Section 8 listings in North Dakota can help you find a place to rent with a housing choice voucher (HCV). When you start receiving a voucher from a public housing agency (PHA), it is your responsibility to find a suitable home or apartment that will accept rental assistance.

There are a variety of low income apartments for rent in ND, but not all landlords are willing to participate in this program. Furthermore, not all units will meet your PHA’s requirements. Read below to learn more about using a Section 8 housing list and discover what standards an apartment must meet before you can rent it under this program.

What is an approved Section 8 housing list in North Dakota?

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides funding and oversight for the Section 8 program. The HUD also has a variety of resources that you can use to locate affordable housing. With HUD homes for rent listings, you can locate rental properties such as:

• Apartments in high-rise buildings.
• Regular apartment units.
• Single-family homes.
• Townhomes and duplexes.

When looking for Section 8 rental listings through HUD, you may come across units that are located in public housing projects. Because these units are already federally subsidized, you cannot use a Section 8 voucher to rent a unit in a project. Instead, you are allowed to lease any suitable unit on the private rental market.

Your PHA may also give you a list of low income apartments for rent when it grants you a voucher. Some housing authorities maintain their own database of Section 8 approved housing for rent that you can look through. Other times, a PHA may simply direct you to use approved apps or websites that list acceptable units.

Note that some PHAs own or maintain their own rental properties, such as apartment complexes or single-family homes. While you may be able to use a Section 8 voucher on one of these units, you are not required to do so. Remember, you are free to find Section 8 rental listings on the open market if you wish.

When a PHA does not own property or maintain its own Section 8 approved housing database, it may still provide you with other resources for finding an apartment. For example, a housing authority may give you a list of landlords who have rented to Section 8 participants in the past. For more information on finding an approved Section 8 housing list, read our helpful guide here.

Other Ways to Find Section 8 Listings in North Dakota

Finding homes for rent that accept Section 8 in North Dakota can be challenging. However, the process is similar to looking for any type of rental home. You can use many of the same tools and resources that you would use for looking for a non-assisted rental.

For example, most standard apartment for rent apps and websites allow you to search for properties that accept vouchers. You may need to search terms like “income-restricted” or “HCV welcome” in order to identify units that may accept rental assistance.

Not all landlords specifically state that they take vouchers in their ads. When in doubt, you may always ask a property owner if he or she would participate in the program.

Some websites are designed just for Section 8 listings, which makes it even easier to find an approved apartment. If you are unsure of where to start, GoSection8 active listings can be a useful tool. There are numerous other websites that offer similar types of listings.

When looking for apartments for rent that accept Section 8, remember to check a variety of sources. Some landlords do not advertise their units online, or do not use more than one website to post active listings. You may consider looking for ads in other places, such as in local newspapers or on community bulletin boards.

Quality Standards for Section 8 Approved Housing in North Dakota

After you find a few Section 8 listings that you are interested in, you must ensure that the unit you choose will meet your PHA’s requirements. Housing authorities require that your apartment is:

• Rented by a landlord willing to take Section 8 vouchers.
• Not owned by your family member or close relative, in most cases.
• Large enough for your family.
• Leased at a fair rate compared to other units in the area.
• Able to pass a health and safety inspection.

Note that you may be able to use your voucher where you already live. If you are unable to find Section 8 rental listings or simply do not want to move, you may consider asking your landlord about this possibility.

Tips to Help You Find Low Income Apartments for Rent in North Dakota

When going through a Section 8 housing list in North Dakota, it is important that you understand where you are allowed to rent and how soon you need to use your assistance. These factors might affect your search for housing.

If you live in the jurisdiction of the PHA that issued your voucher, you are usually able to move anywhere you want right away. However, most housing authorities require that you live within their service area for the first year if you did not already live there when you received a voucher. If you are unsure, ask your PHA before you decide on a unit to rent.

Regardless of where you use your voucher, it is crucial that you find a place to lease before your rental assistance expires. Your voucher will be valid for at least 60 days after it is issued. Some PHAs will allow you to receive an extension, while others may simply give you more time to begin with.

If you do not find any homes for rent that accept Section 8 before your voucher expires, you risk losing your assistance. Unfortunately, you will need to start the application process over if your rental assistance expires before you have a chance to use it.