Have you heard of Section 8, but you’re not exactly sure how it works? While many people know it by that name, its official name is the Housing Choice Voucher program — a federal program run by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that helps low-income families pay part of the rent for a private home or apartment.
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It’s important to be clear: the program does not provide free housing. Instead, it offers a voucher that allows families to rent a home on the private market, as long as the landlord agrees to participate and the property meets HUD’s inspection requirements.
Who can qualify?
Eligibility depends mainly on household income and the number of people in the family. Seniors, people with disabilities, and other families who meet the requirements set by the local housing authority may also qualify. In addition, the program verifies eligible immigration status for applicants according to federal rules.
How do you apply?
There isn’t a single national list to apply for the benefit. Each city or county runs its own program and opens applications only when there is availability. For that reason, waiting lists can stay closed for months — or even years.
In most cases, applications are submitted online when the local housing authority opens the process, although some agencies also offer in-person or phone options.
Experts recommend checking the official website of the housing authority for the city or county where you want to live to find out when waiting lists will reopen.
How much money can the program cover?
There is no fixed amount for every family. The subsidy depends on factors such as household income, family size, the number of bedrooms approved, and the cost of rent in the area where the home is located.
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In general terms, the family typically pays about 30% of its adjusted income, while the program covers the rest—up to the limit set by the local housing authority.
For example, a family of four with an adjusted monthly income of $4,000 would pay about $1,200 toward rent. If the approved rent were $2,300, the program could cover about $1,100, as long as the home meets the rules and limits set by the local authority.
In Miami-Dade, income limits to qualify depend on household size. For a family of four, the very low-income category has an annual limit of $68,100, although final eligibility depends on the evaluation of each case.
What if you’re a property owner?
Property owners can also take part in the program. If they choose to rent to a Section 8 tenant, the local housing authority inspects the property and, once approved, pays the landlord directly for the portion of the rent covered by the program. The tenant pays the remaining amount they are responsible for.
In Miami-Dade, the Housing Choice Voucher program is the largest in Florida and provides housing assistance to more than 45,000 people, although demand remains high and waiting lists open only during specific periods.
This story was translated from Spanish with the help of a generative artificial intelligence tool. An NBC6 editor reviewed the translation.
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