Federal public housing programs are administered through local offices throughout the United States, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. A number of laws govern who can live in a public housing unit or receive a "section 8" voucher toward renting an apartment from a participating landlord. Generally, public housing programs are designed for law-abiding citizens who suffer from significant income challenges, are elderly or disabled. All public housing programs, whether section 8 or government-owned, must offer only sanitary dwellings to participants.
In order to qualify for public housing, under federal law you must meet income guidelines, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The specific income limitations depend upon your state of residence as well as whether or not you live in a major metropolitan area. You and your dependents cannot earn more than half of the annual median income level for your geographic region and family size. Keep in mind that meeting the low-income criteria is not enough; under federal law, 75 percent of public housing units and section 8 vouchers are reserved for families that earn 30 percent or less of the area’s annual median income.
Requirements for Expedited Assistance
Most public housing programs keep a waiting list, according to HUD. Families that meet certain emergency guidelines receive priority. Homeless people with a source of income, households using more than 50 percent of their financial resources to pay rent, or people displaced due to a natural disaster or domestic violence receive expedited public housing assistance.
Rent Payment Requirements
Under federal public housing regulations, families usually must pay 30 percent of their monthly income for rent, according to HUD. The percentage applies whether the family rents a government-owned housing unit or uses a section 8 voucher to rent from an independently owned apartment complex that accepts the vouchers. In large metropolitan areas and for some housing programs, the family can be required to pay 40 percent of their income toward rent. But no family enrolled in public housing programs will ever be required to allot more of their monthly income toward rent. Also, sometimes people receiving public housing subsidies can use their benefits to purchase a home. Extensive homeowner education and credit qualification are usually required for such programs.