12 common Section 8 myths, debunked
Section 8 is one of the most misunderstood programs in the country, and many people don’t apply because of bad information they got from a friend, an old article, or a frustrated landlord. Here are the 12 myths we hear most often, and what the rules actually say.
Myth 1: You have to be unemployed to qualify
False. Section 8 is income-tested, not employment-tested. Plenty of working families qualify. In many PHAs, working households actually receive a preference that moves them up the list faster.
Myth 2: The voucher pays your entire rent
False. You pay roughly 30–40% of your monthly adjusted income toward rent and utilities. The voucher pays the rest, up to a local payment standard.
Myth 3: You can’t move once you’re on Section 8
False. You can move within your PHA’s jurisdiction at any time after the first lease year, and after that first year, you can use portability to take your voucher anywhere in the country with a participating PHA.
Myth 4: It’s a 10-year wait everywhere
False. Waitlist times vary enormously by PHA. Some are continuously open with waits of less than a year. Others stretch to a decade. Applying to multiple PHAs in your region is the single best way to shorten your real wait.
Myth 5: Landlords can refuse vouchers anywhere
Increasingly false. A growing number of states and cities ban source-of-income discrimination, meaning a landlord cannot refuse you solely because you have a voucher. As of this writing, the protection covers tens of millions of renters in states including California, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, and Maine, plus dozens of major cities.
Myth 6: You can never own a home if you have Section 8
False. The HCV Homeownership Program lets eligible voucher holders apply their subsidy to a mortgage instead of rent. About 10% of PHAs offer it. See our homeownership guide for details.
Myth 7: You can only apply to your home county
False. You can apply to any PHA that allows non-residents to apply (most do). Applying to several PHAs is allowed and recommended. The PHA you apply to may give a residency preference to local applicants, but non-residents are still eligible.
Myth 8: A criminal record automatically disqualifies you
Mostly false. Two things are automatic disqualifiers: lifetime sex offender registration, and conviction for manufacturing methamphetamine on federally assisted property. Everything else is reviewed under the PHA’s admissions policy, with consideration of the offense, time elapsed, and evidence of rehabilitation. Many people with prior records do qualify.
Myth 9: Vouchers are only for families with kids
False. Single adults, elderly individuals, and households without children all qualify if they meet the income limits. Some preferences (working family, residency, veteran) are independent of family composition.
Myth 10: If you make more money, your subsidy disappears overnight
False. The subsidy phases down as your income rises, and your share of rent rises proportionally. You graduate from the program only when you reach the point where you no longer need any subsidy — at which time you simply stop receiving it. There is no cliff.
Myth 11: Section 8 properties are run-down
Misleading. “Section 8” refers to the voucher, not the building. Vouchers are used in millions of regular private rentals across the country, including high-end ones in some markets. The unit just has to pass HUD’s Housing Quality Standards inspection.
Myth 12: There’s no point in applying because the program is broken
False. Section 8 helps over 2.3 million households at any given time, and the program reaches far more people in a year than its critics realize. The system is underfunded relative to demand, but the worst outcome of applying is staying exactly where you are. Apply.
Where to start if you’re convinced now
Use our state directory to find every PHA in your state, then read our step-by-step application guide.