Section 8 listings in Connecticut are useful tools for finding an affordable home to rent. As a general rule, when you start receiving housing choice vouchers from a public housing agency (PHA), it is your responsibility to find a suitable rental. As such, your local PHA may or may not give you a Section 8 housing list to aid your search.

When looking for low income apartments for rent in CT, it is important to keep in mind that not all landlords will accept a Section 8 voucher. Even if a PHA provides you with an approved Section 8 housing list, you still need to ensure that the unit you choose is rented by a willing landlord. Read below to learn more about finding an apartment and discover which requirements your home will need to meet before you can move in.

What is an approved Section 8 housing list in Connecticut?

Finding apartments for rent that accept Section 8 can be challenging. However, many PHAs will provide you with tools to help you find a rental.

The type of resources you receive may vary from one PHA to the next due to the fact that each housing agency is a separate organization. Overall, local PHAs may provide you with any of the following:

• Links to apartment for rent apps endorsed by your local PHA.
• An informational packet with potential listings.
• A webpage with current apartment vacancies for participants.

Not all PHAs have the resources to maintain their own active listings. In such cases, you may simply receive a list of landlords who regularly lease units to Section 8 participants. If so, you will need to contact the landlords directly to learn about current vacancies.

If your housing authority does not provide you with official Section 8 rental listings, you can utilize other resources, such as those provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD homes for rent listings can include a variety of properties, such as single-family homes, townhomes, duplexes and regular apartment units.

When looking for Section 8 approved housing for rent, it is important to be aware that some of your search results may include units in public housing projects. Most beneficiaries who rent one of these units have received a project-based voucher. Such vouchers only allow participants to receive a rental subsidy in a housing project.

As the recipient of a Section 8 voucher, you are free to rent any acceptable unit on the open market. If you wish, you may be eligible to use your voucher in a public housing project. However, you are not required to do so.

Other Ways to Find Section 8 Listings in Connecticut

If you do not receive a list of low income apartments for rent from your PHA, there are various other ways to find an affordable rental home. Remember, there are many homes for rent that accept Section 8 in the open market. Essentially, this means that you can use any real estate search engine to find a place to rent.

Some apartment for rent apps are designed just for Section 8 properties. For example, GoSection8 active listings tend to only include units that accept these HUD vouchers. However, keep in mind that a unit may not be guaranteed to accept Section 8 payments, even if you find it on a website that is designed for low-income rentals.

When searching, you may consider using different search terms, such as “income-restricted,” to locate units that may accept a voucher. In order to avoid missing out on any rental opportunities, you may ask a landlord if he or she is willing to work under the Section 8 program.

Keep in mind that landlords may advertise available units through a variety of methods. Therefore, you may be able to find Section 8 rental listings by checking the following places:

• Newspaper advertisements
• Online classifieds
• Real estate offices
• Bulletin boards around the community
• For-rent signs in the neighborhood

Note: You may be able to use your voucher where you currently live. If you do not wish to move, consider asking your landlord if he or she will accept Section 8.

Quality Standards for Section 8 Approved Housing in Connecticut

Once you have browsed through Section 8 rental listings in Connecticut, you will need to ensure that the unit you choose will meet your PHA’s requirements. Housing authorities will perform an inspection to ensure that your rental is safe and sanitary. The PHA will check to make sure the unit is:

• Large enough to accommodate your family.
• Free from major damage and pest issues.
• Rented at a fair rate.
• Leased out by a landlord who is willing to work within the Section 8 program.

The housing authority will need to perform the inspection before you are allowed to move in or sign a lease. If you choose to stay in your current home, keep in mind that the PHA will still need to inspect the unit to make sure it meets the standards. Learn more about the requirements an apartment must meet by reading our Section 8 guide here.

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

When sorting through Section 8 listings in Connecticut, it is always in your best interest to be prepared. The rental market can be competitive, particularly when it comes to affordable housing units.

Because certain eligible units are not income-restricted, you may be competing with a wider range of applicants when trying to rent those homes. Thus, you should always have your lease application materials ready, so you do not miss out on an opportunity.

It is important that you start looking for apartments for rent that accept Section 8 as soon as you are approved for a voucher. This is because Section 8 vouchers have an expiration date.

By law, PHAs need to give you at least 60 days in order to secure a rental. If your PHA allows it, you might be granted more time. Otherwise, in the event that you are unable to use your voucher before it expires, you risk losing your rental assistance.