Application Instructions for North Dakota Section 8
Step 1
Individuals and families in need of affordable and safe housing can apply for North Dakota Section 8 services. The North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDHFA) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) work together to provide local access to Section 8 assistance. This assistance is available through your local public housing authority for the following programs:
- Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program
- Family public housing
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program provides individuals and households with rental assistance. This service allows households the flexibility of living in a privately-owned residence, such as an apartment, townhome, condo, or single family dwelling. You are responsible for finding affordable housing in North Dakota that meets the Section 8 and HUD standards of requirement. This includes providing safe and sanitary housing.
Your landlord must be registered and approved to receive Section 8 subsidies for your rent. Once you are approved for the HCV program you must pay up to 30 percent of your adjusted income toward rent. The subsidy covers the remaining balance each month.
Family public housing is available throughout North Dakota and includes more than 3,000 subsidized units set aside for Section 8 recipients. This program is for families and individuals who have been displaced, such as due to domestic violence or homelessness, and are in need of housing. The rent for family public housing in North Dakota is set at a flat fee. This fee is determined in the same way as the Housing Choice Voucher program, to ensure you are paying 30 percent of your adjusted income toward rent.
The main difference between the Housing Choice Voucher program and the family public housing program is that you cannot choose where to live with the public housing. Additionally, if you decide to move out of your selected HUD apartment, then you will lose your Section 8 benefits and have to reapply for services at a later date.
Who can Qualify for Section 8?
North Dakota Section 8 is primarily for moderate- to low-income households. This is the primary factor in qualifying for services. Compare your household income using the statewide income limits for North Dakota. For example, if you have a household of four people your total annual income cannot exceed $63,050 to be considered low-income for Section 8 services.
If you meet the low-income limit, you may qualify for services. Additionally, if someone in your household is elderly or disabled you will be given priority for Section 8 housing. HUD also requires you to meet certain qualifications before you will be approved for services:
- You are a US citizen or naturalized immigrant, as is everyone in your household.
- The person applying for services for your household is at least 18 years old.
- You are currently living in North Dakota.
- You can pass a criminal background check without cause of alarm, i.e. you do not have drug convictions, etc.
- You have a good rental history with your current landlord, previous landlords, and any other Section 8 programs.
These are the basic qualifiers, and you will have to prove each factor during the application process for North Dakota Section 8 programs.
How to Apply
Apply for Section 8 in North Dakota by contacting a PHA office in your area. The office will direct you to open waitlists in the area. Currently the waitlists that are open include:
- 14 waitlists for the Housing Choice Vouchers program
- 11 waitlists for the family public housing program
You will need to submit an application to get on a waitlist. Additionally, you can apply to several waitlists, as well as for waitlists for the HCV program and the family public housing program. This will increase your household’s odds of being selected for services.
When you receive a letter notifying you that your household has been selected from a waitlist, reply immediately. If the PHA office requests additional documentation or an interview with your household, complete these steps. This is important so to ensure your application is processed correctly, and so you can get into a Section 8 housing program as soon as possible.
If you applied to the Housing Choice Voucher program you can start searching for affordable Section 8 housing in North Dakota. You will need to apply with the landlord of a privately-owned residence in the same manner as someone who is not receiving assistance. Once you select a unit to rent your subsidy will be sent to the landlord directly.
To learn more about how the Section 8 application process works in North Dakota contact your HUD representative at the Fargo Field Office.