What is a Section 8 housing list in Missouri? Generally, it is a list of homes that are available in different counties for low-income families. Many of these listings have moved to online websites, where users can search for homes based on location, number of rooms and more. However, a few Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) in the state still offer hard copies of these lists.

You may also search for Section 8 listings on the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) website and through third-party sources. It may be useful to use more than one resource, because the same listings are not always posted on every website.

While most listings you will encounter are apartments, you do not necessarily have to live in an apartment. Overall, your Section 8 benefits may be used for other types of housing, such as a townhome, condo or house.

What is an approved Section 8 housing list in Missouri?

When looking for low income apartments for rent in Missouri, your PHA will likely recommend a few resources. These approved listings will help you find legitimate housing in your county or neighborhood.

For instance, the Economic Security Corporation of MO offers a list of housing rental options for four counties: Barton, Jasper, McDonald and Newton. Apartment buildings are in order by county and also have an address and a phone number.

As such, you must contact the building directly for more information on the types of units available. From this list, you will also be able to tell whether units in these buildings are handicap accessible.

While you may want to use modern apartment for rent apps, searching for homes through authorized sources will help you find units that are already approved for Section 8. In other words, these homes will most likely meet health and safety standards. If they are apartments, the landlords are likely to already have approval from the HCV program.

You may also use online tools provided by the HUD department, such as the resource locator and the apartment search tool. The resource locator will help you find PHAs and other housing organizations that are in your county.

Moreover, these tools will give you an estimate of the number of low-income units in your area. Unfortunately, it may be hard to discern whether these homes are available or taken.

The apartment search tool can help you find low income apartments for rent in MO as well. You may use it to find homes that are vacant in your county. You can also use it to get contact information for different listings and apartment buildings. Both tools provided by HUD are free and available to the public.

Some PHAs, such as the Housing Authority of Kansas City, Missouri (HAKC) direct their voucher recipients to use GoSection8, a third-party vendor. GoSection8 is one of the largest rental services for recipients across the country. Not only does it help families find affordable homes in the area, it also helps landlords connect with these families.

In addition, the platform is free to use and offers information on the market in every state. If you want to use the site, you can start by searching for homes based on:

• The number of bedrooms and bathrooms.
• Preferred location.
• Rental price.

If you want to use approved Section 8 housing lists but you need help, make sure to contact your local PHA. A caseworker may connect you with a free sign language interpreter or another form of help if necessary.

Finally, you can also get in touch with a Housing Counseling Agency (HCA) for more assistance. Through the HCA, you will be paired with a professional housing counselor who can give you advice. To learn more about approved housing-list resources, download our trustworthy guide.

Other Ways to Find Section 8 Listings in Missouri

If you want to use other methods to find Section 8 approved housing for rent, you may consider a variety of websites that serve as search engines for real estate. Certain websites allow you to search for available homes based on location, type of home and more.

Overall, these sites may offer information on Section 8 waitlists and the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program. For instance, they may tell you how many waitlists are currently open in your state and whether any are about to close.

If you want to be updated on new listings frequently, you can sign up for email alerts. Such emails will notify you when new housing becomes available in your area.

Additionally, you may find Section 8 approved housing on more general online listings. However, you will have to weed through many listings that will not accept vouchers.

This is because traditional housing-search websites do not require landlords, agents and other listers to specify whether they accept housing choice vouchers. However, you may still find these websites helpful if you want to gain an idea of how much other families are spending on rentals in the area.

Quality Standards for Section 8 Approved Housing in Missouri

As you look for homes for rent that accept Section 8 in MO, you must keep the HCV program’s health and safety criteria in mind. You will not be allowed to move into a home that does not meet program standards.

Every home approved by a PHA must have certain utilities that are in working condition and suitable for a family. For instance, housing units must have:

• Hot and cold running water.
• A stove or a cooking range. A microwave will not be accepted as a substitute.
• A refrigerator that is large enough to suit the size of the family.
• A separate bathroom with a toilet, sink and shower or tub.

Additionally, homes and apartments for rent that accept Section 8 vouchers must pass a number of health tests. For example, the unit must not have mold or an infestation of pests.

Tips to Help You Find Low Income Apartments for Rent in Missouri

As you browse through Section 8 rental listings, remember to look out for scams. Unfortunately, some fake postings may get through a listing site’s security measures. As a result, you must use certain safety precautions.

This includes never giving out banking information or your Social Security Number (SSN) over the phone. You must only provide this information if you are sure the landlord or agent with whom you are working is legitimate.

You can check GoSection8 active listings and other listings for legitimacy by first obtaining the name of the landlord or owner. Then, you can get in touch with your county property appraiser or assessor office and ask an employee to tell you about the property owner.