Section 8 Housing Assistance
How to Apply for Section 8 Housing Assistance
The Section 8 program is the largest housing assistance program serving Maine.
It provides federal assistance to renters and homeowners with low income. This
assistance comes in the form of rental subsidies. An eligible participant pays
30% of his or her monthly adjusted income toward the rent, and the U.S. Department
of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) pays the rest.
The Section 8 program has two different kinds of vouchers: project-based vouchers
and tenant-based vouchers. Project-based vouchers are attached to a specific
property. Tenant-based vouchers are provided directly to the family or individual.
This means participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family
homes, townhouses and apartments, and they can take the voucher with them if
they move.
How do I qualify for the Section 8 Voucher program?
Eligibility is based on your total yearly gross income and family size. It
is determined by your local
public housing agency. Section 8 vouchers are limited to United States citizens
and certain categories of non-citizens who have eligible immigration status.
In general, your family’s income may not be more than 50% of the median
income for the county or metropolitan area where you live. By law, a PHA must
provide 75% of its vouchers to applicants with income under 30% of the local
median income. Median income levels vary by location.
When you apply, the PHA will collect information on your family income, assets,
and family composition. The PHA will verify this information with other local
agencies, your employer and bank, and will use the information to determine
your eligibility and the amount of the housing assistance payment.
If the PHA determines that your family is eligible, the PHA will usually put
your name on a waiting list. In some cases there may be a voucher available
immediately. The PHA will contact you when your name is at the top of the waiting
list, and issue you a housing voucher.
If you need help finding affordable housing, contact your local PHA to find
out if you are eligible and whether the program is currently accepting applications
in your area.
How long does it take to get a voucher?
It varies. The Section 8 program is not able to meet the need for affordable
housing. Because the demand for housing assistance often exceeds the limited
resources available to HUD and the PHAs, long waiting periods are common. In
fact, many PHAs close their waiting lists and stop accepting applications because
the waiting lists are so long. To find out about wait times in your area, call your local PHA.
Because of the growing need for housing assistance, some PHAs have started
to give preference to particular groups of people applying for vouchers and
will move them ahead on the waiting list. For example, a PHA may give preference
to homeless applicants or
to a household that a PHA thinks is more likely to be able to keep up with
the rent. You can ask your local PHA if it uses a preference system. If it does,
you can ask what the preference is and how those determinations are made.
If the PHA denies you a voucher it must give you prompt written notice of the
decision that includes the reason you were denied. If you disagree with the
decision, you can request an informal review.
You can apply for a Section 8 voucher and other MaineHousing programs at the
same time. For information on other programs you can visit MaineHousing’s
website or call MaineHousing toll free at 1-800-452-4668 TTY 1-800-452-4603.
How do I find a home once I have my voucher?
So you have your voucher. Now you need to find an apartment or in some cases, a home to buy. A landlord in Maine may not refuse to rent to
you just because you will be using a Section 8 voucher. This is illegal discrimination based on receipt of public assistance. You may use your
voucher with any landlord as long as the rent being charged is within the limits set by the housing authority.
When you find an apartment or home that meets all Section 8 program requirements the PHA will make a contract with the landlord to pay rent
for you. The requirements include a physical inspection to insure the building is decent, safe and clean. A landlord is not required to keep
a unit vacant for you while Section 8 comes through. It is legal for a landlord to charge you the full rent until the apartment is approved
for Section 8. Most section 8 agencies understand the need for prompt inspection and approval.
Can I use Section 8 to pay my monthly mortgage payment if I buy a home?
Yes, if your PHA has decided to offer a homeownership voucher program. Recently,
the Section 8 program was modified to allow Section 8 to help pay mortgage payments
for qualified first-time homebuyers. Contact your local PHA to find out if you
qualify.
Who Can I Contact to Learn More about Section 8 Vouchers?
You can contact your local PHA with any questions about the program.
Go here to locate regional and local
housing agencies in Maine (scroll down to "How Do I Apply?").
Or call MaineHousing toll free at 1-800-452-4668 TTY 1-800-452-4603.
There are not enough vouchers and the waiting lists are too long. We need
to increase affordable housing – and you can help!
Here are some ways that you can help increase the number of vouchers available
through Section 8:
- Come to a MAHC Meeting: Maine Affordable Housing Coalition
(MAHC) is working on a campaign to increase Section 8 vouchers. MAHC wants
to raise public awareness of the issue and increase federal investment in
the Section 8 program. If you are interested in helping the campaign, you
can come to a meeting and learn more. Please contact Robyn Merrill at Maine
Equal Justice: toll free 1(866) 626-7059, ext. 207.
- Share Your Story: As part of the Section 8 campaign, MAHC
is creating a video and a written report to share the personal stories and
experiences of families on waiting lists. If you have experience with the
Section 8 program and would like to share your story, we would love to hear
from you. Please contact Robyn Merrill at Maine Equal Justice: toll free 1
(866) 626-7059, ext. 207.
- Contact Our Senators in Congress: Take a couple of minutes
to contact Senator Collins and Senator Snowe to seek their support for more
Section 8 vouchers. It is particularly important to contact Senator Collins
because she sits on the Appropriations Committee which makes decisions on
funding for programs.
Senator Susan Collins
D.C. Office: Phone: (202) 224-2523
Bangor Office: Phone (207) 945-0417
Portland Office: Phone (207) 780-3575
Senator Olympia Snowe
D.C. Office: Phone: (202) 224-5344;
Toll free: (800) 432-1599
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