FAQ

How long were HCV waiting lists kept open in the United States in the last few years?

On average, Section 8 HCV waiting lists in the United States remained accessible for approximately 575 days over the past three years. A significant portion of these lists had brief durations of availability. Within the same timeframe, 25% were accessible for seven days or less, and 7.9% were accessible for only one day (or even just a few hours). Consequently, it’s crucial for low-income renters to promptly apply upon discovering an open waiting list.

What level of difficulty might I encounter in obtaining a voucher if I am not presently residing within the jurisdiction served by the housing authority?

Renters have the option to apply to any open HCV waiting list nationwide. The program aims to facilitate mobility, enabling renters to relocate to areas with greater opportunities. Certain housing authorities prioritize local residents when placing applicants on their waiting lists. While individuals residing outside the area can still join the waiting list, they may face prolonged wait times before receiving a voucher, if they receive one at all. In the past three years, 31.8% of the opened waiting lists in the United States have implemented a preference for local residents.

How fair is waiting list placement in the United States?

During the past three years, 19.9% of housing authorities in the United States utilized random lotteries to allocate applicants on their waiting lists. For applicants positioned at the lower end of a waiting list, the wait for a voucher offer can extend up to two or three years. Employing a random lottery to place applicants on a waiting list ensures that everyone has an equitable opportunity to secure a higher position on the list. Many housing authorities opt to rank applicants based on the date and time of their application submission. This approach can result in extended waits for assistance, particularly when waiting lists are only open for a few days or less, which is especially inequitable.

What income bracket do households fall into that are served by HCV programs provided by housing authorities in the United States?

As per HUD regulations, households seeking to obtain a voucher must generally have an income that does not surpass 50% of the median income (50% AMI) for the county or metropolitan region in which they plan to reside. Furthermore, housing authorities are mandated by law to allocate 75% of their vouchers to applicants with incomes not exceeding 30% of the area median income (30% AMI). Households with a 50% AMI fall under the category of very low-income (VLI), while those with a 30% AMI are classified as extremely low-income (ELI). ELI households constitute a subset of the VLI households served by housing authorities. Within the voucher programs operated by housing authorities across the United States, VLI households represent 95% of voucher recipients, while ELI households account for 77% of voucher recipients.

Why are there Section 8 waiting lists?

Similar to many other low-income housing initiatives, individuals seeking a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher are placed on a waiting list due to the substantial demand for vouchers outweighing the available supply. The waiting lists for Section 8 vouchers also tend to be lengthier compared to those of other housing programs, primarily because recipients have the flexibility to choose their preferred apartment or house. In contrast, most other rental housing programs mandate that households reside in predetermined apartments.