Learn About Section 8 Housing in Virginia

The low income house rentals program in Virginia, as well as in other states, is commonly referred to as Section 8. Virginia Section 8 housing is one of the programs and initiatives run by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The goal of HUD is to help those that cannot afford other forms of housing, and to decrease the homeless population. Virginia low income housing applicants must fill out forms provided by the state’s housing authority, the Virginia Housing Development Authority. The VA Section 8 housing application will then be approved or denied by the VHDA, depending on the information provided. Further information about the Virginia Section 8 application process is provided in the sections below:

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

Learn About Section 8 Requirements in Virginia

“Do I qualify for Section 8 housing in Virginia?” is the first question that applicants should ask of both themselves and the VHDA. However, applicants will not have to ask “What are the qualifications for low income housing in VA?” because all of that information will be provided in a clear list by the housing office.

Section 8 eligibility is primarily determined by income, or more accurately, a lack of income. HUD determines the maximum household earnings allowed for Section 8 applicants in a given state or area each year. In Virginia, there are three Section 8 income qualification levels. Those in the lowest income bracket tend to be awarded housing first, while those in bracket three may have very long wait times for housing assistance.

What are the requirements for Section 8 besides low income? Typically, the household applying for the HUD Section 8 program must already be located in the same Virginia county or city where they want to be placed. Also, no member of the household can have a felony criminal record when applying for low income housing assistance. Section 8 eligibility in Virginia will be denied for a household if any member has been convicted of a felony.

“What do I need to apply for Section 8 assistance?” is another question that low-income housing petitioners might have. All Section 8 applicants will need to provide recent photo identification, proof of citizenship, and proof that they currently reside at an address in the city or county where they are applying. Social Security cards, birth certificates, utility bills, and paystubs can all be used to prove a Section 8 applicant’s residency and identity.

Learn How to Apply for Section 8 Housing in Virginia

How to sign up for Section 8 in Virginia is clearly explained on the application. The online application for low income housing can be easily accessed, or Section 8 applicants can go to their local housing authority office to obtain a physical form.

The HUD Section 8 application can be filled out by the petitioner at any time. Once it is completed, it can be turned in to any VHDA office in person, by fax or by mail. However, the process to register for Section 8 housing programs can take a long time, which means that applicants should be as accurate as possible when filling out the form, so that their applications stand the best chance of being accepted quickly.

Virginia HUD Section 8 applications include questions about job-related income, residency, property ownership, child support payments, and other income sources. Information and proof regarding any disabilities that a household member has should also be included. Section 8 applicants will need to provide all related information and identification for each adult member of the household. To check status for Section 8 application forms after they have been submitted, petitioners can call, visit their local housing authority office or go online.

Learn About Section 8 Waiting Lists in Virginia

The Section 8 housing program application waiting list in Virginia is also known as the housing choice voucher waiting list, because Section 8 applicants who are approved receive vouchers. The voucher recipients can then use those vouchers towards rent at pre-approved, privately owned locations throughout Virginia. The VA low income housing waiting list can be very long due to the high demand for HUD housing assistance. In order to get on the Section 8 housing waiting list 2016, applicants must be approved during a period when the waiting list is open.

When will the Section 8 waiting list open in VA? The Virginia waiting list for housing choice vouchers can open or close at any time, depending on the number of applicants. The sooner Section 8 petitioners apply, the faster they can potentially get on the waiting list. Applicants can check waiting list status for Section 8 applications at their local housing authority office in person, by phone, or online at any time.

Once low income housing waiting list applicants on the waiting list are finally issued vouchers, it may be necessary for them to get on another waiting list. That is because the individual apartments they want to live in may all be occupied. A secondary Section 8 housing program application waiting list may be maintained by the owner of the apartment building or complex. Once a tenant leaves, the owner will call the first name on the list.

Learn About Section 8 Denials in Virginia

Section 8 housing disqualifications in Virginia can occur for some low-income housing applicants. When that happens, the housing assistance petitioner will receive a letter in the mail. To answer the question “What are the reasons for Section 8 denial?” petitioners should look closely at the guidelines provided by the Virginia Housing Development Authority. It is important for applicants to make sure that they meet all of those requirements.

To figure out what to do if your Section 8 application was denied, refer to your denial letter. The Virginia Section 8 denial letter will indicate the exact reason for your rejection. That reason could be anything from your failing a background check to your earning too much income. However, it is also possible that the denial is unwarranted and that it was made due to some sort of error.

As far as figuring out how to appeal Section 8 denials, time and accuracy are of the essence. If the Section 8 petitioner feels that he or she was wrongfully denied, he or she can dispute the rejection. However, the VA Section 8 denial appeal must be submitted within two weeks to dispute the issue, and proof must be provided as to why the denial was unwarranted. The Virginia Section 8 denial appeal process can be started with or without the help of legal counsel, but the success rate tends to be higher when lawyers are involved in the dispute proce

Website: Local Offices.

State: Virginia

Contact Information

  • Office Name/Address

    Richmond Field Office

    600 East Broad Street

    3rd Floor

    Richmond, VA 23219-4920

  • Manager

    CARRIE S. SCHMIDT

    Field Office Director

  • Phone/Fax

    (804) 822-4805

    Fax

    (804) 822-4984

    Email

  • Region/Regional Office

    Region III

    Philadelphia PA