What Section 8 Looks For

Section 8 housing information is available to households with income below a certain level set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The income limit depends on where you live — a family of four in rural Mississippi has a different limit than a family of four in San Francisco. Your local public housing authority (PHA) sets the exact number for your area and updates it yearly.

Beyond income, you must be a U.S. citizen or have a may have access to immigration status. You cannot have been evicted for drug-related activity in the past three years, and you cannot owe money to any housing authority. If you have a criminal record, the PHA will look at the type of crime, how long ago it happened, and whether you have stayed out of trouble since. A single conviction does not automatically disqualify you, but certain crimes — particularly those involving violence or drugs — may.

You also need to pass a background check and a credit check. The credit check is not about having perfect credit; it is about whether you have a pattern of not paying rent or utilities. If you have paid late in the past but have since caught up, that is different from owing money right now.

Key Takeaways

  • Your household income must fall below the limit your local housing authority sets, and that limit changes each year based on where you live.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen or have a may have access to immigration status, and you cannot have been evicted for drug-related activity in the past three years.
  • The PHA will review your criminal history and credit history, but a single past offense or late payment does not automatically disqualify you.
  • You will need to provide proof of income, identity, citizenship or immigration status, and rental history before the PHA makes a decision.

Income Limits and How They Are Calculated

The income limit is based on the median income in your county or metropolitan area. HUD publishes these limits every year, usually in April. A household at 50 percent of the area median income (AMI) is considered very low income; at 80 percent AMI is considered low income. Most Section 8 programs prioritize very low income households, but some accept applicants up to 80 percent AMI depending on funding and local rules.

Income includes wages from a job, self-employment income, Social Security, unemployment benefits, child support, and alimony. It does not include one-time payments like tax refunds or insurance settlements. If you are unemployed, the PHA will count zero income for that household member. If you are over 62 or disabled, some income is excluded — typically the first $400 per month plus half of any remaining income.

To find your area's current income limit, contact your local PHA directly or visit HUD's website and search for your county. The PHA will tell you the exact dollar amount for your household size. If your income is above the limit, you will not move forward in the process. If it is below, you move to the next step.

Citizenship and Immigration Status Requirements

You must be a U.S. citizen or have one of the immigration statuses HUD recognizes. These include lawful permanent residents (green card holders), refugees, asylees, and certain other categories. The PHA will ask to see your Social Security card, passport, green card, or other proof of status. If you were born in the U.S., a birth certificate counts.

If you are not a citizen but have a may have access to status, you will need to provide your Alien Number or A-Number, which appears on your green card or immigration documents. Mixed-status households — where some members are citizens and others are not — are allowed, but only the income of may be able to access members counts toward the income limit. The ineligible members still live in the unit, but their income is excluded from the calculation.

If you are undocumented, you do not meet the requirements for Section 8. Some local programs have created alternatives for undocumented households, but they are not Section 8 and are funded differently. Ask your local PHA whether your city or county has other rental information programs.

Criminal History and Drug-Related Evictions

The PHA will run a background check through local police records and the FBI. You will be asked to disclose any arrests or convictions. If you have been convicted of a felony, the PHA looks at what the crime was, when it happened, and what you have done since. A conviction from 15 years ago is treated differently than one from last year. A conviction for a non-violent crime is treated differently than one for violence.

The one automatic disqualifier is a drug-related eviction in the past three years. This means an eviction where the reason given was drug activity — either your own or a household member's. If you were evicted for that reason more than three years ago, you may be able to show rehabilitation and move forward. If it was within the past three years, you will be denied.

Sex offender registration does not automatically disqualify you, but the PHA will investigate the circumstances. Violent felonies are treated seriously. If you have questions about whether a specific conviction will affect your case, contact your local PHA before you submit documents — they can give you a clearer answer than a general guide can.

Credit and Rental History

The PHA will pull a credit report and contact previous landlords. They are looking for a pattern of not paying rent or utilities, not for a single late payment years ago. If you have paid rent on time for the past two years, that matters more than a missed payment from five years back. If you currently owe back rent to a previous landlord, that is a problem — you will need to settle it before the PHA will move forward.

Evictions show up on your rental history. If you were evicted, the PHA will want to know why. An eviction for non-payment of rent is serious, but an eviction for a lease violation (like having an unauthorized occupant) is viewed differently. If you have an eviction on your record, be prepared to explain it when you meet with the PHA.

If you have no rental history — for example, you have always lived with family or in a shelter — the PHA may ask for references from people who can speak to your character and reliability. They understand that not everyone has a formal lease history.

Debts Owed to Housing Authorities

If you have ever received Section 8 or public housing information before and still owe money to that housing authority, you will not be accepted into a new program until you pay what you owe. This includes unpaid rent, damage charges, or utility overage bills. The debt does not have to be from Section 8 specifically — if you owe money to any PHA for any reason, it blocks you.

If you owe money to a previous PHA, contact that authority and ask what your balance is. Some will set up a payment plan. Once you have paid in full or reached an agreement, ask for written confirmation and bring that to your new PHA when you explore. Do not assume the debt has been forgiven or forgotten — housing authorities share records.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my income is just slightly over the limit?

Income limits are firm — if you are over, you do not move forward. However, income limits change yearly, usually in April. If you are close, you can reapply next year when the limit may be higher. Also, some household members' income may not count (for example, if you are over 62, some of your income is excluded), so ask the PHA to calculate your specific situation before you assume you are over.

Can I still explore if I have a criminal record?

Yes. A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you. The PHA considers what the crime was, when it happened, and what you have done since. The only automatic disqualifier is a drug-related eviction in the past three years. If you have other concerns about your record, contact your local PHA to discuss before you explore.

What if I have never had a lease or rental history?

You can still explore. The PHA may ask for character references from people who know you — employers, social workers, clergy, or others who can speak to your reliability. If you have lived in a shelter or with family, explain that. The PHA understands that not everyone has a formal rental history.

Do I need to be working to get Section 8?

No. You can be unemployed, retired, disabled, or receiving benefits. The PHA counts income from all sources — wages, Social Security, unemployment, disability, child support, and others. If you have no income at all, that is fine; zero income still meets the requirement as long as you are below the income limit.

What happens if I find out I owe money to a previous housing authority?

Contact that authority and ask about your balance. Some will accept a payment plan. Once you have paid in full or have a written agreement, bring that documentation to your new PHA. Settling the debt before you explore makes the process smoother than trying to resolve it after.