Purpose of Section 8 Housing

As part of the Housing Act of 1937, Section 8 housing provides rental assistance to low-income households, the elderly and those with disabilities. Those on Section 8 assistance are able to relocate to other Section 8 units, whether within the same city and state or to an entirely different city and state.

Payments are made directly to the landlord, which alleviates at least some of the economic burden of the monthly rent payment. Not all landlords accept Section 8, and some choose to allot some of their units to Section 8 apartments but keep the remainder at market price.

The amount a landlord will receive for his or her Section 8 apartment is determined by several factors, including the fair market rent for the area, the number of bedrooms in the unit and the payment standard established by the Public Housing Authority. Section 8 doesn't usually cover security deposits to the landlord.

This program can help with utilities also, but there are qualifications to be met, both with the landlord and with the government. For information regarding veterans who are homeless or low income, visit hud.gov.

Housing Choice Voucher Program

This is the largest part of the Section 8 program, comprising more than 5 million participants. Its popularity is due in part to the ability of the participants to apply their voucher, up to $2,000 per month, to the purchase of a home.

Benefits of Section 8 Accommodations

Living in a Section 8 apartment has several benefits, such as:

• Reducing poverty
• Increasing cash flow
• Reducing the risk of homelessness
• Providing better housing

According to government reports, many of those who receive Section 8 benefits are able to rise from the poverty level to a higher standard of living. The money that would normally be spent for housing can then be allocated to medical care, food and clothing, transportation and other daily living expenses that might otherwise have been unattainable. One significant drawback is the waiting list, which is sometimes substantial. Preferences are given to some families and/or individuals, and wait times vary by locality.

Top 5 Routes for "Section 8 Apartments"

The availability of Section 8 apartments varies depending on the area, so it's necessary to search by zip code in order to locate available units within a specific geographic area.

1. Go Section 8 Go Section 8 provides convenient and comprehensive information on local Section 8 housing just by entering a zip code. Pictures of both the interior and the exterior are included for some listings, along with availability and prices.
2. We Take Section 8 We Take Section 8 has one of the nation's largest databases for subsidized housing and includes apartments, town homes, and houses. Landlords are already established with Section 8, so it's as easy as locating the best apartment, completing the paperwork and then moving in.
3. Real Rentals Real Rentals provides a comprehensive site that serves landlords and prospective tenants nationwide. Preferences can be narrowed to a specific location and there's a section dedicated to Section 8 availability.
4. Section 8 Housing List Section 8 Housing List provides convenient access to Section 8 housing nationwide. A link to each city within each state is included on their website, making it easy to search by state and city. Contact information is provided for those landlords who want to add their properties to the database, so prospective tenants can be assured of the widest possible access to available Section 8 properties.
5. Government Hub Government Hub provides the latest information on how to apply for government housing, how to determine qualification criteria, discounts available, and a multitude of other information. Anyone interested in applying for Section 8 housing should definitely consult this site.