How to Apply for Section 811 Housing

What Section 811 is and who can apply

Section 811 provides rental subsidies for people with disabilities who live independently or in small group homes. Unlike Section 8, which serves any low-income household, Section 811 is reserved for non-elderly adults with disabilities and their families. The program pays part of your rent directly to your landlord, and you pay the rest from your own income.

To be considered, you must have a disability documented by Social Security, the Veterans Administration, or a state agency. The disability must be expected to last at least 12 months. Your household income must fall below the area median income limit set by HUD — this varies by location and household size, so you'll need to check your local public housing authority's current limits.

Section 811 does not cover people over 62 (those use Section 8 or other senior programs instead). You also cannot be receiving rental assistance from another federal program at the same time.

Key Takeaways

• Section 811 is only for non-elderly adults with disabilities, and your disability must be documented by Social Security, the VA, or a state agency.
• Your local public housing authority (PHA) maintains the waiting list and sets income limits, which differ by location and family size.
• You will need proof of disability, proof of income, a signed lease or landlord letter, and identification to submit your application.
• Most PHAs have long waiting lists, so you may be placed on a list and contacted months or years later when a voucher becomes available.
• Once you receive a voucher, you have a set time (usually 60 to 120 days) to find a landlord who accepts Section 811 before the voucher expires.

Finding your local public housing authority and checking the waiting list status

Section 811 is administered by your local public housing authority (PHA), not by a federal office. The PHA is usually a city or county agency that manages all rental assistance programs in your area. You can find your PHA by visiting HUD.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/pha_contacts or by calling 211 and asking for the public housing authority in your county.

Before you gather documents, call your PHA directly and ask whether Section 811 is currently open to new applications. Many PHAs have closed waiting lists because demand far exceeds available vouchers. If the list is closed, ask when it typically reopens — some reopen annually, others only when funding changes. Getting this answer first saves you time gathering paperwork for a program that is not currently taking applications.

If the list is open, ask the PHA for the current income limits for your household size and your area. Write down the exact limit — this is the number you'll need to verify your income falls below. Also ask whether they have a preference for people with certain disabilities or living situations, as some PHAs prioritize homeless individuals or people leaving institutions.

Documents you will need to gather

Section 811 applications require proof in several categories. Have these ready before you call or visit your PHA:

• Proof of disability: A letter from Social Security showing your disability information, a VA disability rating letter, or a letter from a state vocational rehabilitation agency. If you have already been approved for SSI or SSDI, a recent benefit statement works. If you are applying for disability benefits but have not yet been approved, ask your local Social Security office for a letter showing your application is pending.
• Proof of income: Recent pay stubs (usually the last 30 days), tax returns from the past two years, or a letter from your employer stating your income. If you receive benefits, bring recent statements from Social Security, SSI, SSDI, unemployment, or any other source. If you have no income, bring a statement from the agency that denied you benefits.
• Proof of citizenship or legal residency: A birth certificate, passport, green card, or work authorization document. If you do not have these, ask the PHA what alternative documents they accept.
• Identification: A driver's license, state ID, or passport.
• A signed lease or landlord letter: If you already have housing, bring your lease. If you do not yet have housing, some PHAs will accept a letter from a landlord stating they are willing to rent to you. Others require you to find housing after you receive the voucher.

Make copies of everything before you submit. Keep one set for your records and bring originals or certified copies to your PHA.

Submitting your application in person or by mail

Most PHAs require you to apply in person at their office, though some accept mail or online submissions. Call your PHA and ask which method they use and what their current hours are. If you apply in person, bring all original documents plus two copies of each. The PHA staff will review them on the spot and tell you if anything is missing.

If you mail your application, send it certified mail with return receipt so you have proof it arrived. Include a cover letter with your name, phone number, and the date. Keep a copy of everything you send. Call the PHA one week after mailing to confirm they received it and to ask if any documents are missing.

When you submit, ask for a receipt or confirmation number. This is your proof that you applied. The PHA will place you on the waiting list and send you a letter confirming your position. Keep this letter — you will need it if you move or if you contact the PHA later to update your information.

What happens after you apply: waiting lists and voucher issuance

After you submit your application, the PHA will verify your information with Social Security, your employer, and other agencies. This verification can take several weeks. Once verified, you are placed on the waiting list in the order your application was received (or in priority order if your PHA has preferences for certain groups).

Section 811 waiting lists are typically very long. Depending on your area, you may wait months or several years before a voucher becomes available. Some PHAs will contact you by phone or mail when a voucher is ready; others require you to call periodically to confirm you are still interested. Ask your PHA which method they use and how often you should check in.

If your circumstances change — your income increases, you move, your disability status changes, or you are no longer interested — contact your PHA immediately. Staying in touch keeps your application active and ensures the PHA can reach you when a voucher is available.

Using your voucher to find housing and move in

When the PHA notifies you that a voucher is available, you will receive a packet of information explaining how much rent the program will cover in your area. This amount is called the payment standard and varies by bedroom size and location. The PHA will also give you a list of landlords who have previously accepted Section 811 vouchers, though you are not required to use only those landlords.

You then have a set time — usually 60 to 120 days, depending on your PHA — to find a landlord and sign a lease. The landlord must agree to accept Section 811 as payment. Not all landlords do, so you may need to contact several. Once you find housing and sign a lease, the landlord submits it to the PHA for approval. The PHA inspects the unit to ensure it meets housing quality standards, and if it passes, they begin paying the landlord directly.

You pay the difference between the PHA's payment and the actual rent. If the rent is higher than the payment standard, you pay the extra amount. If the rent is lower, you pay less. Your share is typically calculated as 30 percent of your adjusted income, but this varies by PHA.

What to do if your application is denied or if you need to update your information

If the PHA denies your application, they must send you a written notice explaining why. Common reasons include income above the limit, disability not meeting the program's definition, or failure to provide required documents. The notice will tell you how to request a hearing to appeal the decision. You have the right to present additional evidence and explain your situation to a hearing officer.

If your circumstances change after you apply — such as a change in income, address, or household composition — contact your PHA in writing and by phone. Ask them to update your file. If you move out of the PHA's service area, you may be able to transfer your application to the new area's PHA, but this varies by program. Call your current PHA and ask about portability before you move.

If you are on the waiting list and have not heard from the PHA in over a year, call to confirm you are still active. Some PHAs remove people from the list if they cannot reach them, so staying in contact is important.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for Section 811 if I am already receiving Section 8?

No. You cannot receive rental assistance from two federal programs at the same time. If you are currently on a Section 8 waiting list or receiving a Section 8 voucher, you must withdraw from one program before you can be considered for the other. Contact your PHA to discuss which program is the better fit for your situation.

What if my disability is not yet approved by Social Security?

You can still apply. Ask your local Social Security office for a letter stating that your application for disability benefits is pending. Some PHAs will place you on the waiting list conditionally, meaning you must provide proof of approval before you receive a voucher. Others will not consider you until approval is final. Call your PHA and ask which applies to you.

Do I have to have housing before I apply?

This depends on your PHA. Some require a signed lease or landlord letter at the time of application. Others allow you to apply without housing and give you time to find it after you receive a voucher. Call your PHA and ask what they require. If they require housing upfront and you do not have it, ask whether they accept a landlord's letter of intent to rent.

How long does it take to hear back after I apply?

Verification typically takes two to four weeks. After that, you are placed on the waiting list. How long you wait for a voucher depends entirely on your PHA's waiting list length and how many vouchers become available. Some areas have waiting lists of several years; others move faster. Your PHA can tell you the average wait time in your area when you apply.

What if I cannot find a landlord who accepts Section 811?

You have a limited time to find housing before your voucher expires. If you are struggling, contact your PHA's housing search assistance program — many PHAs offer this service at no cost. They can help you identify landlords, negotiate lease terms, and prepare your application. If you cannot find housing before the deadline, contact your PHA immediately to ask about an extension.