Texas Section 8

In Texas, Section 8 vouchers are run by many local housing agencies, and by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) in some areas. Each agency keeps its own waiting list. 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 Texas?

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 Texas?

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 Texas, that limit for a family of four is between $41,850 and $69,850 a year, depending on the county. For a family of three it is between $37,700 and $62,900.²

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 Texas?

Fair Market Rent (FMR) is HUD’s estimate of what a modest rental costs in an area, including utilities. In Texas, the FY2027 FMR for a two-bedroom unit ranges from $1,014 a month in 62 counties (including Baylor County) to $1,817 in 5 counties (including Bastrop 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 Texas?

It depends on the housing agency. Each agency opens its waiting list only for certain periods, and many lists are closed. TDHCA, which runs vouchers in some areas, takes applications only during short, announced periods. Check TDHCA’s Section 8 page  for the status of its waiting list, and ask your local agency about its own.

How do I apply for Section 8 in Texas?

Contact the housing agency that serves your county Contact the housing agency that serves your county and ask whether its waiting list is open.

If you need help locating one, 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) .