How to Qualify and Apply for West Virginia Section 8

Application Instructions for West Virginia Section 8

Step 1

In West Virginia individuals and families struggling to find affordable rental homes can get assistance through Section 8. The West Virginia Section 8 program is provided by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It is managed on a statewide level by the West Virginia Housing Development Fund. Public housing authorities (PHA) accept applications for the following programs under Section 8:

The Housing Choice Voucher program
Moderate Rehabilitation program

The Housing Choice Voucher program gives households a choice on where to live. You are required to find housing through privately-owned properties deemed as affordable housing in West Virginia. Your landlord must be accepted in the HCV program, and the home you rent must meet HUD sanitary and safety requirements. With the Housing Choice Voucher program you are given a subsidy, which is paid to your landlord, to help you pay for your rent each month. This subsidy is based on how much your rent would exceed 30 percent of your monthly income. You are subsidized the amount over the 30 percent for your rent. If you decide to move to another home you can use your HCV as long as the home is HUD-approved and within the state.

For individuals or households that have been involuntarily displaced, homeless, a veteran, or otherwise without the ability to find affordable housing, there is the Moderate Rehabilitation program. This program helps households by providing housing units that are affordable for low-income households. You apply for a particular PHA housing complex, and are provided with a set rate for your rent. This rate ensures you will not pay over 30 percent of your income on rent. When you apply for the Moderate Rehabilitation program you cannot transfer your benefits to another program, such as the Housing Choice Voucher program.

Who can Qualify for Section 8?

To qualify you must first meet the West Virginia low-income limits. If your income exceeds these limits any time during the time you apply or are in Section 8 housing, you will need to contact your PHA officer immediately to review your case.

To apply for West Virginia Section 8 you must be 18 at the time you submit your application for a waitlist.

You must have a good rental history including any rental histories with previous Section 8 programs. Your landlord will be contacted as a reference, and you will be required to show documentation of proof of rental payments.

You must not be living illegally in the US, nor can anyone living with you that is part of your household. This information will be verified using identification, birth certificates, green cards, etc.

Your household is subject to a criminal background check including the elderly and disabled individuals living with you.

These are the qualifications required to apply for Section 8 in West Virginia. While you may meet all of the qualifications for eligibility, you may still not be accepted into the program you apply to. This is often due to missing documentation or an incomplete application, so make sure to include everything requested when applying for services.

How to Apply

To begin the application process for West Virginia Section 8 services you will need to contact a public housing authority to get an application. Locate a PHA in your city or region, and then narrow down your PHA options according to the type of Section 8 provided. For example, while most PHAs offer both the Housing Choice Voucher program and public housing through the Moderate Rehabilitation program, some PHAs only offer one such program.

As noted, make sure to complete the application as best as you can. If you have any questions about the application process or how to secure Section 8 for your household, contact your HUD agent at the Charleston Field Office.

Once you have submitted your application you will be placed on a waitlist according to your location and the type of Section 8 you are applying for. The Housing Choice Voucher program currently has nine waitlists that are open. Additionally, 32 housing authorities are currently open to applicants for the Moderate Rehabilitation program.

While you wait on a waitlist, go ahead and start your search for affordable housing. This will provide you with housing options that meet low-income standards, whether or not you are selected for the Section 8 programs.