Section 8 in Idaho: What You Need to Know
Section 8 in Idaho is administered by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), not by a single state office. Each PHA—whether in Boise, Pocatello, Coeur d'Alene, or smaller cities—runs its own waiting list, sets its own preferences, and moves at its own pace. This means the timeline, the number of available vouchers, and the rules around lease terms can differ significantly depending on where you live in the state.
Idaho's PHAs are part of the federal Housing Choice Voucher program, which means the basic income limits and rent-calculation rules are set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). But the local PHA decides how many vouchers it has to distribute, how long the waiting list is, and whether it is currently accepting new applicants. Some Idaho PHAs have closed their lists because demand far exceeds available vouchers. Others accept applications on a rolling basis.
The voucher itself is portable within Idaho and across state lines, but only after you have held it for a certain period—typically one year. Before that, you must use it with a landlord in the PHA's jurisdiction where you received the voucher.
Key Takeaways
- Each Idaho PHA controls its own waiting list and voucher availability, so you must contact the PHA in your county to learn whether applications are open.
- Income limits in Idaho range from roughly $28,000 to $46,000 annually for a family of four, depending on the county and the specific PHA area.
- You must provide a lease, proof of income, Social Security numbers for all household members, and documentation of citizenship or may be able to access immigration status.
- The PHA will inspect any home you want to rent and verify that the landlord accepts Section 8 before you can move in.
- Your rent contribution is typically 30 percent of your adjusted gross income; the voucher covers the difference up to the local payment standard.
Income Limits and Household Composition Rules
Idaho's income limits are set by HUD and vary by county and household size. For a family of four in Ada County (Boise area), the limit is typically around $46,000 per year. In smaller counties, the limit may be lower—sometimes $28,000 to $35,000 for the same family size. These figures change annually, usually in April.
Income is counted as gross income before taxes. It includes wages, self-employment income, Social Security, unemployment benefits, child support, and alimony. Some income is excluded: the first $480 per year of income earned by a minor child, the first $65 per month of any household member's income plus half of the remainder, and certain types of information (though this varies by program). If you are over 62 or disabled, you may receive an additional deduction.
Household composition matters because it determines your income limit and the size of voucher you receive. A household is defined as people living together and sharing expenses. Unrelated people living together count as separate households unless they are elderly or disabled and living in a shared arrangement. Children born to a household member after the voucher is issued are added to the household. Temporary visitors do not count.
You must provide proof of income for the past 30 days for all working household members. If you are self-employed, the PHA will ask for tax returns from the past two years. If you receive benefits, bring the award letter or benefit statement. If you have no income, you still may be found income-may be able to access, but the PHA will verify that you have no resources to count.
Documentation You Will Need to Provide
Before the PHA can process your process, you must submit specific documents. The exact list varies slightly by PHA, but all require the same core items.
Identity and citizenship: A government-issued photo ID for the head of household and all household members age 18 and older. For citizenship or may be able to access immigration status, bring a birth certificate, passport, green card, or employment authorization document (EAD). If you are a non-citizen, you must have may be able to access immigration status—this includes lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylees, and certain other categories. Undocumented immigrants are not may be able to access.
Income documentation: Recent pay stubs (usually the past 30 days), W-2 forms or tax returns for the past two years, and a letter from your employer on company letterhead confirming your job title and hourly rate or salary. If you are unemployed, bring documentation of unemployment benefits. If you receive Social Security, bring the award letter. If you are self-employed, bring tax returns for the past two years and a profit-and-loss statement for the current year.
Housing and lease information: A signed lease with the landlord's name, address, and phone number. The lease must be for a unit that meets HUD housing quality standards. If you do not yet have a lease, you can explore and search for housing while your process is being processed, but you cannot receive a voucher until a lease is signed.
Social Security numbers: For all household members, including children. If you do not have a Social Security number, you must explore for one before the PHA can issue a voucher.
The process and Waiting List Process
The first step is to contact the PHA in your county. In Ada County, that is the Boise Housing Authority. In Bannock County, it is the Pocatello Housing Authority. If you are unsure which PHA serves your area, call your county assessor's office or search "Public Housing Authority" plus your county name online.
Ask whether the PHA is currently accepting applications. If the waiting list is closed, ask when it is expected to reopen. Some PHAs reopen lists annually; others may not open for several years. If the list is open, request an process packet. Most PHAs now accept applications online through their website, but some still require in-person or mail submission.
Complete the process form and submit it with all required documentation. The PHA will send you a letter confirming receipt. Processing typically takes 30 to 90 days, depending on the PHA's workload and whether your documents are complete. If documents are missing, the PHA will notify you and give you a important date to submit them—usually 10 to 30 days.
Once your process is approved, you are placed on the waiting list in the order your complete process was received. The PHA will contact you when a voucher becomes available. In some Idaho PHAs, this may take months or years. In others, it may take weeks. The PHA is not required to tell you your position on the list, but you can call and ask for a status update.
What Happens After You Receive a Voucher
When the PHA notifies you that a voucher is available, you will receive a packet with the voucher document, a list of housing quality standards, and a search important date—usually 60 to 90 days. You must find a rental unit within that timeframe and have the landlord sign a lease.
The landlord does not have to accept Section 8, and many do not. You will need to contact landlords directly and ask whether they participate. Some property management companies have experience with Section 8; others refuse it outright. The unit itself must pass a housing quality inspection conducted by the PHA before you can move in. This inspection checks for working plumbing, heat, electrical systems, and safety hazards. If the unit fails, the landlord must make repairs before the lease can begin.
Once the lease is signed and the unit passes inspection, the PHA will issue a Housing information Payment (HAP) contract to the landlord. The PHA pays the landlord the difference between your rent contribution (30 percent of your adjusted income) and the local payment standard. You pay the remainder directly to the landlord each month. If your income changes, your rent contribution may change, and the PHA will recalculate your payment.
You must recertify your income and household composition annually. The PHA will send you a form to complete and return with updated income documentation. If you fail to recertify, your voucher may be terminated.
Income Limits by County (Approximate Annual Figures)
| County / PHA Area | Family of 1 | Family of 2 | Family of 3 | Family of 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ada County (Boise) | $28,650 | $32,750 | $36,850 | $40,950 |
| Bannock County (Pocatello) | $24,000 | $27,450 | $30,900 | $34,350 |
| Kootenai County (Coeur d'Alene) | $25,200 | $28,800 | $32,400 | $36,000 |
These figures are approximate and change annually. Contact your local PHA for current limits. Limits are higher in areas with higher median rents and lower in rural areas.
What Disqualifies You
The PHA will deny your process if you do not meet income limits, if any household member lacks may be able to access immigration status, or if you cannot provide required documentation. You will also be denied if you have an outstanding debt to any PHA, if you were evicted from a Section 8 unit for lease violations in the past three years, or if any household member has a felony drug conviction within the past three years.
Other disqualifying factors include a history of violent criminal activity, failure to pay rent or utilities in a timely manner (within the past two years), or fraud in a prior housing program. If you were terminated from Section 8 for non-payment or lease violations, you are ineligible for a minimum of three years from the date of termination. Some PHAs have longer waiting periods.
If you are denied, the PHA must provide a written reason. You have the right to request a hearing to dispute the denial. Contact the PHA for instructions on how to request a hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I move to a different state with my Section 8 voucher?
Yes, but only after you have held the voucher for at least one year. After that, you can request a "portability" transfer to another state's PHA. The new PHA must have available funding to absorb your voucher. Contact your current Idaho PHA to start the process.
What if my income increases after I receive a voucher?
Your rent contribution will increase, but you will not lose the voucher. The PHA recalculates your payment at each annual recertification. If your income exceeds 120 percent of the area median income for your household size, you may be required to leave the program, but this is rare and the PHA will give you advance notice.
Do I have to use a landlord who accepts Section 8?
Yes. The landlord must sign a lease with the PHA and agree to the terms of the Housing information Payment contract. If a landlord refuses Section 8, you cannot use your voucher for that unit. You will need to find a different property.
What happens if I lose my job while on Section 8?
Your rent contribution will drop because it is based on your income. Report the job loss to the PHA when ready and provide documentation (such as a termination letter). The PHA will recalculate your payment at your next recertification or sooner if you request an interim recertification.
How long does the housing quality inspection take?
The PHA typically schedules an inspection within two to four weeks of receiving the lease and HAP contract. The inspection itself takes one to two hours. If the unit fails, the landlord has 30 days to make repairs and request a re-inspection. If repairs are not made, the lease cannot begin.