Section 8 is a federally funded program aimed at assisting low income households pay for affordable housing by way of vouchers. Any household that is struggling to make rental or housing payments may be eligible to apply for Section 8 housing. The distribution of housing vouchers starts with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) organization when they receive federal funding. The HUD office then disperses the Section 8 funds to the local housing authority who is responsible for distributing the physical housing vouchers for local, low income housing. The Georgia Department of Community Affairs, or DCA, administers housing vouchers for low income house rentals and delivers them to approved applicants. Anyone can apply for Section 8 housing if they meet the necessary requirements.

Learn About Section 8 Requirements in Georgia

What are the requirements for Section 8 in Georgia? The three basic areas of requirement for Section 8 eligibility are income, citizenship status, and household statistics. The most important requirement for Section 8 eligibility is income. However, income alone does not guarantee acceptance into the Section 8 housing program. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements in all three areas to be accepted into Section 8.

What are the qualifications for low income housing? Any household that makes less than 50 percent of the median income for the surrounding area is eligible for Section 8 housing. If a household falls below 70 percent of the median income level, the household falls into the very low income range and will be given priority. Priority housing is also given to women who are pregnant or have young children, the elderly, veterans and the disabled. Previous rental history will be taken into account. Section 8 applicants must be a United States citizen or a legal alien resident. The qualification of household statistics means that documentation must be provided for every member of the household. Applicants with a criminal record may be disqualified from Section 8. Any applicant who is a registered sexual offender or convicted of selling controlled substances will be denied Section 8.

“What do I need to apply for Section 8 housing?” is a question most applicants ask when considering applying for Section 8. The required documentation for Section 8 is extensive, and appropriate documents must be provided for every member of the household. Driver’s licenses, birth certificates, social security cards, and criminal backgrounds must be presented for all household members. Proof of income must be documented and can be given in the form of bank statements or pay stubs. If an applicant is the recipient of other government subsidies, then they must provide appropriate documentation for that as well.

Applicants who wonder, “Do I qualify for Section 8 housing?” should evaluate their personal situation in accordance with the Section 8 requirements. Applicants with low income, no criminal record, and who are legal U.S. citizens run a very good chance of being approved for Section 8 housing.

Learn How to Apply for Section 8 Housing in Georgia

Learning how to apply for Section 8 housing before filling out an application is beneficial. If an application has any discrepancies or incorrect information, then it will be denied and the applicant will not be able to submit another one for the duration of one year. If an applicant has a visual impairment, then he or she may ask for assistance in order to register for section 8 housing program benefits. Applicants who are accepted into Section 8 will either be put on a wait list or issued a housing voucher.

Applicants who are approved for Section 8 housing must undergo the process of verification. As part of the verification process, a corresponding HUD application must be filled out. This can be done by either filling out an online application for low income housing or by completing a paper application. The online application contains a step-by-step instruction guide that shows the applicant how to sign up for Section 8.

Any applicant who opts to submit a paper application and needs help filling out the HUD Section 8 application form can get assistance from a representative at the HUD office. Once an application has been filled out and submitted, the applicant should receive a reply letter within two weeks. If no letter arrives within the two week waiting period, an applicant can check status for Section 8 application with the office in which the application was filed.

Learn About Section 8 Waiting Lists in Georgia

Anyone who needs information about Section 8 waiting lists should call the nearest HUD office as they keep all records on Section 8 housing program application waiting lists. The waiting lists include every applicant who has been approved for Section 8 and has received or is waiting to receive a housing voucher. Applicants are advised to check waiting list status for Section 8 often as these lists are constantly subject to change. Applicants can be taken off of the low income housing waiting list by failing to update their information regularly.

When will the Section 8 waiting lists open? There is no annual opening period for wait lists; wait lists can be closed indefinitely or periodically opened. To find information about a specific wait list, applicants can call the housing authorities in that county. If an applicant was approved for Section 8 and fails to see their name on the Section 8 housing waiting list 2016, they are encouraged to get in touch with the HUD office.

Learn About Section 8 Denials in Georgia

Section 8 applicants will receive a reply letter within the two weeks of submitting an application. A Section 8 denial letter is sent to applicants who were not accepted into the program. The denial letter will list what are the reasons for Section 8 denial in specific detail. Any applicant who feels that their denial was given in error can apply for an appeal. A Section 8 denial appeal will re-review the application to see if the denial was mistaken.

Section 8 housing disqualifications most often result from discrepancies on the application. If any part of an application is filled out with incorrect or false information, the application will be denied. Applicants who want to know what to do if Section 8 application was denied should contact the local housing authority. A housing agent will know how to appeal section 8 denial and can guide the applicant through the best course of action.

Website: Local Offices.

State: Georgia