Learn About Section 8 Requirements in Washington D.C.

Washington D.C. Section 8 requirements for eligibility are primarily based on your family’s size and total income. Your Section 8 qualifications are also determined by the median household earning in your area and whether you qualify for elderly, disabled or family status.

Applicants who meet the DC Section 8 eligibility requirements will be added to a waiting list. Some waiting lists in the area are currently closed. Applicants in these areas must check with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to see which districts are accepting new Section 8 applications. Additionally, certain categories of eligible applicants, such as families, receive preference. Parties rejected from the waitlist for ineligibility may file a Section 8 denial appeal to receive an informal hearing to contest their status.

About Washington D.C. Section 8 Requirements for Family Status

HUD defines families as one or more individuals who live together. Families that meet Section 8 housing eligibility requirements do not have to be related by blood, marriage or adoption. In any case, HUD gives preference to specific categories of families to provide for those most in need. The kinds of families currently given preference are:

• The homeless or those families currently living in substandard housing.
• Those paying 50 percent or more of their annual income on rent costs.
• Families who have been involuntarily displaced.

Housing choice vouchers are also provided to families who meet HUD housing requirements in Washington D.C. for the Family Unification Program. The Family Unification Program serves families that would be affected by a lack of housing in the following ways:

• A lack of housing would result in the placement of a child into out-of-home care.
• A lack of housing would prevent a child from returning to the family from out-of-home care.

What are the Section 8 income limits in Washington D.C.?

Section 8 income limits are determined by HUD and divided into three separate categories: low, very low and extremely low income. For those asking, “Do I qualify for low income housing in D.C.?” applicants will need to review the requirements for each category based on the number of people in their household:

• Applicants qualify as low income if they earn 80 percent of the median family earning in the district.
• Candidates are considered very low income if they earn 50 percent of the median family earning in the district.
• The extremely low income for housing bracket is defined as earning 30 percent of the median family earning in the district.

Note: The median family earning in D.C. is $117,500. The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) provides 75 percent of its housing choice vouchers to applicants who qualify for the extremely low income bracket.

Section 8 income requirements are updated each year. Find out which current income limit you may qualify for based on your family size below:

• A one-person family qualifies as low income with a gross annual income of $54,250, very low income at $41,050 and extremely low income at $24,650.
• A two-person family qualifies as low income with a gross annual income of $62,000, very low income at $46,900 and extremely low income at $28,150.
• A three-person family qualifies as low income with a gross annual income of $69,750, very low income at $52,750 and extremely low income at $31,650.
• A four-person family qualifies as low income at $77,450, very low income at $58,600 and extremely low income at $35,150.
• A five-person family qualifies as low income with a gross annual income of $83,650, very low income at $63,300 and extremely low income at $38,000.
• A six-person family qualifies as low income at $89,850, very low income at $68,000 and extremely low income at $40,800.
• A seven-person family qualifies as low income with a gross annual income of $96,050, very low income at $72,700 and extremely low income at $43,600.
• An eight-person family qualifies as low income at $102,250, very low income at $77,400 and extremely low income at $46,400.

About Washington D.C. Section 8 Qualifications for Legal Presence and Residency

D.C. HUD housing requirements indicate that applicants must be at least 18 years of age and United States citizens to receive Section 8 benefits. Additionally, candidates can obtain low income housing eligibility if they have an eligible immigration status. A petitioner may qualify if he or she is 18 years of age and:

• An individual who was granted 1986 amnesty status.
• A survivor or relative of a human trafficking survivor.
• A lawful permanent U.S. resident.
• A conditional entrant into the U.S.
• A parolee.
• A withholding grantee.
• An asylee.
• A refugee.
• A registry immigrant.

For D.C. residents wondering how to qualify for Section 8 housing if they move to a new home or state, they may take their housing voucher with them. Families that would like to retain their housing assistance are required to report their move to the DCHA ahead of time, find an acceptable housing alternative and submit an update form to the DCHA.