An Ohio Section 8 housing list contains rental units that will accept housing choice vouchers as payment. Generally, there are a number of low income apartments for rent on the market. However, not all units will accept HUD assistance payments. Thus, using Section 8 listings can make it easier to find an eligible home or apartment to rent.

Once you have located an apartment that you wish to lease, the unit will need to meet a few requirements before you can move in. The public housing agency (PHA) that issued your voucher will check the unit to make sure it meets all of the requirements. Read below to learn more about finding Section 8 rental listings in Ohio and discover what criteria an apartment has to meet before you can sign a lease.

What is an approved Section 8 housing list in Ohio?

When looking for Section 8 approved housing for rent in Ohio, there are many places to start your search. One of the best resources is provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). You can use HUD homes for rent listings to find:

• Duplexes and townhomes.
• Single-family homes.
• Apartments in multi-family complexes.

As a general rule, HUD listings indicate whether or not a unit accepts rental assistance, as well as whether there are any special eligibility criteria. For example, you may find a unit located in a senior apartment complex, which will typically require that you meet an age requirement in order to move in.

It is important to note that HUD resources might include a variety of units in public housing projects. You are not allowed to use a Section 8 voucher in one of these units, as they are already federally assisted. Instead, you must look for a rental in the open market.

Your PHA may provide you with a list of low income apartments for rent to aid your search as well. Because each housing authority is an independent organization, the types of resources you receive may vary.

Certain housing agencies are able to maintain a website for future tenants, which may list available apartments. Other organizations may simply give you a list of landlords who commonly rent to Section 8 participants. Moreover, it is common for PHAs to endorse certain apartment for rent apps or websites that list acceptable units.

When looking for homes for rent that accept Section 8, you may notice that some PHAs own and manage rental properties themselves. While you are able to use your voucher in any apartment that is privately owned, you are not required to rent from your PHA. Nonetheless, you always have the option of finding a unit on the open rental market, even if your housing authority provides you with information on units that it owns.

Other Ways to Find Section 8 Listings in Ohio

Finding apartments for rent that accept Section 8 in Ohio is similar to looking for any other type of rental. Therefore, if you cannot locate a place you like through the HUD or your PHA, there are many other ways to search for a unit.

It is possible to find Section 8 approved housing through essentially any apartment searching website or mobile application. However, landlords may use different terminology to indicate that you can use rental assistance. For example, you may see phrases such as “vouchers welcome” or “income-restricted” on such listings.

In addition, certain websites are exclusively used for Section 8 rental listings and other low-income properties. For instance, GoSection8 active listings can be a good starting place when searching for a landlord who will take your voucher.

Keep in mind that not all landlords will use the same methods for advertising their units. As such, you may consider looking at local newspapers, online classifieds and/or community bulletin boards for listings.

Note: If you are currently renting and are interested in staying where you are, you may also find that you can use your voucher where you live. With that in mind, you may ask your landlord about this possibility.

Quality Standards for Section 8 Approved Housing in Ohio

Once you find Section 8 listings you are interested in, you can begin the next step in the rental process. The unit you choose must pass a PHA inspection before you are allowed to live there.

Keep in mind that, even if you found a unit on an approved Section 8 housing list, it does not guarantee that the apartment will pass an inspection. All units need to be checked out, regardless of where you found the listing.

The PHA will look for several different things when performing an inspection and verifying a unit. As an example, the unit you choose needs to:

• Have enough bedrooms to accommodate your family.
• Be rented by a landlord who participates in the Section 8 program.
• Have a fair rental rate compared to other units.
• Be in safe, sanitary and decent condition, according to HUD standards.

Note that you are usually not allowed to rent a unit that is owned by your close family member. However, PHA policies may vary in some situations. Learn more about the requirements a unit must meet by reading our Section 8 guide here.

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

When using a Section 8 housing list in Ohio, it helps to understand where you are allowed to search for an apartment. While you are permitted to rent any acceptable unit in the open market, you may be required to live within your local PHA’s service area for the first year.

In any case, be mindful that this requirement is usually only the case if you did not already live in the area when you received your voucher. After the first 12 months, you are free to move anywhere else that is served by another PHA.

Finding Section 8 listings in Ohio can be challenging. However, it is important that you start your search right away. This is because you may have as little as 60 days to use your voucher before it expires.

In some cases, a PHA will give you more time to search. Other times, your housing authority might let you apply for an extension. If so, there may also be a deadline for requesting an extension.

You risk losing your assistance if you do not use your voucher before it expires. If this happens, you must start the entire application and waiting list process over again.