Application Instructions for Kentucky Section 8
Step 1
The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides low-income residents living in Kentucky with affordable and safe housing options. These services are managed at the local level through the Kentucky Housing Corporation, and include:
- Housing Choice Voucher program (HCV)
- Project-Based Contract Administration (PCBA)
The Housing Choice Voucher program includes two options for renters:
- Family Self-Sufficiency program
- Housing Choice Voucher to Homeownership program
Under the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program households are provided with skills to help them achieve homeownership. These include money management training, homeownership education, and employment skills. For participants who complete the FSS program they receive a savings account established by the Section 8 program. This money is then usable for a down payment on a house.
The Housing Choice Voucher to Homeownership program allows households to use their monthly rent subsidy to pay for a home loan. This involves finding a house that is acceptable according to health and safety standards, as well as according to HUD requirements. You are required to go through the process of getting a home loan. Once you have been accepted for a home loan, you can apply your HCV payments to cover your monthly mortgage expenses. Keep in mind the home you purchase must be in the service area of the public housing authority where you are receiving a HCV.
The Project-Based Contract Administration program is available for moderate-income to extremely-low income households. You are required to live in an apartment complex, also known as public housing. Your rent is subsidized by the Kentucky Section 8 program. If you move to a new property you will have to reapply for PBCA assistance.
Who can Qualify for Section 8?
To qualify for Kentucky Section 8, your household adjusted income limit must be considered at least low-income. The income limits for a low-income household range from $31,650 for a family of one to $59,650 for a family of eight. The adjusted income is based on how much money your household has remaining after paying for utilities and basic living expenses. The amount your household has left over to cover rent is your adjusted income. This is supplemented with Section 8 assistance so that you can afford housing.
Other qualifiers for Kentucky Section 8 include:
- Family composition, i.e. how many working, elderly, or disabled adults live in your household
- Your household’s residency status, i.e. must be full-time Kentucky resident and either a US citizen or permanent legal resident
- The criminal background of all adults in the household, i.e. drug or sexual offenses will likely disqualify your household for services
If your household is without housing involuntarily, or includes someone who is disabled or elderly, then you must receive priority according to HUD requirements.
How to Apply
The Kentucky Housing Corporation accepts applications for Section 8 services online, as well as by mail, fax, and in person. You will be required to fill out a pre-application that will place your name on a waitlist. This application requires you to complete basic details, your preference of where you want to live, and the waitlist you wish to be added to. To submit a pre-application for Section 8 services in your area contact the Kentucky public housing authority in the area where you want to live.
To determine the waitlist to apply to, check out this list of the 15 Housing Choice Voucher program waitlists and the 80 public housing waitlists now open to applicants.
After your name is selected from a waitlist you will be provided with further instructions on applying in greater detail. If you are chosen to receive housing through the Housing Choice Voucher or PCBA programs, you will receive information on how to proceed to the next phase of the process. With the HCV program, you have the option of participating in the Family Self-Sufficiency or Housing Choice Voucher to Homeownership program. For the PCBA program you will be given an address of your new home.
For more information on how to apply for Kentucky Section 8 services contact the Louisville Field Office of HUD or your local PHA office.