Delaware Section 8

In Delaware, the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) administers the Housing Choice Voucher Program, formerly known as Section 8, in Kent and Sussex Counties only, and it administers 902 vouchers. DSHA states that it is one of five housing authorities in the state, that each operates independently, and that households elsewhere should contact their local authority directly. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sets the income limits and Fair Market Rents that they use.

Who is eligible for Section 8 in Delaware?

To be eligible for a Housing Choice Voucher, your household must meet three requirements:¹

• Your income must generally be at or below the very low-income limit for your county and household size.
• You must be a “family,” which includes a single person, and at least one member must be a U.S. citizen or have eligible immigration status.
• You must meet the housing agency’s screening requirements.

What is the income limit for Section 8 in Delaware?

For a Housing Choice Voucher, a family generally has to be at or below the very low-income limit, which is 50% of the area’s median family income.¹ In Delaware, that limit for a family of four is between $51,600 and $61,350 a year, depending on the county. For a family of three it is between $46,450 and $55,250.²

At least 75% of new vouchers go to families under the extremely low-income limit, which is 30% of the area median. The calculator above shows all three limits for your county and household size. Your housing agency makes the final decision, and meeting the limit does not guarantee a voucher.

What is the Fair Market Rent in Delaware?

Fair Market Rent (FMR) is HUD’s estimate of what a modest rental costs in an area, including utilities. In Delaware, the FY2027 FMR for a two-bedroom unit ranges from $1,498 a month in Sussex County to $1,860 in New Castle County.³ Your housing agency sets a payment standard, usually between 90% and 110% of the FMR, that limits how much of your rent a voucher can cover.⁴

Is Section 8 open in Delaware?

DSHA’s subsidized rental programs page does not state a waiting list status. DSHA keeps a combined waiting list for public housing and vouchers, and applicants who live in Kent or Sussex County have priority. Working families, people age 62 or over and people with disabilities also receive preference. Other agencies open their lists only for certain periods, so ask each local agency about the status of its list.

How much does Section 8 pay in Delaware?

In Delaware, the rental subsidy is typically calculated as the difference between 30% of the household’s adjusted gross income and the current applicable payment standard.

How do I apply for Section 8 in Delaware?

There is no cost to apply. DSHA applicants apply through its AffordableHousing.com portal or may call the admissions office at 302-739-6940. DSHA lists these other housing authorities: Dover at 302-678-1965, Newark at 302-366-0826, New Castle at 302-395-5600 and Wilmington at 302-429-6700. For other areas, apply through the public housing agency that serves the county or city.

1. Find your local PHA. Each county or metropolitan area has its own public housing agency (PHA) with a separate waiting list. You may apply to more than one agency.
2. Join the waiting list. Submit a pre-application when the list is open. Agencies commonly ask for proof of identity, income and household composition.
3. Wait for your turn. The wait varies by agency. An agency may remove an applicant who does not respond to its notices, so keep your contact information current.
4. Receive and use your voucher. The agency inspects the unit before the lease begins. You pay a share of your income toward rent, and the voucher covers the rest up to the agency’s payment standard.⁴

If you need help locating a PHA, call HUD’s PIH Customer Service Center at (800) 955-2232 or look up through the official HUD’s directory of public housing agencies (PHAs).

What is the Delaware State Rental Assistance Program?

DSHA also runs the State Rental Assistance Program, which accepts referrals only from the Department of Health and Social Services or the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families. The tenant pays 28% of income toward rent, and the income limit is 50% of the State Median Income or less.