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“What are the qualifications for low income housing in Texas?” many first-time applicants ask when considering the Section 8 housing program. For those who may be wondering “Do I qualify for Section 8 housing in Texas?” there are several ways to tell if a petitioner meets Section 8 eligibility guidelines for the program in his or her TX county. Texas Section 8 eligibility is based in large part on an applicant’s answers to questions on the Section 8 application. Each section focuses on one main category. Those Section 8 eligibility categories include personal finances for the entire household, citizenship and residency rules and background checks.

What are the requirements for Section 8 in Texas?

Texas Section 8 eligibility rules must follow some federal guidelines, but the federal government also gives each individual Public Housing Agency (PHA) the discretion to amend some of the requirements and preferences to suit the needs of its region. In all Texas counties, however, the income requirements are essentially the same. TX Section 8 eligibility guidelines for income state that the candidate must earn less than the average salary for his or her particular county. Since the median salary may differ from one county to the next, the income qualifications and qualifying amount will also vary by county (as some counties are more affluent than others). If a petitioner is unsure of his or her Section 8 eligibility in TX because he or she is uncertain about the median income for the area, the applicant may contact the local PHA to ask for estimates or look online for the median salary range for their county.

Section 8 eligibility in Texas is also determined by the size of the family. If there are more household members in a family, the PHA will award a larger amount of money. However, this also means that a large family may have a longer wait to find low income housing that can accommodate them. Those households that have senior citizens, members with disabilities, veterans or very young children may receive special priority consideration.

What are the requirements for Section 8 in Texas aside from income and household size? The Section 8 applicant should be a resident of the county where they apply. This is not to state that the petitioner cannot apply in other counties, but that upon receiving Section 8 eligibility, the family should make plans to live in the actual county where it has been awarded eligibility. Residency rules extend to the applicant, requiring the primary applicant to be a U.S. citizen or qualifying legal immigrant.

What do I need to apply for Section 8 in Texas?

In Texas, Section 8 eligibility rules require applicants to submit certain documents along with the application. Lack of proper documentation is one of the largest causes of Section 8 denial. Candidates are advised to locate and have these Section 8 eligibility documents nearby, prior to filling out the application. The typical documents required include the following:

  • Lists of all current debts and assets
  • Pay stubs and tax returns
  • Social Security cards (for all family members)
  • Current transcripts, if any
  • Proof of residency
  • Birth certificates
  • Identification for all family members
  • Lists of government benefits

Proof of income can include pay stubs and tax returns, and residency can be established by using a utility bill. Transcripts are only required if the primary applicant is a full time student. Government benefits are required to be listed because they give the PHA a better idea of the family’s current resources.

Learn About Additional Section 8 Requirements in Texas

Those trying to qualify for Section 8 eligibility in TX may speak with a public housing agent in order to understand the process. Most first-time applicants have their Section 8 application denied the first few times simply because they filled the forms out incorrectly, did not include the right documents or left sections blank. If a Section 8 eligibility candidate has successfully submitted the application, he or she will receive a confirmation number in the mail a few weeks after submission. Those who have not filled out the Section 8 eligibility application correctly will also receive a letter, but this letter will detail the reasons why the application was denied. In most instances, the petitioner can correct the errors and resubmit the application.