The federal housing assistance program people commonly refer to as Section 8 is officially the Housing Choice Voucher Program. The program is administered by individual states and allows participants to only pay 30 percent of their monthly income in rent. The local housing agency pays the landlord the remainder. To qualify for Section 8 in California, your income cannot exceed 50 percent of the median income in your county. Prospective tenants need to apply to participate in the program.
Instructions
1. Go to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development California HCV website to locate your city's housing authority contact information.
2. Call the housing authority and request information on apply for Section 8. Some counties have an online application process, but many require a paper application. You can usually download the form from your city's housing authority website or request one be mailed to you.
3. Complete the application with information about your household members and finances. This includes everyone's name, date of birth and Social Security number, as well as a driver's license or other official photo ID for adults in the household. You must report all income, even social service benefits such as cash assistance and Social Security payments. To prove California residency, you must provide a recent utility bill or your lease or deed.
4. Return the application to your city's housing authority office. A caseworker will process your application and send you a notice with the date and time of your mandatory interview. All adult members of the household must attend the interview.
5. Arrive at the interview and fill out additional paperwork concerning the background check all housing authorities conduct on Section 8 applicants.
6. Provide the names and contact information of your current and previous landlords and personal and professional references who can vouch for your rental history and character. The housing authority will also check the criminal background of all adult applicants. Federal law bars felons from participating in the Section 8 program.
7. Answer the questions the caseworkers asks during the interview truthfully. Most of the questions are simply to verify the information on your application and ensure you have completed everything correctly, so you will not be "grilled" on your financial history or money management. However, the caseworker will verify your answers with government agencies and other sources, and any fraudulent information you provide could be cause for denial of your application.
8. Wait for notice of acceptance into your city's Section 8 program. Areas such as San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco can have waiting lists that span two to five years, so you may not hear back right away.
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