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Section 8 eligibility in New Mexico is governed both by the federal and state governments. Each Section 8 eligibility requirements are further delineated by each county in the state. With so many strictures, most new applicants wonder, “Do I qualify for section 8 housing in New Mexico? and they also wonder how to go about applying. The base Section 8 eligibility guidelines are the same for both the federal and the state, but the income numbers might be adjusted depending on the county.

What are the requirements for Section 8 housing in New Mexico?

After hearing about the Section 8 program, most potential applicants will ask “What are the requirements for Section 8 housing in New Mexico. In general, the federal and state government determine Section 8 eligibility in two key areas. The first is the size of the household and the second is the total income of the household. HUD agents will look at this information and compare it to the median income of the neighborhood where the Section 8 eligibility applicant is trying to find housing. The Section 8 eligibility median income is considered the average income level of the other households within the neighborhood in comparison to the Section 8 eligibility applicant.

In additional to the financial requirements, the NM Section 8 eligibility guidelines require that applicants do not have a criminal background. This extends to any members in the household as well. In addition, the Section 8 eligibility applicant must be able to prove that they are a legal United States citizen. This part of the Section 8 eligibility guidelines does not apply to the rest of the members in the applicant’s household.

Who meets the requirements for Section 8 housing in New Mexico?

Section 8 eligibility applicants that make at least 50 percent below the median income of the neighborhood will meet the Section 8 eligibility guidelines for New Mexico. A few neighborhoods will have slightly different requirements. Looking up the median income is the most involved process in applying for Section 8 housing. Section 8 eligibility applicants can find most of the information available online, but it is also possible to request more direct assistance from a HUD agent.

What do I need to apply for Section 8 housing in New Mexico?

“What do I need to apply for Section 8 housing in New Mexico?” is another common question that newcomers to the program have. Section 8 applicants will have to present a couple of pieces of documentation to prove that they meet all of the Section 8 eligibility requirements. The first thing that NM Section 8 eligibility applicants will have to do is present proof of identification for themselves and any members in the household. A passport, driver’s license or birth certificate will meet this requirement.

Section 8 eligibility applicants will have to present information about their finances when they are proving they meet the Section 8 eligibility requirements. Applicants can utilize any of the following documents for income verification:

  • Pay stubs
  • Bank statements
  • Tax returns
  • Federal aid paperwork (TANF, SNAP)
  • Disability paperwork
  • Military paperwork

Only certain neighborhoods will accept Section 8 eligibility online applications. Applicants can still print out a Section 8 eligibility application that can be turned in to a local HUD office. Applicants that want help from a HUD agent can visit an office and request help from an agent. Most Section 8 eligibility applications that are denied list as the main reason incomplete applications, so it is advised to gain help if any portion of the Section 8 eligibility application is confusing.

If a Section 8 eligibility applicant is accepted, they will be put onto a waiting list for that county. The waiting list time varies from county to county, depending on how many other applicants are in the program. Usually the Section 8 eligibility waiting list time lasts at least several months, but sometimes it can take a few years to finally start receiving housing vouchers. As far as Section 8 eligibility applications are concerned, many find that the tenant based plans have quicker response rates than the project based plans. Lastly, those who find that their Section 8 eligibility is doubtful on the federal level, may find that they still qualify on the local level.