Application Instructions for Arizona Section 8
Step 1
If you are struggling to afford housing the Arizona Section 8 program is a viable option. Through Section 8 in Arizona you can apply for Project-Based Rental Assistance or Housing Choice Voucher programs. These programs grant you with a supplement to pay for housing or accommodations in an affordable public housing facility. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administers the Section 8 program. Locally, the Arizona Public Housing Authority provides access to each of these services. Find out which program best meets your housing needs:
- Housing Choice Voucher Program offers low-income individuals and families with more affordable housing. This program allows you to find private housing from landlords participating in the voucher program. The Section 8 program pays a portion of your rent, and you pay the balance.
- Project-Based Rental Assistance requires Arizona Section 8 recipients to live in project-based housing to receive housing assistance.
The goal is to ensure residents and households in Arizona are not paying more than 50 percent of their income on housing. Additionally, the Arizona Section 8 program safeguards that all residents are living in safe, secure housing.
Who can Qualify for Section 8?
To qualify for the Arizona Section 8 program, you must meet certain eligibility requirements. The primary requirement is that you must have a low income. However, you must also be a full-time resident in Arizona. Additional eligibility factors include:
- You must be 18 years old to qualify or be counted in the income level for a qualifying household.
- You must be either a US citizen or an eligible immigrant with permanent residence status
Note that you can be single and eligible for Arizona Section 8 assistance. Additionally, whoever lives with you and files as part of your legal household via your federal income tax returns is included in a household. For the low-income requirement, the household must include all income earned by those over 18.
To meet the income limit you must not make over a certain amount of money in income, assets, and other financial benefits included in your gross income. To clarify, this gross income amount is the same amount that is listed on your federal income tax return for your household.
The low-income limits for Arizona Section 8 vary according to county. Eligible applicants must meet the low, very low, or extremely low-income requirements according to the number of individuals living in the household. Overall, your household must earn 50 percent or less of the area median income (AMI) in your county of residence to qualify for Section 8 in Arizona. This is applicable for the Housing Choice Voucher program, as well as the Project-Based Rental Assistance program. Your PHA agent will cross-check your gross income with your federal tax returns to ensure your eligibility. As such, you will likely be required to provide a copy of your latest tax return when applying for Arizona Section 8 assistance.
How to Apply
Now that you have verified your eligibility for Arizona Section 8, you are ready to start the application process. Contact the nearest Arizona public housing authority (PHA) to get started and to follow up on your case. Your PHA agent will provide you with the necessary paperwork and instructions regarding any additional documents you need to apply. You will have to fulfill the requirements to be granted Section 8 assistance. Even then you may not get a Housing Choice Voucher or a project-based home immediately.
Depending on your location of residency and the current public housing assistance needs, you may be placed on a waiting list. However, three Section 8 program providers are always available:
If you are selected for the Housing Voucher Choice program the next step is choosing a home for rent. You must rent from a landlord participating in the Section 8 program. The landlord will receive a subsidy from the Section 8 program to help you cover the total cost of your rent. For those accepted into Project-Based Rental Assistance, you are provided with a home in a public housing complex. You may have to pay a minimal amount for this public housing, but it will not exceed 50 percent of your gross household income. By living in Section 8 housing you are better able to afford other necessities, while living in a safe and decent home.