Application Instructions for Indiana Section 8

Step 1

The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) provides local Section 8 services for most parts of the state. The exception is Indianapolis and Marion County, which is governed by the Indianapolis Housing Agency. These services are administered via the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Residents living full-time in Indiana can apply for the following programs to help make housing more affordable:

• Housing Choice Voucher program
• PBCA
• PBRA
• VASH

The Housing Choice Voucher program offers a subsidy to help pay for your rent. It currently supports 4,000 households in Indiana. This program gives you the freedom to choose a rental property where you want to reside, if the landlord participates in Section 8 and the accommodations meet IHCDA standards. Your household must pay a minimum of 30 percent of your total adjusted income toward rent under the HCV Program. When you apply for the Housing Choice Voucher program you will be placed on a waitlist. If there are no open waitlists, you will have to wait until a waitlist is open to applicants.

The Project-Based Contract Administration (PBCA) is a form of Section 8 that is provided by Indiana Quadel. This program includes 30,000 housing units that meet Indiana Section 8 and HUD requirements. The properties are managed by Indiana Quadel and are available to low-income households.

PBRA stands for Project-Based Rental Assistance. This Indiana Section 8 program provides subsidies to apartment rental complexes serving Section 8 applicants. These subsidies help cover the costs of housing that are above affordability for your low-income household.

VASH or HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing is a program that includes the Housing Choice Voucher program and veteran services. Homeless veterans can apply for rental assistance via the VASH program by contacting the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). VA hospitals and community outreach clinics for military vets also assist with applying for VASH assistance.

Who can Qualify for Section 8?

If you are struggling to pay for housing, or you are homeless, then you may qualify for Indiana Section 8. The primary consideration for Section 8 services is your income level. The income of your household will be taken into consideration when you apply for housing assistance. This includes the income of all individuals over 18 who are living in your household, unless they are elderly or disabled for which there is an exception.

• Your household income must be considered low-income, very low-income, or extremely low-income to be applicable. Check the income limits for Indiana to see if you qualify.

Other factors that are considered when you apply for Indiana Section 8 are based on HUD requirements. These include:

• You must be at least 18.
• You must be a full-time resident living in Indiana.
• You must be either an American citizen or a permanent legal resident.

When you apply for Section 8 in Indiana you will be screened. You will need to provide detailed information about your history via a criminal background check, references, and financial records. These factors are taken into consideration when you apply for Section 8 assistance. However, the primary factor remains that you must qualify as a low-income household.

How to Apply

To apply for Housing Choice Vouchers in Indiana contact your local public housing authority office:

• Request an application to begin the process.
• Ask your PHA agent about which application waitlists are currently open. You must apply directly to an open waitlist.

Currently Indiana has five waitlists that are open indefinitely including:

• City of Elkhart Housing Authority
• Columbus Housing Authority
• Kokomo Housing Authority
• Lafayette Housing Authority
• Lawrence County Housing Authority

Some waitlists are closed because of a high demand, while other waitlists are closed due to a lack of funding. If the waitlist in your area is currently closed, you may apply to another waitlist. To monitor when waitlists are open, check your local newspapers or contact your local PHA office.

To apply for PBCA you must contact Indiana Quadel Consulting directly at 1-800-743-3333. This agency will provide you with information about how to apply, the qualifications for the program, and waiting lists.

Apply for PBRA by contacting your local PHA office.

Homeless veterans can apply for VASH by visiting a VA hospital or community outreach affiliate.

If you have questions or concerns with Indiana Section 8 programs contact your HUD representative at the Indianapolis Field Office.