How to Qualify and Apply for Wisconsin Section 8

Application Instructions for Wisconsin Section 8

Step 1

The Wisconsin Association of Housing Authorities is responsible for providing low-income assistance for households through the Wisconsin Section 8 programs. These are funded federally by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Locally these Section 8 programs are managed by public housing authorities (PHA) that accept applicants and manage waitlists for services. In Wisconsin residents can apply for services via the following programs:

The Housing Choice Voucher program
Project-based housing program

If you already have a place to live, but are struggling to afford rent for your household, then you may be eligible for the Housing Choice Voucher program. This service provides households with a rent subsidy to ensure you aren’t paying over 30 percent of your income on rent. Under the HCV program you can move to another apartment, single-family house, condo, townhome, etc. as long as your landlord is approved under the Section 8 program to receive the subsidy. The home must also pass inspection according to HUD guidelines for safe and sanitary housing. If you move to another city or area in Wisconsin your HCV is portable.

The project-based housing program provides individuals and families that cannot find affordable housing with a safe, low-income housing unit. You are given a predetermined rental rate that will ensure you are not exceeding 30 percent of your monthly income on rent. Unlike the HCV program you cannot choose your housing unit, and you cannot transfer the assistance to another city or area. However, for households involuntarily displaced, or individuals who are elderly, disabled, or a veteran, this is an ideal program for finding a place to call home.

Each of these programs require you to apply for Wisconsin Section 8 to receive services. In order to ensure you have the optimal chances of getting approved for services, make sure you qualify first.

Who can Qualify for Section 8?

Qualify for Wisconsin Section 8 by meeting certain low-income requirements. Check the statewide income limits for Wisconsin to see where your household size falls on the index. If you do not exceed the low-income limits then you qualify for the low-income portion of the application. However, you must also meet several guidelines determined by HUD:

Applicants for Section 8 must an adult over 18 when they apply.
Households must have legal residency status in the US, as well as be currently living in Wisconsin.
Households must be able to pass a criminal background check. Members of the household with previous criminal convictions involving sexual offenses or drugs will not be eligible.
Households must prove to have a positive rental history.

If you meet these qualifications for Wisconsin Section 8, then you are eligible to submit an application for services.

How to Apply

When you are ready to apply you must contact a public housing authority to find out where to get and submit your application. The PHA agent will also instruct you regarding the possible waitlists in your PHA area. If you do not have a waitlist currently open via your PHA you will need to contact a different public housing authority. Also, if you want to receive the Housing Choice Voucher program, or project-based housing, you must apply at a PHA that offers one of these programs. Keep in mind most PHAs offer both services, while some only provide either the HCV or project-based housing programs.

The application process involves providing documents to verify your household income and composition. You must provide everything requested in order to submit your application. If you cannot do so, you will not likely get approved for Wisconsin Section 8. Additionally, your household will be interviewed prior to your application approval. This is a standard procedure required by HUD guidelines.

Once you are approved for Section 8 you will be placed on a waitlist. Wisconsin has 13 waitlists for the Housing Choice Voucher program that are currently open to applicants. The public housing waitlists include 83 that are open now.

After you are selected from a waitlist for a HCV you will need to find affordable housing. You may also want to search for affordable housing to help you while you wait for your name to be chosen, as the process can take years.

Contact your HUD agent at the Milwaukee Field Office to learn more about the application process and to file any complaints with your PHA representative.