Are Section 8 And Public Housing The Same Thing?

We’ll break it down and show you how these programs can make your rent a lot more affordable.

If you could reduce one expense in your monthly budget, what would it be? If you’re like most, you’d probably start at the top with the most costly expense, which is rent.

Unfortunately, you can’t eliminate the cost of rent since, beyond food, it’s the most essential need. You certainly can reduce your rent, though, and the best way to do so is via the government.

Section 8 and public housing are two popular government methods for making rent affordable. And while you may think they’re the same thing, we’ll dissect how they differ.

Section 8 vs. Public Housing: The Similarities

Whether you choose a Section 8 housing voucher or public housing to reduce your rent costs, you’ll be dealing with a local Public Housing Agency or PHA. They’re who you’ll turn to for information on the application process, and they’ll also help determine your eligibility for either program.

Speaking of eligibility, here are the basics you’ll need to qualify for either Section 8 or public housing:

• You’ll need to be either a U.S. citizen or an eligible non-citizen.
• You’ll need to apply as a low-income family, a person with a disability, or as a senior citizen.
• Your income will have to fall within the program limits.

Not only are the eligibility requirements the same for Section 8 and public housing, but so is the application process. To apply for either, here’s what you’ll have to do:

Get in touch with your PHA. You can do so by going here. Fill out an application detailing your family composition, income, bank info, etc.
Provide documents such as birth certificates, IDs, tax returns, etc., during your appointment with the PHA.

Section 8 vs. Public Housing: The Differences

While Section 8 housing vouchers and public housing have similar eligibility requirements and application processes, let’s now discuss how they differ.

For starters, Section 8 allows you to use its housing voucher to rent a property you find. This can be an apartment, townhome, or single-family home. On the other hand, public housing still offers the options of an apartment, townhome, or single-family home, only your landlord will be the PHA instead of a private owner.

The fact that Section 8 has you find the housing may be more attractive if you want a bigger say in picking your next place. With public housing, you may have a bit less control over the situation.

An Alternative to Section 8 and Public Housing

If you find that Section 8 and public housing aren’t really the right fit, you have another way to find affordable rent, and that’s through privately-owned subsidized housing.

In this setup, you’ll have to find the property and apply through their rental office. The rent will be affordable since the government pays the property owner, which results in a lower monthly payment for the tenant.

You can find privately-owned subsidized housing and other affordable rental options by using the HUD Resource Locator.