Section 8

Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 provides financial support and aid to hundreds of families but it has its roots in the times of the Great Depression.

In the year 1937, the Congress Government of the United States passed the U.S Housing Act, which sparked off the beginning of federal housing assistance in the country.

Over the years the Housing Act was amended several times to adapt to the changing economic climate and the needs and requirements of the people.

It was in the year 1974 that Housing Choice Voucher Program — often simply known as Section 8, was created and since then it has become the dominant form of federal housing assistance.

What is Section 8?

Section 8 program is federally funded but run by a network of about 2,170 state and local housing agencies that helps low-income families afford decent and safe housing. ¹

Section 8 comes in the form of subsidies. Through the voucher system, the recipient searches for an apartment in private market and pays about 30—40% of their income for rent, while the rest is paid with federal money. ²

HUD’s other main rental program, public housing, places households in units owned and managed by the housing agency. See public housing for single mothers for how the two programs differ.

Who qualifies for Section 8?

Groups targeted by Section 8 include low-income families with children, the elderly and people with disabilities who spent a large chunk of their meagre earnings on housing.

Priority is given to extremely low-income (ELI) families with children, those with household earnings less than 30% of an area’s median income or the poverty line, whichever is higher. ³

By federal law, at least 75% of all new Housing Choice Vouchers issued each year by Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) must go to families in this ELI category.⁴

To check where your household stands, use the Section 8 calculator, which shows HUD’s income limits for your county.

Which states had the most Section 8 households in 2025?

As of December 31, 2025, California had the most households using a Housing Choice Voucher, with 316,630 households, followed by New York with 247,467 and Texas with 150,345. The ten states below account for 58% of all voucher households.⁵

Among these ten states, Texas has the highest share of voucher households headed by a female with children, at 43%.

See Section 8 vouchers in every state for the full ranking.

What is Fair Market Rent (FMR)?

The amount of subsidy that the federal government will pay under the housing choice voucher program (Section 8) is predetermined by the “Fair Market Rent” (FMR) values for each county in the country.

The Fair Market Rent is the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s estimate of the amount needed to cover the rent and utility costs of a modest housing unit in a given local area.

Every year, HUD publishes the Fair Market Rents for each county and metropolitan area. For example, the FY2027 FMR for a one-bedroom unit in Clarke County, VA is $2,204, while the same unit in Knox County in Illinois is $711.

FMR is not the average rent in an area, and it is not the amount every voucher holder receives. It is a rent standard for modest housing. Most local housing agencies set their payment standards between 90% and 110% of the applicable FMR, though HUD allows exceptions. Your share of the rent is generally based on your income. If the rent and utility costs are higher than the payment standard, you may have to pay the difference.⁶

How can I find the FMR for my county?

Use our Section 8 calculator to find the FMR for your area. Select your state and county, then choose the number of bedrooms. You can also ask our AI assistant to look it up. Both use HUD’s FY2027 list, which includes studio and one- to four-bedroom units.

How do I apply online for Section 8?

If you are interested in applying for a voucher, you contact either the local PHA serving your community or the Office of Public Housing within your local HUD office.

However, since the demand for housing assistance often exceeds the limited resources available to HUD and the local housing agencies, long waiting periods (of three to six years) are not uncommon.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Office of Public and Indian Housing
(800) 955-2232

How long is the waiting list for Section 8?

Section 8 program has historically been oversubscribed and waiting lists can run into the years. And yet there is no guarantee that you will ever receive a spot on the waiting list.

Wait times vary across the country but average close to two and a half years nationally. Averages by state range from 6 months in Texas, nine months in Nebraska and West Virginia to five years in Alabama. ⁷

In New York, the wait times vary depending on a combination of factors, including your place on the list, established preferences, your income, and voucher availability.

In general, waiting lists for Section 8 are longer than public housing. However, unlike public housing, if you get a voucher, you can use it anywhere in the state.

For further information about Section 8 voucher program, including eligibility requirements for both tenants and landlords’ residences, can be found from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Office of Public and Indian Housing
(800) 955-2232

FAQ

What disqualifies you from Section 8?

Housing agencies may deny an application or end assistance for several reasons. Some denials are required by federal rules; others depend on the agency’s policies and the circumstances of the case.⁸⁹ Examples include:

• At the time of admission, your household’s annual income is above the applicable limit.
• Your household does not meet HUD’s citizenship or eligible immigration status requirements.
• A household member is subject to a lifetime sex offender registration requirement.
• A household member was convicted of manufacturing methamphetamine in federally assisted housing.
• A household member was evicted from federally assisted housing for drug-related criminal activity within the past three years, unless an exception applies.
• The agency determines that a household member is currently engaging in illegal drug use or has recently engaged in drug-related or violent criminal activity.

Income limits determine eligibility when a household is admitted; they do not by themselves determine whether a current participant can continue receiving assistance. Each agency’s administrative plan explains its screening rules and any local policies.

Can single mothers get Section 8?

Yes. Single parents qualify under the same income rules as other households, and families with children are among the groups the program is designed to serve. Housing agencies must give at least 75% of new vouchers to extremely low-income families,⁴ and each agency sets its own local preferences in its administrative plan. Meeting the income limit does not guarantee a voucher, because waiting lists are long.

Is it hard to get approved for Section 8?

Meeting the income and other eligibility requirements does not guarantee a voucher. Demand exceeds the number available, and many waiting lists are closed. A 2021 analysis of HUD data found that households who received a voucher in 2020 had waited about 28 months on average;⁷ current waits vary by agency, and that average does not predict how long a new applicant will wait. You may apply to more than one agency with an open list. Check each agency’s application rules and local preferences.

How do I know if the Section 8 waiting list is open in my area?

Each local housing agency opens and closes its own waiting list, so there is no single national answer. Contact the housing agency serving your community and ask whether its list is open, or check its website for announcements. Some lists accept applications only during a short period.