Application Instructions for Rhode Island Section 8

Step 1

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Rhode Island Housing are working together to provide low-income assistance and safe housing for households. Your household is unable to find somewhere safe to live, or your household cannot afford to pay for housing in Rhode Island, then you may benefit from Section 8 services. Rhode Island Housing provides Section 8 services through the assistance of local public housing authorities. The following section 8 programs are available in Rhode Island:

• The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program
• The Section 8 subsidized apartment rental assistance program
  

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program provide household with income assistance so they can afford housing. Through this program landlords are chosen from privately owned apartments, houses, condos, and townhomes. You are responsible for finding your own home, and the landlord must participate in the Section 8 program. Additionally, the home must pass HUD requirements for safe and sanitary housing. When you are approved for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program your landlord will receive a subsidy it covers part of your rent. You are responsible for paying up to 30 percent of your income for your rent each month. The Section 8 subsidy covers the remaining portion.

The Section 8 subsidized apartment rental assistance program provide safe housing for individuals and families unable to find affordable housing in Rhode Island. This program places you and project-based housing units that are determined according to the PHA area that you apply to for assistance. As long as you live in the public housing unit selected for you, then you will receive the housing subsidy and predetermined rate for your rent. However, if you decide to move out of the unit, then you also lose your Section 8 benefits.

Who can Qualify for Section 8?

To qualify for Rhode Island Section 8 you must be able to prove your income, and that income must not exceed low income limits.  Everyone in your household must be currently living in Rhode Island. You all must be either a US citizen or a naturalized immigrant with permanent residency status. Additionally, the individual in your household who is applying for section 8 services must be at least 18 years old. If there is someone in your household who is elderly or disabled you must be given priority for housing assistance under the HUD guidelines.

You will have to pass a criminal background check, as will all of the adults living in your household. Also if your household has any negative past rental history or with Section 8 programs in the past this can jeopardize your chances of qualifying.

How to Apply

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Rhode Island Housing are working together to provide low-income assistance and safe housing for households. Your household is unable to find somewhere safe to live, or your household cannot afford to pay for housing in Rhode Island, then you may benefit from Section 8 services. Rhode Island Housing provides Section 8 services through the assistance of local public housing authorities. The following section 8 programs are available in Rhode Island:

• The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program
• The Section 8 subsidized apartment rental assistance program
  

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program provide household with income assistance so they can afford housing. Through this program landlords are chosen from privately owned apartments, houses, condos, and townhomes. You are responsible for finding your own home, and the landlord must participate in the Section 8 program. Additionally, the home must pass HUD requirements for safe and sanitary housing. When you are approved for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program your landlord will receive a subsidy it covers part of your rent. You are responsible for paying up to 30 percent of your income for your rent each month. The Section 8 subsidy covers the remaining portion.

The Section 8 subsidized apartment rental assistance program provide safe housing for individuals and families unable to find affordable housing in Rhode Island. This program places you and project-based housing units that are determined according to the PHA area that you apply to for assistance. As long as you live in the public housing unit selected for you, then you will receive the housing subsidy and predetermined rate for your rent. However, if you decide to move out of the unit, then you also lose your Section 8 benefits.