Application Instructions for Maryland Section 8
Step 1
The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provide Section 8 low-income housing services. Residents of Maryland can apply for assistance via the following programs:
- The Housing Choice Voucher program
- Project-Based Contract Administration Program (PBCA)
The Housing Choice Voucher program provides Maryland households including individuals and families with affordable and safe housing. To be eligible for this program your income must meet low income limits. Once approved for the housing choice voucher program you will be given the choice of your housing. It is up to you to find accommodations that meet the requirements set forth by HUD and the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. Additionally, the landlord that you choose to rent from must also be in active participant in the Maryland Section 8 program.
The Project-Based Contract Administration Program grants households in need of public housing with secure and sanitary apartment units. As a resident of a project based apartment you will receive housing assistant payments in the form of vouchers paid directly to your landlord. This allows you to reduce the amount you must pay each month for your rent. Generally public housing is offered at a pre-determined rate. This rate will ensure that you do not pay more than 30 percent of your adjusted gross income each month for housing as required by HUD.
In order to apply for the Housing Choice Voucher or Project-Based Contract Administration programs you first need to qualify for Maryland Section 8 services.
Who can Qualify for Section 8?
In order to receive Section 8 benefits in Maryland, your household must meet certain qualifications. A household can include a single person or a related family, such as a family with extended family. The main factor in determining if you can receive housing assistance through Maryland Section 8 is your income:
- Your household income cannot exceed the low-income limit for Maryland.
- A household of one cannot earn more than $47,600 annually.
- The low-income limit for a family of four is $68,000, while the limit for a family of eight is $89,750.
Use the low-income limits summary to determine if your household qualifies. Everyone in your household who is over 18 and able to work, i.e. is not elderly or disabled, will be included in the income limit.
Other factors that qualify your household for Maryland Section 8 include:
- Your residency status, i.e. you must be a full-time Maryland resident, as well as a US citizen or permanent naturalized resident.
- You must be able to pass a criminal background check, i.e. you do not have drug offenses or convictions of sex crimes on your record.
- Every adult in your household must be able to pass the requirements.
- You will need to provide proof of income, finances/banking information, and references.
- Your current, and previous if applicable, landlord will be contacted for a character and rental reference.
Additionally, you must be 18 years old to apply for Section 8 assistance. If you are not 18, then someone in your household who is of age must apply for the services.
You must receive priority housing if you meet any of the following:
- You have been involuntary displaced from your previous residence.
- You are homeless.
- Someone in your household is elderly.
- Someone in your household is disabled.
This is a HUD requirement of the program.
How to Apply
Pre-apply for Maryland Section 8 to be placed on a waitlist. There are waitlists available for both the Housing Choice Voucher program and the PBCA
To get started with your application for main section 8 programs you will need to contact your local public housing authority. Maine has:
These are now open. Choose the public housing authority wait list that serves your area and apply to that waitlist. When your name comes up on the waitlist you will be provided with a thorough application process for section 8 services. This will include the criminal background check and detailed financial history. You will be required to provide documentation to prove your finances and household composition. You may also be required to complete an interview by your public housing authority representative.
Once you are approved for Maine Section 8 services you will receive instructions on how to proceed. If you are chosen for the Housing Choice Voucher program you will be responsible for finding affordable housing.
To find out more about waitlist or the programs offered through main section 8 contact your local public housing authority or the Bangor Field Office for your state HUD representative.