Section 8 housing in Colorado was started in 1974 to help struggling families find safe low income housing. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) oversees the dispersal of government funding to Colorado’s Division of Housing (DOH), who then distributes housing vouchers to applicants who have been approved for the program. Each county has their own housing authority that oversees vouchers for that area. Anyone over the age of 18 that meets Section 8 requirements may apply for low income house rentals, so long as they are a legal U.S. citizen. To learn more about the Section 8 housing program, read through the topics below:

• Section 8 eligibility in Colorado
• How to apply for Section 8 housing in Colorado
• Information about Section 8 waiting lists in Colorado
• Section 8 denials in Colorado

Learn About Section 8 Requirements in Colorado

What are the requirements for Section 8 in Colorado? The most important eligibility factor for Section 8 is the household’s combined income. Applicants who earn significantly less than the median income level for their area are will be considered for Section 8 housing. Section 8 eligibility is also determined by an applicant’s household size, citizenship status, criminal background, and rental history.

“What do I need to apply for Section 8 housing?” is a popular question posed by potential Section 8 applicants. Section 8 requires that the applicant submit the necessary documents for every household member. Required documents include but are not limited to, social security cards, birth certificates, passports, pay stubs, bank statements and criminal records. Applicants who receive any other forms of government aid must also provide documentation of this fact.

What are the qualifications for low income housing? As previously stated, a Colorado applicant must fall below the median income level of the area of residency in order to qualify for Section 8. Most of the housing vouchers are distributed to applicants who fall in the very-low income bracket. Applicants must also be at least 18 years old and a United States citizen, or permanent legal resident to apply for Section 8 housing. Households with young children, women who are pregnant, veterans, seniors or a disabled family member will be considered for preferential housing. Applicants or household members with a criminal background evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Lifetime registered sex offenders are not eligible to receive Section 8 aid.

Potential Section 8 applicants wondering, “Do I qualify for Section 8 housing?” should evaluate their current situation and decide if their household would be eligible for benefits. Applicants who meet the income requirement, and do not have a criminal background stand a good chance of being considered for low income housing.

Learn How to Apply for Section 8 Housing in Colorado

Once a Section 8 application has been approved, the verification process begins with submission of the HUD Section 8 housing application. Some HUD offices offer an online application for low income housing to make the process easier for applicants with computer access. The online process guides and instructs applicants on how to sign up for Section 8 step-by-step. Applicants can also fill out a paper application in person at the local HUD office.

Once the Section 8 application has been submitted, an applicant can expect to receive a letter confirming Section 8 approval or denial within two-weeks’ time. If the Section 8 letter has not arrived within two weeks, then an applicant should check status for Section 8 housing by contacting the Colorado housing authority. If an approval letter arrives, the applicant will either be granted a housing voucher right away or placed on a waiting list until a housing voucher becomes available.

Learn About Section 8 Waiting Lists in Colorado

Vouchers in Colorado become available when someone either leaves the Section 8 housing program or they are taken off of the waiting list for one reason or another. Sometimes more vouchers are added, but the fact remains that there is overwhelming demand for Section 8 housing vouchers in Colorado. The housing authority is in charge of the Section 8 housing program application waiting list, which is updated regularly. Applicants with outdated information will be taken off of the low income housing waiting list.

When will the Section waiting lists open? Wait list openings vary by county. While some wait lists are open indefinitely, others remain closed for years at a time. Information on the Section 8 housing waiting list is updated regularly, so if an approved applicant cannot find his or her name on the list, then the local housing authority should be contacted to check waiting list status for Section 8.

Learn About Section 8 Denials in Colorado

A Section 8 denial letter is sent to applicants who are considered ineligible to receive Section 8 aid. What are the reason for Section 8 denial? An applicant can be denied aid for several different reasons. The Section 8 denial letter will explain the exact reason an applicant was denied. Applicants who feel that their denial was made in error can file a Section 8 denial appeal. For instructions on how to appeal a Section 8 denial, applicants can contact the housing authority.

Section 8 housing disqualifications are often due to discrepancies between the application and the submitted documents. Applications with inaccurate or missing information will be disqualified. Applicants who need further assistance can contact the housing authority for directions on what to do if Section 8 application was denied.

Website: Local Offices.

State: Colorado