Section 8 is a national rental assistance program overseen by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Despite the fact this housing choice voucher program is federally funded, it is carried out on the local level through Public Housing Agencies (PHAs).

Overall, this HUD housing program helps low-income individuals and families afford rent by covering part of their monthly payment. PHAs issue payments directly to landlords on behalf of their beneficiaries. Moreover, PHAs ensure that these tenants can find clean and safe low income housing by inspecting these units for approval before they move in.

On a federal level, the HUD establishes guidelines and instructions for the Section 8 program in Iowa. However, each PHA may have slight differences in their application process. Read on for more information about the eligibility requirements and application process in IA.

Discover Iowa Section 8 Requirements

First and foremost, Section 8 eligibility is based on the total income of a household. In order to receive assistance, a household must not exceed the local Section 8 income limits designated by the HUD. However, these limits are determined by an area’s median income according to the makeup and size of a family.

In general, families who receive housing vouchers fall below 50 percent of their area’s median income. By law, most housing vouchers are prioritized to applicants whose income does not exceed 30 percent of the median income.

In addition to these income requirements, Section 8 qualifications include the assessment of an applicant’s residency status and criminal history. In order to receive assistance, your family must have U.S. citizenship or maintain acceptable legal status. Moreover, you will not receive Section 8 assistance if you or any member of your household are a registered sex offender. A background check will be conducted before any housing vouchers are issued.

Furthermore, you may need to meet additional eligibility requirements if you are a student and not currently living with your parents. In order for a student to meet the HUD’s eligibility requirements, they must meet one of the following criteria:

• Be at least 24 years of age or meet the definition of an independent student
• Be a veteran
• Be married or have a dependent
• Have a disability
• Be a graduate student

In addition to general Section 8 requirements in Iowa, it is important to be mindful of any local preferences that your local PHA may have. These preferences or priorities are factors that may decrease the amount of time a family waits before receiving assistance.

As an example, a family that is homeless may be placed higher on the waiting list than a family that already has some form of housing. On the other hand, these priorities will not necessarily impact a family’s overall eligibility.

How to Apply for Section 8 Housing in Iowa

The Section 8 housing application process may vary slightly between different PHAs. In general, however, the process takes place in two steps:

• Applying to be placed on the waiting list
• Undergoing the interview and verification of one’s eligibility

Before beginning the Section 8 application process, you must find a PHA that has an open waiting list, meaning that it is accepting new applicants. Generally, most PHAs keep their waitlists closed for the majority of the year (see below).

If enrollment is open, your local PHA will provide specific instructions for you to apply. With that said, keep in mind you may not be able to file a Section 8 application online at every PHA. In any case, in order to apply for Section 8, you will need to provide:

• Information about your household and income
• Social Security Numbers (SSNs) for each member of the household
• Proof of citizenship/acceptable immigration status
• A background screening
• Personal identification information

You may provide all this information when you initially apply for the waiting list. However, some PHAs will have a shorter, pre-application process in order to be put on the waiting list. If this is the case, you would provide the remaining information at a later date.

After your name is pulled from a local waiting list, you must attend an interview to verify your eligibility and the information you provided on the Section 8 application form. During the interview, a representative will review your documents and give you more information about the program. Be prepared to bring proof of income even if you already provided it to enter the waiting list. You may also need to fill out additional documentation, such as a consent form to be put in the Section 8 registry.

Understanding Section 8 Waiting Lists in Iowa

A Section 8 waiting list is an important part of the application process. More often than not, the need for assistance in a PHA’s area will outweigh the number of resources allocated to the agency. As a result, many eligible families are put on a waitlist until resources become available.

Furthermore, the need for assistance is often so great that certain PHAs will close their waiting lists because they become too full. Consequently, it is imperative to locate a PHA with an open waitlist or you will be unable to apply for the program.

If the PHA near you has a closed Section 8 waiting list, you may want to consider applying through a PHA that is nearby, such as in a neighboring county. However, be mindful that you will be required to live in the area where that PHA is located for a certain period of time before moving elsewhere.

In addition to whether or not a waitlist is open, be aware that it may be months or years before your name is pulled from one of these lists. Therefore, you may benefit from applying to more than one PHA to increase your chances of receiving assistance.

If you are able to submit an application, you may check your Section 8 waiting list status through your PHA. You may be able to do so online or by phone, depending on the agency.

Learn About Iowa Section 8 Housing Lists

After you are approved for a housing voucher, you may use a Section 8 housing list to help you locate a rental unit. These Section 8 listings are generally made up of properties that the PHA has worked with in the past. Thus, these properties not only meet the HUD’s safety standards, but the landlords are also already willing to work within the program.

However, you may find low-income apartments for rent through other means, such as through newspapers or online listings. Just keep in mind that both the landlord and the PHA must give approval before you may move in.