A unit may not be approved by your PHA inspector if it has serious issues, such as a pest infestation. Depending on the problem, the inspector may allow you to move in as long as the landlord promises to fix it. If the issue poses too much of a risk, you will be asked to search for a different unit.

Tips to Help You Find Low Income Apartments for Rent in New Mexico

Every so often during your search, you may come across Section 8 rental listings in NM that seem too good to be true. These may be scams, which are especially dangerous if you give out your Social Security Number (SSN) or bank information. Thus, you must learn the signs of a fake listing so that you can protect yourself and report potential scams.

One of the most common signs of rental fraud is when a landlord or property owner asks for a deposit without allowing you to visit the unit in person. Another red flag is when a lister asks to communicate over text messages or emails and does not want to meet you in person. Lastly, you ought to stay clear of landlords or property owners who are outside of the country and asking for payment.

GoSection8 active listings and nearly all rental websites will post tips on detecting scams, as they may be unable to weed out all potentially fake listings. Thus, you can always report a suspicious post in order to protect yourself and other renters.