Imagine only having to pay 30 percent of your income towards rent. With the government shelling out the rest to your landlord, you’d be in a great position to get back on your feet. You wouldn’t have to worry so much about overpaying for housing. Best of all, you could concentrate on building your future so you can put that felony behind you.
What allows you to pay so little for rent? A Housing Choice Voucher from the government’s Section 8 program. They initiated it to help low-income people get affordable housing, and you could receive such benefits even if you have a felony. To increase your chances of becoming a Section 8 recipient, follow these tips:
1. Know which felonies stand out.
In the eyes of the Section 8 program and your local Public Housing Agency (PHA), all felonies are not created equal. Some can set off a red flag that makes it tough to get approved for housing assistance, with methamphetamine trafficking and sex offenses being the worst of the bunch.
Some say that those two offenses make it impossible to get Section 8 for life. If either applies to you, contact your PHA to make sure. It never hurts to ask, and they could point you in the direction of other housing assistance if Section 8 is not an option.
Other felonies that could set off red flags include ones for violent crimes, fraud, and drug trafficking. Even though the following aren’t felonies, a pattern of domestic disturbances, drug or alcohol abuse, and late rent payment history could hurt your chances of securing a voucher as well.
Besides the type of felony, the timeframe may also be considered. The more time has passed, the less damaging your felony will be when applying for Section 8.
2. Know there will be background checks.
Getting housing on your own is possible without any background checks that could bring up felonies. When applying for Section 8 assistance, however, background checks are part of the game.
Be prepared for background checks from your PHA and any prospective landlords. As such, don’t try to hide your past. If asked about it, stress the positive and how much you’ve changed from the experience.
3. Know the paperwork.
If it seems like your felony won’t prevent you from applying for a voucher, here are some types of documents you’ll need to produce:
- Birth certificate
- Bank statements
- Pay stubs
- Proof of citizenship
- Social Security number
- Proof of residence
- Tax forms
You will need documents for each person in the household.
4. Know about preferences.
Section 8 housing has a very high demand. In some locations, people wait several years to receive vouchers. Keeping this in mind, you should see if you have any preferences that can help you move past the line quickly, such as:
- Status as a local resident.
- Homelessness.
- Paying over 50 percent of income towards rent.
- Living in substandard housing.
- Being a domestic violence victim.
- Facing eviction when it’s not your fault.
5. Know where to apply.
Get to know your PHA now. They will help you apply for Section 8 and decide whether or not you become a beneficiary of the low-income housing assistance program.
Ask your PHA about wait times. Tell them your situation and any felonies in your past. The more they know and the more you ask, the smoother the process will be.
Section 8 Assist
