Section 8 is a nationwide government program that was enacted to provide housing assistance to struggling families and individuals. Low income housing in Delaware is offered to residents in the form of the Section 8 housing program, administered by two governmental agencies. On the federal level, the HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) sets forth qualification guidelines and provides subsidies for each state to administer to needy families and individuals as deemed necessary. On the local level, six housing authority agencies work within all three counties to provide low income house rentals to those Delaware families in need. It is the housing authority agencies that operate and manage the HUD subsidies, distributing them as they see fit.
The DE Section 8 program utilizes housing vouchers, which are presented to participating and qualifying landlords. In the state of Delaware, Wilmington has the largest housing authority and manages over 3,000 rental units. Housing vouchers are distributed by the housing authority through to different Section 8 housing sub-programs: tenant-based and project-based . Section 8 tenant-based programs tie the housing vouchers to the participating individual or family, whereas Section 8 project-based programs tie the funding to the actual rental unit itself. While project-based Section 8 housing programs require less money out of pocket, in general the competition for these housing units is greater, and the vouchers are non-transferable. This means that if a participant in a project-based program wants to move, they can do so but the benefits will not transfer. Tenant-based Section 8 housing programs transfer the benefits with the individual, and low income house rentals or apartments are selected from the qualifying private sector. Section 8 housing vouchers only cover a portion of the actual rental fees, therefore the Section 8 recipient is responsible for the difference (usually 30 percent of their income).
When a Section 8 qualified renter locates a low income house rental in which they are interested, the HUD and local housing authority work directly with the landlord to provide funding for the unit. In order to qualify for Section 8 housing in Delaware, a family must provide proof that it makes considerably less than those earning an average salary in their area. Families making 30 to 50 percent less than those around them will qualify based on income. However, Section 8 eligibility is not based solely on income. Other factors that are considered with low income housing eligibility in DE are issues of citizenship, financial defaults or repayment plans, criminal history, and background reports.
DE Section 8 applicants who are unfamiliar with the housing assistance program may be surprised to know that the Section 8 application requires information from not only the applicant, but all household members. A criminal record does not prohibit someone from filing for Section 8 housing benefits, unless the crime was of a violent nature or was recently committed. Applicants listed on the sexual offender database are ineligible to apply, as well as those convicted of distributing illegal substances.
Learn the Requirements for Section 8 in Delaware
Section 8 eligibility is managed on the federal level by HUD, and administered on the local level by six Delaware housing authority agencies located throughout the state. The guidelines established for Section 8 eligibility on the federal level are typically adjusted to include additional criteria on the state and local levels. So what are the qualifications for low income housing in Delaware? Individuals or families making only half of what others are making in their county or area are likely to qualify, as long as they also meet the other requirements. Thus, Section 8 eligibility can vary from one county to the next in Delaware, because the median salary range may differ from one place to another. To determine, “Do I qualify for Section 8 housing?” – a complete listing of median salary ranges is available online.
Learn How to Apply for Section 8 Housing in Delaware
Delaware residents who wish to register for Section 8 housing programs can accomplish this in a number of ways. Explaining how to apply for Section 8 housing to interested parties is the responsibility of the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA). Individuals can apply via the HUD Section 8 application, which can be found at any local housing authority office. The online application for low income housing is another option for applicants who prefer to apply online through the DSHA’s website. To register for Section 8 housing programs in Delaware, no application fee is required. Applicants are urged to be cautious about working with anyone requesting or requiring an application fee. Agents who mention a fee when explaining how to sign up for Section 8 should be reported to the area’s housing authority.
Learn About Section 8 Waiting Lists in Delaware
Eligible Section 8 applicants might wonder, “When will the Section 8 waiting lists open in Delaware?” It is important for new and interested applicants to understand that they can apply for the low income housing waiting list only when the waiting lists are open. Housing authority agencies throughout the state of Delaware maintain their own Section 8 housing program application waiting lists. Therefore, each housing authority closes or opens its waiting list at its own convenience, based on rental vacancy. The four main Delaware housing authority agencies that handle waiting lists are Wilmington Housing Authority, Dover Housing Authority, Newark Housing Authority and Delaware State Housing Authority. These authorities work together with other smaller agencies that are located all over the state. The Section 8 housing waiting list 2017 fluctuates between open and closed without much warning, as there is no way to anticipate when vacancies will arise. However, it is important to check waiting list status for Section 8 often because the lists are routinely updated.
Learn About Section 8 Denial in Delaware
Section 8 denial letters in Delaware are sent to beneficiaries whose housing benefits have been terminated or who have been determined as ineligible. Applicants may wonder, “What are the reasons for Section 8 denial?” if they have been rejected. A list of Section 8 housing disqualifications, available online and at the local housing authority office, can often provide the answer to this question. Applicants who believe they received a Section 8 denial letter in error can file a Section 8 denial appeal, and will be given 20 days in which to make their case for remaining in the program. More information about how to appeal Section 8 denial is also provided online and at local housing authorities.