Does anyone know how low income housing works? I live in Fremont CA?
do I apply for Section 8 and then what happens, the government approves me and chooses the apartment or I choose the apartment and the government assists me financially based on how low my income is so I can afford the apartment I want??? Someone please share what you know
Renting & Real Estate - 3 Answers
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1 :
When you first apply, you will most likely be placed on a waiting list, that can be up to 2 years long....especially in the Bay Area. After you are approved, and meet the top of the list..you choose the apartment/house. You have to make sure whatever apartment you look at will take section 8. Some property owners/management do not take it for various reasons. You will pay rent based on your income level...and the government will pay the difference to the landlord. For example, you find an apartment for $800 a month, and your share is only $400. The government then pays the remaining $400. When you are apartment hunting, sometimes the ad will state that they accept section 8. If not, you have to ask.
2 :
You are not applying any time soon. Alameda County shut down their applications when the waiting list became too long. They are expecting to start accepting applications 2013. Once you have a voucher you choose where you want to live. The landlord has to accept the voucher, it is not required. It will only be for 80% of median rent for Fremont, so you may not be able to live exactly where you want, it has to be within the limit. What your income limit is depends how many children you have.
3 :
I am also in the Bay Area in a different county from you. You must go in person to your Housing Authority or city housing agency if Fremont has their own, you file an application and go on a waitlist. The waitlist around here is very long, at least 5 years and preference is for seniors and families. When I checked San Francisco, the waitlist was 10 years and that was 10 years ago. Being disabled does not get you more preference but sometimes being a veteran, homeless, displaced by government can get you up on the waitlist. If your county application process is closed and probably is, you can apply in another county. I did that, but then I did have to move to that county for 12 months before I could return to my own area. Yes, Section 8 takes 1/3 of your income for rent and there is a maximum rent price you are allowed to pay. Every county is different. There is public housing also and that is a separate waitlist. There are tax credit properties where a few apartments are subsidized. The Housing Authority has a list of all of them.
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