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Do I qualify for section 8 housing, and if so, how do I go about getting it?

I am 18 years old, and I have a 15 month old daughter. I am not currently working, and I know that I need to be working to qualify but I have been applying anywhere and everywhere. So once I do get a job, of course, how would I go about applying for section 8 housing and what are my chances of actually getting in?

Public Comments

1. at the hud.gov website, find your local HUD housing assistance office. You call them for an appointment and that starts the mechanism. you can not apply over the web or by telephone, you must go in person.
2. If you can try the suburbs around the main city where you live. You see everyone hits the main office for the big city. What not everyone knows is, if you hit the suburbs you have more chances of getting on more waiting lists. City, County and local organizations may help you to pay rent while on the waiting list. Good luck
3. Contact your local HUD office and ask if they are accepting applications for section-8. Some cities have closed their wait list because it is an estimated 7+ years. You can google your city+HUD and visit the website. If the wait list is closed, it will be posted and will let you know where to look when it opens (often the newspaper). While it is required to work, obviously it's understandable that employment may be hard to come by at times (especially with the current high unemployment rates). As a single parent, you will be eligible if your income is a certain percentage of the poverty level - the website will tell you the information that you need for eligibility. Once you are on the waiting list there isn't anything to do but wait. You will be contacted when your name rises to the top and will go through a more stringent application process to see if you still qualify (remember, this may be six years from now and you may no longer require assistance). You may want to look into government housing, as the waiting period is often substantially less than section-8; however, you have fewer housing choices and they will contact you and tell you which home is available and you have to choose if you want to live in that home (they're often in less-desirable areas that may or may not have safety concerns). Don't give up looking for a job - it can be difficult, particularly if you don't have a sufficient work history. You may want to look at group homes, nursing homes, gas stations, and currently all of the stores for seasonal help (temp work is better than nothing and may lead to full-time employment). Good luck to you!
4. Yes, you have to be working at least 35 hours a week and collecting child support. Your chances of getting housing is very low, the elderly, the disabled and families with more children all take priority over you.