My family includes citizens and/or permanent resident non-citizens. My family also includes non-citizens who are not Permanent Residents. Are we still eligible for Section 8/Low-Income Public Housing?

Yes. While the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations prohibit assistance to individual ineligible family members, mixed-eligibility households may receive assistance from either Section 8 or Low-Income Public Housing. However, assistance will be provided on behalf of family members who are eligible.

Income from both eligible and ineligible household members are included in calculating household rent responsibility. Both eligible and ineligible household members are included in the household size when determining the appropriate income limit and eligible number of bedrooms.

Rental Assistance for a Mixed-Eligibility Family

Concerning Section 8 and Section 9.6.3 of the Administrative Plan, rental assistance for a mixed-eligibility family is calculated as if all the family members are eligible and then adjusted by the family’s percentage of eligibility. Calculating a family’s subsidy considers factors such as eligible bedroom size (see "How will I know what size of home I can apply for with a Section 8 voucher?"), the market rate of the rental unit, and the household income of all family members (including ineligible family members). 

Based on this formula, if the full subsidy that would be paid to the landlord for a completely eligible household were $1,000, the landlord of a family with three eligible members and one ineligible member would receive a subsidy of $750. The household would be responsible for paying both their typical rent responsibility (30% of household income) and this difference to their landlord.

Show All Answers

1. Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Frequently Asked Questions
2. How will I know if the Section 8 Waiting List is open? When will it open again?
3. How will I know if I am on the Waiting List for Section 8 HCV or not?
4. If I need help with the Applicant Portal, what can I do?
5. I've applied for Section 8. What is my status or number on the Waiting List?
6. What is the Waiting List screening process? When will I receive a voucher?
7. What do you mean "preference"?
8. I applied and have not received a letter or a phone call. Will I?
9. How do I obtain a Login for the Applicant Portal? I have lost my confirmation number, what do I do?
10. After I apply, why does it take so long to receive assistance?
11. How do I change my address or phone number? How do I add another household member? How do I update my income/report a new job?
12. Why should I update my application?
13. If I have a felony will that automatically make me ineligible? What about rental history or other criminal activity?
14. How will I know what size of home I can apply for with a Section 8 voucher?
15. My family includes citizens and/or permanent resident non-citizens. My family also includes non-citizens who are not Permanent Residents. Are we still eligible for Section 8/Low-Income Public Housing?
16. What would my rent be with a voucher?
17. I have been denied. What can I do?
18. Where are the homes I can rent?
19. I have been discriminated against in my search for housing. What can I do?