How to Apply for North Dakota Section 8

North Dakota Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program is for very-low income families, elderly, and disabled so that they can afford a safe and decent housing in the public housing market. The participants can choose an apartment, a single-family unit, or a large family home. However, the housing unit selected should meet participant’s requirements in addition to being safe and sanitary according to quality standards set by U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The owner of the property should be willing to allow a Section 8 tenant.

North Dakota Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program is funded by U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and administered by local Public Housing Agencies (PHAs). Each PHA maintains its own waiting list. If the waiting list reaches the maximum number of applicants allowed within the budget for Section 8 rental assistance, the PHA will close the waiting list and applications for Section 8 rental assistance won’t be accepted anymore.

Section 8 participants will need to inform PHA about the housing unit they have chosen for using Section 8 rental assistant. A PHA representative will inspect the housing unit to ensure that it meets HUD’s quality standards. The PHA will sign a contract with the owner/manager to provide rental subsidy directly to him/her. Section 8 participants will sign a contract of lease with the owner and make the remaining rental payments, which is not more than 30% of household’s net income. These participants will be tenants under the contract. Therefore, they’ll have to comply with the terms of the contract and pay rent and utilities on time. In case of default, landlord will reserve the right to ask for eviction.

In order to participate in North Dakota Section 8, applicants will need to meet various eligibility requirements for the program. The program mainly uses family size and its annual income to access the eligibility of the applicants. Those with income below 50% of the median income level will be able to qualify for the voucher program if they meet other requirements as well. However, 75% of the vouchers are to be given to individuals and families below 30% of the median income level. This is to ensure that the program helps the most vulnerable first and then expands its assistance to others.

To apply for North Dakota Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, you’ll need to file an application or a pre-application, as the PHA may require. Once you’ve filed the application, the PHA will determine your eligibility and place you on the waiting list if you meet all the eligibility requirements. Applicants placed on the waiting list may not receive the rental assistance for years due to the excessive number of applications filed and limited funds available. When your name comes up, the PHA will send you a date of interview where your final eligibility for the program will be determined. You can call at 919-807-4440 for more information about the Section 8 program in North Dakota.

Who can Qualify for Section 8?

In order to participate in the North Dakota Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, applicants will need to meet the following eligibility criteria.

Citizenship: Applicants can only receive Section 8 rental assistance if they are U.S citizens or legal immigrants. Applicants will need to bring their documents at the time of the interview to establish their citizenship.

Income: Applicants will need to prove their household income to be below 50% of the median income level to be put on the waiting list for Section 8 rental assistance. By law, 75% of the total vouchers are to be given to the families with income below 30% of the median income level.

Background check: The PHA will run a background check to determine whether applicant has been evicted from a public housing on drug-related criminal activity or not. Those evicted on this ground will not be able to apply for Section 8 for at least three years.

How to Apply

In order to apply for North Dakota Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, applicants will need to file an application with their local PHA. You can use this list (http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/pha/contacts/states/nd.cfm) of PHAs to find a local PHA distributing Section 8 vouchers. You can also call the PHA for more information about eligibility and application process for the Section 8 program.

Once you submit a completed application, a PHA representative will check your eligibility. Once determined as qualified, you’ll be placed on a waiting list.

When your name comes up on the waiting list, you’ll receive a date from PHA for interview. Your eligibility for Section 8 will be determined and a voucher will be issued once you meet all the eligibility requirements. You can find a residence anywhere in the state to use the voucher. If you’re moving from one housing unit to another, you’ll need to inform the PHA to continue using your voucher at the new housing unit. Your eligibility will be recertified each year.