applying for section 8 in Idaho

How to Apply for Idaho Section 8

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Idaho Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program is designed to help low-income households with rental assistance so that they can afford safe and quality housing. The program will pay all or some of the rental costs for eligible households.

The Section 8 rental assistance is funded by US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and administered by Idaho Housing and Finance Association (IHFA). IHFA has four branches and each of the branch maintains a waiting list for rental assistance through Section 8.

You will need to meet income and other eligibility criteria for Idaho Section 8 (Housing Choice Voucher) before you receive rental assistance through the program. In case, you’ve ever been evicted from public housing, you won’t be able to qualify for Idaho Section 8. Similarly, those convicted of drug related act or a violent criminal act will be disqualified for this program. Once you’ve been determined eligible for the program, you can live almost anywhere in the state of Idaho in any kind of safe and sanitary housing that meets IHFA’s housing quality standards. You can chose an apartment, home, or even a mobile home. You can search for rental units at Housing Idaho website (www.housingidaho.com).

A unit accepted for Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program will need to have adequate living space. It should have the following systems in working order

  • electric

  • water

  • sewerage

Moreover, housing unit needs to pass a quality standards inspection and have a reasonable rent compared to other houses in the neighborhood with similar facilities and size. Unsafe houses can’t be accepted for Idaho Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher.

For more information on rental assistance in the state of Idaho, you can visit Idaho Housing website or just walk in to one of the four offices of IHFA.


Who can Qualify for Section 8?

To quality for Idaho Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, you will need to meet certain eligibility criteria for the program.

  • Idaho Section 8 rental assistance is only available to residents of Idaho. Therefore, you should be a resident of the state of Idaho.

  • Idaho Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher is only for U.S citizens and qualified aliens. You will need to establish your citizenship and legality of alien status at the time of making application for rental assistance.

  • Your household income should be within the income limits as defined by HUD for Section 8.

  • You should not owe money to IHFA or any other housing authority.

  • You should not be convicted for fraud while participating in a federal housing program.

  • You shouldn’t have any record of being evicted from public housing.

  • Convicts (drug-related and violent criminal act) will not be allowed to participate in Idaho Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.


How to Apply

To apply for Idaho Section 8 rental assistance, you have the following options available.

  • Apply with your local PHA: There are number of local Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) in Idaho. You can contact any PHA and submit an application there. You can locate an office near you using this link (http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/pha/contacts/states/id.cfm). Most PHAs have a waiting list for rental assistance. To avoid waiting long, apply with as many PHAs as many possible.

  • Complete application at home: You can also choose to complete application at home and send it to IHFA office via mail. You can download an application for your county from this link (http://www.idahohousing.com/ihfa/rental-assistance/rental-assistance-application.aspx) or call at 1-800-255-5342 to ask for an application bundle to be sent via mail. Scroll to the bottom on this page to find application forms for different counties.