Section 8 housing in Idaho in handled by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The local housing authority is responsible for both Section 8 housing as well as low income housing in Idaho. The two programs share many similarities. Both are designed to help families that would normally be unable to afford housing, but they accomplish this purpose in different ways.

Low income house rentals are made available through Section 8, which uses vouchers. The Section 8 vouchers cover the majority to 100% of the rent cost. In order to qualify for Section 8, applicants must meet a series of criteria across three main categories. For more information about Section 8 housing in Idaho, read the sections below.

Learn About Section 8 Requirements in Idaho

Potential applicants who are wondering, “Do I qualify for Section 8 housing?” will want to learn what are the requirements for Section 8 housing in Idaho. Federally funded by HUD, Section 8 has some of the same requirements as the low income housing program. What are the qualifications for low income housing in Idaho? Section 8 has three main qualification categories: income, citizenship status, and past rental history.

Applicants must be legal United States citizens in order to be eligible for Section 8. In Idaho, applicants can apply for Section 8 in any county where they are eligible for housing, even if they don’t reside in that county. Income level is one of the primary Section 8 requirements, and there are three different income bracket groups. Applicants that make less than 30 percent of the median income for the surrounding area are in the extremely low income bracket. The very low income bracket includes applicants who earn less than 50 percent of the median income. Applicants who make less than 80 percent of the median area income belong to the low income bracket.

The median area income amount changes depending on the county. The median income is also determined by family size. An applicant that lives alone will have a lower median income since he or she only has one income as opposed to larger families that might have multiple people earning incomes.

Another common question that applicants ask is “what do I need to apply for Section 8 housing in Idaho?” The initial application for Section 8 housing is short, but as the process progresses, applicants will need to provide a number of supporting documents.

Learn How to Apply for Section 8 Housing in Idaho

To register for Section 8 housing program benefits, an applicant must first fill out the HUD Section 8 application, which can be found online or at a local HUD office. While Idaho has an online application for low income housing, the forms must be printed out and submitted by mail or in person. Applicants can also have a housing authority agent fill out the application on their behalf. Applicants can check status for Section 8 applications by going online or speaking with an HUD agent. Section 8 applicants who want to learn how to sign up for Section 8 can visit an HUD office in person and speak with an agent.

The process of obtaining low income housing in Idaho is straightforward, despite having multiple steps. The initial application requires the applicant to provide basic information, such as employment and income history, as well as family size. Applicants do not have to submit any documentation with the first application. If an applicant is accepted, then he or she will go onto the next step, which involves an interview by a housing authority agent. During the interview, the applicant will have to provide the necessary documentation. Required documents include bank statements, past pay stubs, Social Security cards and identification documents.

If everything goes well during the interview, applicants will be added to the Section 8 waiting list. The final step in the process for applicants who are chosen from the waiting list is to meet with a landlord who accepts Section 8 vouchers. During this meeting, the applicant and the landlord will negotiate a lease agreement.

Learn About Section 8 Waiting Lists in Idaho

The Section 8 housing program application waiting list differs depending on the county where the applicant is trying to obtain Section 8 assistance in Idaho. Each county will open their waiting list at different times depending on housing availability in the area. In most cases, the waiting list is open for a very short period of time, typically around three to seven days. For this reason, applicants should check waiting list status for Section 8 housing in Idaho often. Most counties try to give applicants as much time as possible to prepare for the waiting list opening. Applicants wondering when will the Section 8 waiting lists open in their area can easily check online or contact the local HUD office directly.

The low income housing waiting list can be viewed by qualified applicants online or at the local housing authority. Applicants usually remain on the Section 8 housing waiting list for a period of time, which can last from a few months to a few years. In the state of Idaho there are 10 housing authorities, eight of which currently have at least a few openings.

Learn About Section 8 Denials in Idaho

Applicants who get a Section 8 denial letter will be told what to do if Section 8 application was denied in Idaho. Applicants can also look up how to appeal Section 8 denial online, or learn about the process from an HUD agent. The Section 8 denial appeal must be made within 20 days of receiving the letter. Applicants who are wondering what are reasons for Section 8 denial must read the denial letter carefully as it will explain why the applicant was determined ineligible for Section 8 aid. Common Section 8 housing disqualifications include having a criminal past, submitting an incomplete or incorrect application form or getting a negative review a previous landlord.

Website: Local Offices.

State: Idaho