How to Find Out If Section 8 Is Open in the Tri-State Area

Section 8, also known as the Housing Choice Voucher program, is a federal subsidy that covers the portion of a family's private market rent that exceeds 30 to 40 percent of their combined household income. Congress funds it annually and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) oversees the Section 8 initiative. Local public housing agencies (PHAs) administer the program to areas they cover throughout the New York-New Jersey-Connecticut tri-state area. Demand and the availability of resources dictate whether or not the Section 8 program is open where you live.

• 1

  Contact the PHA that governs your area. You can search for yours at HUD's website (see Resources).

• 2

  Call and ask if your PHA's Section 8 program is open. Alternatively, you can visit your PHA's website. Many, but not all, provide an update on the program's status. A majority of PHAs use waiting lists to regulate access to Section 8. Some PHAs close their waiting lists when demand reaches a certain level. HUD does not control the opening and closing of Section 8 waiting lists; it leaves these decisions to the PHAs.

• 3

  Check the local newspaper and other media sources. The Code of Federal Regulations requires PHAs to issue public notices in newspapers and through other media when planning to reopen a Section 8 waiting list.