Learn About Section 8 Housing in Wyoming
Section 8 in Wyoming is a government program that allows you to receive help paying for rent. If you are having trouble finding low income housing that fits your needs, applying for this program may be a solution. Once you qualify as a beneficiary, you will receive vouchers that reduce the rent amount you are responsible for every month. Note that Section 8 housing is only available to families and individuals who meet certain criteria.
When asking “What is Section 8?” it helps to understand that this program is federally funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). However, the program is administered at the local level by Public Housing Agencies (PHAs). Therefore, you must apply for assistance through the PHA that serves your community. Below, learn more about the application process and discover how your family can qualify for assistance.
Discover Wyoming Section 8 Requirements
Your Section 8 eligibility is determined by looking at factors such as your income, family status and legal presence in the U.S. In general, you can only meet the Section 8 requirements if your family’s income is below 50 percent of the median family income in your city or county. Overall, the Section 8 income limits vary based on your family size and where you live.
While you may have Section 8 housing eligibility with a higher income, it is important to note that PHAs are required to give the majority of their vouchers to families with an extremely low income. This includes households with an income of less than 30 percent of the median income for the area. PHAs assist extremely low-income families first because they are in greater need of finding affordable housing.
To meet the Section 8 qualifications, you also need to be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or a lawfully-present non-citizen. Your family may still have Section 8 housing eligibility if there is a mix of legal and non-legal residents in your household. In these situations, a PHA will prorate the amount of your assistance to only cover the family members who are in the U.S. legally.
Finally, your household needs to meet HUD’s definition of a “family” in order to qualify for assistance. Generally speaking, a family can be composed of two or more people, with or without children, who live together. If you are a single person, you may also count as a family on your own if you:
- Are considered a senior.
- Have a disability.
- Have been displaced from your home due to a natural disaster or government action.
- Are the remaining member of a family that receives assistance from this program.
How to Apply for Section 8 Housing in Wyoming
You must apply for Section 8 in Wyoming by contacting the PHA that serves an area where you want to live. You can generally apply though any PHA, but keep in mind that the voucher you receive must initially be used within the area served by that organization. You have the option of moving outside the service area once you have received assistance for a certain amount of time. This is an aspect of the program known as portability.
In many cases, your initial Section 8 application is used to determine if you are eligible to be placed on a PHA’s waiting list. After your name reaches the top of the waiting list, you will commonly need to fill out a full application that includes more detail. Many PHAs allow you to complete an initial Section 8 application online, whereas full applications may need to be submitted through the mail or in person.
There is not a standard Section 8 housing application to fill out due to the fact that each PHA is run independently. Learn more applying for Section 8 here.
While the applications differ from one organization to the next, you should expect to provide the following:
- Your name, Social Security Number (SSN) and date of birth.
- Personal details of any family members who will live in your household.
- Your contact information and address.
- Details on your income and assets.
PHAs will need to verify some of the information on your application by seeing documents such as tax returns, birth certificates and Social Security cards. The exact documents you need may vary depending on where you apply.
Understanding Section 8 Waiting Lists in Wyoming
Many PHAs utilize a Section 8 waiting list due to the fact that there are usually more applicants than there are vouchers available. Once you are placed on a waiting list, it is your responsibility to keep all of your information up-to-date and to pay attention to any factors that may affect your eligibility. A change in income or family status, for example, may make you ineligible for Section 8 once your name reaches the top of the list.
Keep in mind that PHAs usually contact families by mail when a voucher becomes available. If you fail to keep your contact information up-to-date, you may miss receiving a notification and be removed from the waitlist altogether. Unfortunately, you must go through the process of applying again if your name is removed.
Your Section 8 waiting list status will change as other families leave the program or are removed from the waiting list. Be aware that wait times vary depending on the demand for vouchers in your area. In some places, the wait time may be months or even years.
Learn About Wyoming Section 8 Housing Lists
You may use a Section 8 housing list in Wyoming to help you look for an apartment or home to rent once you are approved for a voucher. However, you do not necessarily need to use Section 8 listings when finding a place.
Under this program, you usually have the freedom to choose any rental unit that meets your PHA’s standards. However, certain types of vouchers may need to be used for a specific type of rental unit if required by your PHA.
When looking for low income apartments for rent, you may notice that not all landlords accept vouchers from this program. If you are having trouble finding a place for this reason, using an approved Section 8 housing list from your PHA may help you find a unit.