How to Apply for a Housing Choice Voucher

Applying for a housing choice voucher starts with your local Public Housing Agency (PHA). You’ll submit an application — online, by mail, or in person — with information about your income, household size, and other qualifying details. If you meet your PHA’s criteria, you’ll typically be added to a waiting list until a voucher becomes available.

Wait times can vary widely depending on where you apply — some PHAs reopen their lists regularly, while others may keep them closed for months or years due to high demand. Because of this, it helps to apply as soon as a list opens and prepare your documents ahead of time so you can respond quickly if a PHA requests more information. You can also increase your chances by applying to multiple PHAs where allowed.

In the guide below, we’ll walk through some of the eligibility rules and key steps to apply, along with practical tips to help you navigate the process more confidently.

What is the Housing Choice Voucher Program?

The Housing Choice Voucher Program — often called Section 8 — is a federal rental assistance program designed to help qualifying households keep their housing costs manageable. Instead of limiting renters to public housing buildings, the program allows participants to look for homes in the private market, as long as the unit meets program standards and the landlord agrees to participate. Some states and cities make it illegal for landlords to turn away prospective renters because of their source of income, including if their rent is paid for in whole or in part by a voucher.

Once approved, the household receives a voucher that covers a portion of the monthly rent. The local Public Housing Agency (PHA) sends that subsidy directly to the property owner, and the renter pays the remaining share – typically around 30% of their adjusted monthly income, though the exact amount can vary depending on the unit’s rent and local guidelines. Eligible rentals can include apartments, townhomes, or single-family houses, giving families more choice in where they live.

The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and administered locally through approximately 3,300 Public Housing Agencies (PHAs). Each PHA manages its own application process, waiting list and income limits based on the area’s median income levels.

Are you eligible for the Housing Choice Voucher Program?

The key eligibility criteria for the Housing Choice Voucher Program include:

• Household income and size: PHAs compare your income to local limits. Most applicants must fall within the low-income (up to 80% of the area median income) or very low-income (up to 50% of the area median income) categories, with priority often given to households in the lower range. You can review HUD’s income limits for your area to estimate eligibility.
• Citizenship or eligible immigration status: Each household member must be a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen under HUD guidelines. Eligible non-citizens include certain immigration categories — such as lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylees, and others with protected status — who are permitted to receive federal housing assistance under HUD rules.
• Valid Social Security number: The head of household must provide a Social Security number and documentation for all household members, if applicable.
• Background considerations: PHAs review criminal history as part of the screening process. Certain convictions may affect eligibility under HUD’s program admission rules.

How to apply for a housing choice voucher

Many PHAs use a two-step application process. First, there is a pre-application that collects basic information so the agency can place you on the waiting list. When your name reaches the top of the list, you’ll be asked to complete a full application and provide detailed income and household documentation.

If you need help gathering documents or completing forms, HUD-approved housing counseling agencies and local nonprofits can guide you through the process.

1. Find your local Public Housing Agency (PHA)

Start by locating your nearest PHA through the HUD Public Housing Agency Directory. You must apply through one of these agencies, which serve specific cities or counties.

2. Prepare supporting documents

Getting your paperwork organized early can make it easier to apply quickly when a waiting list opens or when your PHA asks for more information. While exact requirements vary by agency, you may be asked for:

• Identification for adult household members (such as a driver’s license, state ID card, passport, or other government-issued ID)
• Proof of identity for children, which can include a birth certificate, school records or other official documents
• Proof of income, such as recent pay stubs, benefit award letters, or tax returns
• Documentation of assets, like bank statements or account summaries
• Verification of public benefits, if applicable (for example, SSI, SSDI, TANF, SNAP or other assistance programs)
• Social Security numbers and documentation for household members, if required
• Any signed consent or release forms your PHA uses to verify income, benefits and other information

Your local PHA will list the documents they accept and which ones are required, so it’s a good idea to review their checklist in advance.

3. Check for open waiting lists

Because demand for vouchers is high, many PHAs use waiting lists — which can open or close at different times throughout the year. Each housing authority manages its own list, so wait times can vary dramatically from one jurisdiction to the next.

Visit your local PHA’s website to see whether they’re currently accepting applications. Many agencies also offer email alerts so you can be notified when a list opens. Having your documents ready (from Step 2) can help you submit your pre-application quickly when those openings occur.

In some communities, the wait might be several months; in others, it may take years for a voucher to become available, depending on local demand and available funding.

4. Submit your pre-application

Once you find a PHA with an open waiting list, you’ll start with a pre-application. This form is usually brief and collects only the basic information the agency needs to place your household on the list. Depending on the PHA, you may be able to submit it online, by mail, or in person.

A pre-application typically asks for:

• Names of household members
• Basic household demographics
• Contact information
• Estimated income
• Any applicable preference categories (such as veteran status, disability, or local residency)

PHAs use this early form only to determine whether you qualify to be added to the waiting list — not to verify full eligibility yet.

5. Complete the full eligibility application

When your name reaches the top of the waiting list, the PHA will contact you to complete a formal eligibility application. This is where you’ll provide the detailed information and documentation required to confirm your household’s income, identity, and other qualifying factors.

This application generally includes:

• Detailed income information for all adult household members
• Verification documents (such as pay stubs, benefit award letters, tax returns, and bank statements)
• Identity documentation for adults and children
• Social Security numbers and proof of eligibility for each member, if required
• Any consent or release forms the PHA needs to verify your information

6. Wait for notification

After submitting your application, the PHA will review your eligibility based on your household income and size. If eligible, you’ll be placed on a waiting list until a voucher becomes available.

Waiting times vary by location and can range from several months to years. Reaching the top of the waitlist depends on the available number of vouchers, when you applied and any selection preferences you may have qualified for, such as veteran status or disability.

7. Check the status of your application

Most PHAs allow you to check your waiting list status online, by phone, or by contacting their office directly. Because update schedules vary, it’s helpful to check in every 1–3 months unless your PHA suggests a different timeframe. Some PHAs also send email or mail notifications when they need more information, so make sure their email addresses are added to your safe sender list to prevent messages from going to spam.

Keeping your contact information up to date is essential. If you move, change phone numbers, or switch email accounts and don’t notify the PHA, your household may be removed from the waiting list.

8. Follow the next steps

When your name reaches the top of the waiting list, your PHA will contact you to complete the final steps before receiving your voucher. Depending on the agency, this may include:

• Completing the verification process, which may involve an in-person interview or meeting, along with providing updated income, household, and identification documents, so the PHA can confirm your eligibility.
• Attending a voucher briefing, where the PHA reviews program rules, your responsibilities as a voucher holder, and how to search for eligible units.
• Receiving your voucher and beginning your housing search. PHAs typically give households 60–120 days to find a qualifying rental, though extensions may be possible in certain circumstances. The home you choose must meet the program’s requirements — including HUD’s Housing Quality Standards, rent reasonableness guidelines and local payment standards — before the PHA can approve the unit and sign a contract with the landlord.

Find voucher-friendly rentals

After receiving your voucher, you can begin searching for a rental that fits your household size and your PHA’s rent limits. Many PHAs provide lists of landlords who participate in the program, and you can also use Zillow’s advanced search filters — including price, bedroom count, and the Income Restricted filter — to help narrow your options. Each listing also includes a Local Legal Protections section, which shows whether your area has laws that prohibit discrimination based on source of income, including whether or not your rent is paid by a government assistance subsidy like a voucher.

Once you identify a unit you want to pursue, the PHA will inspect the unit and confirm that the rent amount falls within their approval standards. If the unit is approved and the landlord agrees to participate, the PHA will finalize the paperwork, and you can sign your lease.