Section 8 Housing in Fresno
To qualify for Section 8 housing in Fresno, you will need to earn less than 80% of the median income and are most likely to qualify if you earn less than 50%.
Written by David Ghanizadeh-Khoob
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Section 8 applications in Fresno divide applicants into three income levels: low income, very low income, and extremely low income. Applicants in all categories qualify, but lower-income applicants are more likely to receive government assistance sooner.
Section 8 is a program that was designed in 1974 to help low-income families afford the rent by having a portion subsidized by the government. Unfortunately, qualifying for Section 8 does not guarantee you will receive a voucher, and even if you qualify you might have to wait years before receiving assistance.
The process of receiving Section 8 funding in
California
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What is Section 8 housing?
Section 8, now known as the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program, is a federal housing program that assists low-income families with rent payments. The program offers vouchers that reduce the applicant's rent down to a portion of their income, with the government covering the rest (up to a limit). Section 8 vouchers are also available to elderly and disabled people.
Voucher limits under Section 8 will depend on tenants’ income and the “payment standard” for their area. The payment standard is based on the market in the area and is a set value that represents the cost of renting a moderately priced home.
The voucher limit will usually cover the payment standard minus 30% of the tenant's monthly income, or the monthly rent minus 30% of the tenant's income. In any case, tenants usually pay 30% of their income to rent and utilities, though this amount can be a bit higher.
Here’s a summary of how Section 8 works:
- Eligible applicants apply for housing choice vouchers or project-based vouchers through their local housing authority
- Housing choice vouchers allow tenants to live in any rental unit that meets the voucher’s requirements
- Project-based vouchers allow landlords to designate certain units of their property as low-income dwellings
- Vouchers are assigned based on family size and composition
- Tenants that receive a housing choice voucher cannot be required to pay more than 40% of their income in rent
Section 8 obligations
Tenants, landlords, and local housing authorities all carry obligations under Section 8.
Tenant | Landlord | Housing authority |
|---|---|---|
Accurately complete the application with proper documentation | Screen tenants | Determine eligibility and issue vouchers |
Find housing that qualifies and complete all required paperwork before the voucher expires | Comply with fair housing laws | Approves units and rental agreements |
Pay rent on time | Ensure the unit remains in good condition | Conduct annual inspections of subsidized units |
Notify the housing authority of any relevant changes | Notify the housing authority of any notices to the tenant, including eviction notices | Ensure all parties comply with the program rules |
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What are the requirements for Section 8 housing in Fresno?
Fresno Housing
administers the HCV program under the guidance of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The main factors that determine eligibility are household income, family size and composition, and citizenship. You must be at least 18 years old to apply and be a US citizen or documented immigrant. If you have had any serious evictions in the past (for example, major lease violations, or evictions from drug use or drug dealing), or if you are a listed sex offender, then your application will be rejected.
To qualify for Section 8 housing in California, criteria are separated into three categories: low income, very low income, and extremely low income.
- To qualify as low income, you cannot earn more than 80% of the median family income.
- To qualify as very low income, you can’t earn more than 50%.
- To qualify as extremely low income, the limit is 30% of the median family income.
The median family income in Fresno was $62,800 in 2021. This median income is adjusted based on family size.
The HUD includes the following in income calculations:
- Wages
- Business income
- Interest
- Welfare assistance
- Social security benefits
- Alimony and child support
Family size | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Low income (80%) limits | $39,050 | $44,600 | $50,200 | $55,750 | $60,250 | $64,700 | $69,150 | $73,600 | $78,050 | $82,550 | $87,000 | $91,450 | $95,900 | $100,350 |
Very low income (50%) limits | $24,400 | $27,900 | $31,400 | $34,850 | $37,650 | $40,450 | $43,250 | $46,050 | $48,800 | $51,600 | $54,400 | $57,200 | $59,950 | $62,750 |
Extremely low income (30%) limits | $14,650 | $17,420 | $21,960 | $26,500 | $31,040 | $35,580 | $40,120 | $44,660 | $48,800 | $51,600 | $54,400 | $57,200 | $59,950 | $62,750 |
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How to apply for Section 8 housing in Fresno
Step one is to fill out an online application through Fresno Housing’s
online portal
and to apply for their interest list. Applications are reviewed and your application will remain on the interest list until vouchers become available, and if your application is selected it will be moved to the waitlist and you will be notified. Selection for the waitlist is based on eligibility, applicant circumstances, and a lottery draw system.
Unfortunately, applications can live on the waitlist for years. The waitlist is usually closed and tends to fill quickly when it does open.
Once your application is selected from the waitlist, you will be notified and requested to meet with the public housing authority for an interview to confirm you are still eligible. If you are, you will receive a voucher and have 90 days to find housing.
How to find Section 8 housing in Fresno
Once you receive the voucher, you have until the voucher expires to find eligible housing.
Check out online resources such as
affordablehousing.com
, apartments.com
, and zillow.com
, and take a look at this map
from the HUD. Document everything during your housing search, including copies of housing applications and confirmation of any meetings you have with landlords. If you need to apply for an extension for your housing search, then your odds will improve with every bit of evidence you have that you have been searching diligently.
Once you’ve found a home with a landlord that is willing to accept the voucher, and that meets the Fresno Housing safety standards, send the lease agreement and your request for tenancy approval to Fresno Housing.
The apartment will need to be inspected to ensure it meets all of the requirements. If it does, you can sign the lease. The landlord will also make an agreement with Fresno Housing for the remaining funds.
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FAQs
What is the most I will have to pay under Section 8?
People who are approved for section 8 vouchers cannot pay more than 40% of their income on rent. Typically people pay around 30% of their income.
How much is a 2 bedroom Section 8 voucher in Fresno?
The maximum a 2-bedroom voucher in Fresno will pay is between $958 and $1170.
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