ARIZONA NEWS

Phoenix to open Housing Choice Voucher waitlist for first time since 2016

Sep 5, 2023, 11:00 AM | Updated: 11:16 am

A "for rent" sign hangs outside a property. Phoenix will open its Housing Choice Voucher, or Sectio...

Phoenix will open its Housing Choice Voucher, or Section 8, pre-application waitlist Sept. 12-26, 2023. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

PHOENIX — For the first time in seven years, Phoenix will open its Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) waitlist for a limited period this month.

The federally funded program, also known as Section 8, provides rental assistance to qualifying low-income individuals and families.

The City of Phoenix Housing Department will accept HCV pre-applications from 8 a.m. Sept. 12 through 7 p.m. Sept. 26.

It won’t be a first-come, first-served process. Instead, all pre-applications received during the 15-day window will be added to the waitlist afterward on a randomized basis.

Applicants don’t get screened for program eligibility until they are selected from the waitlist when vouchers become available.

What is the Housing Choice Voucher program?

“The Housing Choice Voucher program is a necessary and valuable resource for Phoenix residents,” Housing Director Titus Mathew said in a press release. “We are excited for the opportunity for more individuals and families to join the waitlist and have access to assistance in obtaining safe and stable affordable housing.”

Section 8 recipients generally pay at least 30% of their monthly income on rent and utilities, and the program covers the remainder of their rent.

Tenants are responsible for finding their own housing from participating landlords on the private rental market.

The city offers landlords a cash incentive of $2,000 per unit to join the program. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funds the vouchers.

Phoenix hasn’t accepted new pre-applications for its tenant waitlist since 2016, according to the city.

How to pre-apply for Phoenix Section 8 rent assistance

The city says it takes about 10 minutes to complete a pre-application, which includes basic information such as mailing address, email, phone number, household members and income.

Submissions can be made online in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese Mandarin, Chinese Cantonese, Korean and Swahili.

In addition, paper forms are available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese Mandarin, Chinese Cantonese, Korean, Swahili, Arabic and alternate formats. Completed paper pre-applications can be dropped off at the city’s Section 8 office in a sealed envelope or submitted via mail, email or fax.

The drop-off and postal address is 830 E. Jefferson Street, Phoenix, AZ, 85034. Mailed pre-applications must be postmarked no later than Sept. 26.

The email address for submissions is S8waitlist@phoenix.gov, and the fax number is 602-534-4243.

There is no fee to apply to the program or receive vouchers.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

patrol car in roadway in front of yellow tape...

KTAR.com

2 people are dead after separate shooting incidents occur within hours in Phoenix

Two people were pronounced dead in Phoenix after two shooting incidents occurred within two hours of each other on Saturday.

2 hours ago

(AZ511 Photo)...

KTAR.com

Eastbound Loop 202 reopens after for multi-car crash leaving 1 dead

Authorities closed eastbound traffic on the Loop 202 near 32nd Street early Sunday after a pedestrian was struck and killed by a car.

4 hours ago

Mesa College Promise program gets $25K to help STEM students...

Serena O'Sullivan

Mesa College Promise program gets $25K from Google Fiber to support STEM students

A new grant from Google Fiber could help STEM students in Mesa through a new $25,000 donation, officials said Friday.

5 hours ago

(Jopwell Photo/via Pexels)...

Kim Komando

Smart tech life hacks Arizona workers should use to save time and stay safe

I got a text from a number I felt I should have known not long ago, but it wasn’t saved in my phone. There’s a smart trick I used to find it.

6 hours ago

Heritage Marketplace is a new development in a historic flavor in the historic Heritage Square area...

Jeff Gifford/Phoenix Business Journal

Gilbert approves $18.4 million land purchase in historic Heritage District

The town of Gilbert has approved the $18.4 million purchase of 18 acres of land in the city’s historic Heritage District.

7 hours ago

Chandler woman accused of abusing over 50 special needs dogs...

KTAR.com

Activists played key role in arrest of Chandler woman accused of abusing special needs dogs

The Chandler Police Department arrested an Arizona woman Friday on suspicions of animal cruelty, officials said.

17 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Ignite Digital

How to unlock the power of digital marketing for Phoenix businesses

All businesses around the Valley hopes to maximize their ROI with current customers and secure a greater market share in the digital sphere.

Sanderson Ford...

Sanderson Ford

Sanderson Ford congratulates D-backs’ on drive to great first half of 2023

The Arizona Diamondbacks just completed a red-hot first half of the major league season, and Sanderson Ford wants to send its congratulations to the ballclub.

...

re:vitalize

When most diets fail, re:vitalize makes a difference that shows

Staying healthy and losing weight are things many people in Arizona are conscious of, especially during the summer.

Phoenix to open Housing Choice Voucher waitlist for first time since 2016