What Section 8 looks at to decide if you move forward

Section 8 programs use three main filters: your household income, your citizenship or immigration status, and whether you have an eviction or criminal record that disqualifies you in that specific program. Income is the one most people think about, but it is not the only one. A local housing authority will check all three before you can move to the next step.

Income limits vary by location and household size because they are tied to the area's median income. A family of four might be over the limit in San Francisco but under it in rural Mississippi. The housing authority in your county publishes these numbers every year, usually by March or April. You can find them on the authority's website or by calling and asking for the current income limits.

Citizenship rules are strict: you must be a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident (green card holder), or in one of a few other protected immigration statuses. Undocumented immigrants do not move forward in most programs, though a small number of local authorities have created separate voucher programs for mixed-status households. Your state housing finance agency can tell you whether your state has one.

Key Takeaways

  • Income limits depend on your household size and your county's median income, so you must check your local housing authority's current numbers rather than using a national figure.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or in another protected immigration status; undocumented immigrants are typically ineligible unless your state runs a separate program.
  • Evictions, criminal convictions, and drug-related offenses can disqualify you, but the rules vary by housing authority and some allow you to move forward after a waiting period.
  • Your household income is calculated from all sources — wages, Social Security, child support, unemployment — and includes income from all household members over 18.
  • The housing authority will ask for recent pay stubs, tax returns, and proof of other income, so gather these documents before you contact them.

How the housing authority calculates your household income

The housing authority counts income from all sources: wages, self-employment, Social Security, SSI, unemployment benefits, child support, alimony, pensions, and investment income. They include income from everyone in your household who is 18 or older, even if they are not related to you. If you live with an adult child, a parent, or a roommate, their income counts too.

They do not count certain things: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is excluded in most programs, as are some education benefits and temporary information payments. The rules on what counts and what does not vary slightly by program, so ask your local housing authority for their specific list.

The authority will ask for recent pay stubs (usually the last 30 days), tax returns from the past two years, and written proof of any other income — a Social Security statement, unemployment award letter, or child support order. If you are self-employed, bring tax returns and a profit-and-loss statement. If your income changes seasonally, bring documentation showing the pattern over a full year.

Income limits by household size and how they change

Income limits are set at a percentage of your area's median income — typically 50 percent or 80 percent depending on the program and the housing authority. A household at 50 percent of median income earns less than one at 80 percent, so different authorities use different thresholds. Some programs prioritize the lowest-income households and use the 50 percent figure; others use 80 percent and serve a wider range.

These limits are recalculated every year, usually in March or April, and they go up or down based on changes to the area's median income. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) publishes the area median income figures, and your local housing authority uses those to set their limits. You can find your area's current limits on the housing authority's website, or call them and ask for the income limit for your household size.

If your income is slightly over the limit, some housing authorities have waiting lists that move slowly enough that your income might drop below the limit by the time your name comes up. Others have no flexibility. Ask the housing authority whether being over the limit now means you are permanently ineligible or whether you can reapply later if your income changes.

Criminal history and eviction records

A criminal conviction or eviction does not automatically disqualify you, but certain offenses do. Drug-related convictions are the most common disqualifier — a conviction for manufacturing or distributing drugs typically bars you permanently. Convictions for violent crimes also usually disqualify you. The housing authority has a list of offenses that are automatic bars.

Evictions are handled differently. An eviction judgment does not automatically disqualify you, but an eviction for nonpayment of rent within the past three years often does. Some housing authorities will move forward if you can show the eviction was resolved — for example, you paid the back rent and the case was dismissed. Others have a hard three-year rule. Ask the housing authority about their specific policy before you assume you are ineligible.

If you have a record that concerns you, call the housing authority and ask directly. They can tell you whether that specific offense or eviction bars you in their program. Do not assume you are ineligible based on what you read online, because rules vary by state and by housing authority.

Citizenship and immigration status requirements

You must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident (green card holder) to move forward in the standard Section 8 program. Other protected statuses include refugees, asylees, and some visa holders, but the list is narrow. The housing authority will ask for proof: a birth certificate or passport for citizens, a green card for permanent residents, or an I-94 and employment authorization document for other statuses.

Undocumented immigrants are not may be able to access for federal Section 8 vouchers. However, a handful of states and cities have created their own housing voucher programs that serve mixed-status households. California, Illinois, and New York have programs of this type, and a few cities including Los Angeles and Chicago run them. If you are undocumented, contact your state housing finance agency or your city's housing department to ask whether a local program exists.

What happens after you pass the initial check

If your income is under the limit, your immigration status is acceptable, and you do not have a disqualifying criminal record or recent eviction, the housing authority will move you to the next step. This usually means joining a waiting list. Waiting lists vary wildly: some are open and accepting applications, others are closed and not accepting anyone new, and some have wait times of several years.

The housing authority's website will tell you whether the waiting list is open. If it is closed, ask when it typically opens again — some reopen annually, others reopen only when funding becomes available. You can also ask to be notified when the list opens, though not all authorities offer this.

Once you are on the waiting list, the housing authority will contact you when your name comes up. At that point, you will go through a more detailed interview, provide more documentation, and the authority will verify your income and background. This is when they do a thorough criminal background check and eviction history search. Passing the initial income and status check does not may provide you will be approved at the end of the process.

Documents to gather before you contact the housing authority

Bring recent pay stubs (the last 30 days if you are employed), tax returns from the past two years, and proof of any other income. If you receive Social Security, bring a benefit statement. If you receive unemployment, bring the award letter. If you receive child support or alimony, bring the court order or payment history. If you are self-employed, bring tax returns and a profit-and-loss statement.

Bring proof of citizenship or immigration status: a birth certificate, passport, green card, or I-94 and employment authorization document. Bring a photo ID. If you have been evicted in the past, bring the eviction judgment or court papers showing the outcome. If you have a criminal record, bring court documents showing the conviction and the sentence.

You do not need to have all of this before you call. The housing authority can tell you what they need and in what format. But having it ready speeds up the process and shows you are serious about moving forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my spouse's income count if we are not married but live together?

No. Only household members who are 18 or older count toward income, regardless of relationship. A spouse counts. A partner you live with counts. A roommate counts. A child under 18 does not count, even if they work.

What if I was evicted but the case was dismissed or I paid the back rent?

Some housing authorities will move forward if you can show the case was resolved. Bring the court papers showing dismissal or settlement. Other authorities have a strict rule: any eviction judgment within three years bars you. Call the housing authority and ask about their specific policy before you assume you are ineligible.

Can I reapply if I am over the income limit now?

Yes, you can reapply if your income drops below the limit. Income limits also change every year, so it is possible the limit will go up and you will fall under it. Ask the housing authority whether you can reapply in the future or whether you need to wait a certain amount of time.

Does a felony conviction always disqualify me?

No. Drug manufacturing or distribution convictions typically disqualify you permanently. Violent crime convictions usually do too. Other felonies may not. The housing authority has a specific list of offenses that are automatic bars. Call and ask whether your conviction is on that list.

What if I have a pending criminal case?

A pending case is different from a conviction. The housing authority will likely ask about it and may wait for the outcome before making a decision. Be honest about any pending cases when you contact them — they will find out anyway during the background check.