Florida Section 8 Housing Assistance is available through Housing Choice Voucher Program, which is a federal program funded by HUD and administered by your local housing authority. The assistance is provided to those low-income families who cannot afford to rent an apartment that is complete with minimum dwelling requirements, such as safety and sanitation. The housing assistance is available in the form of rental subsidies, and the portion of the rent to be paid by you is, in most cases, only 30 percent of your monthly adjusted income.
To qualify for the Section 8 housing assistance in Florida, your income must fall within the income limits of the PHA you are applying. The income limits are determined by HUD for each individual location in Florida and other States of the US. For most cities, it is 50% below the area median income. Other factors are also taken into consideration while determining your eligibility for the housing assistance program. These may include family size, your qualification as a family with minor children, disabled persons or veterans and your past history as a tenant.
Section 8 Housing Assistance in Florida
You need to approach a housing authority in order to obtain Section 8 housing assistance in Florida. The information regarding eligibility criteria, income limits and whether the Section 8 waiting list is open can be obtained from the housing authority either in person or online. It is not necessary that you apply only the PHA that serves your area in the state. In fact, you are free to apply at any PHA no matter which location in Florida it serves, but the condition is that you must live within the jurisdiction of that PHA for at least one year before moving to some other location.
Moreover, it is advisable for you to apply at more than one location as long waiting lists are usual with most housing authorities in Florida. Your chances to obtain a Section 8 voucher in the least time will improve greatly if you go for multiple applications. Even after receiving a Section 8 voucher, housing assistance is not guaranteed, as you may find it difficult to search a landlord that is willing to accept a voucher holder. Moreover, the rental apartment you choose must meet the housing quality standards set by HUD and the landlord has to come into an agreement with the PHA to maintain this standard during the entire period of Section 8 assistance.
For more info on Florida Section 8 housing assistance, you can contact the HUD office located near you in the State. The offices are open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on all week days except Saturday and Sunday.
Jacksonville Office
Charles E. Bennett Federal Building
400 W. Bay Street, Suite 1015
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: (904) 232-2627
Fax: (904) 232-3759
Miami Office
Brickell Plaza Federal Building
909 SE First Avenue, Room 500
Miami, FL 33131-3028
Phone: (305) 536-5678
Fax: (305) 536-5765
Orlando Office
3751 Maguire Blvd., Suite 270
Orlando, FL 32803
Phone: (407) 648-6441
Fax: (407) 648-6310
Tampa Office
Timberlake Federal Building
500 E. Zack Street, Suite 402
Tampa, FL 33602-2945
Phone: (813) 228-2026
Fax: (813) 228-2431
Get a list of housing authority that provides Section 8 housing assistance in Florida here:
Website: http://www.fhasecure.gov/offices/pih/pha/contacts/states/fl.cfm
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