Renton Housing Authority Opening Section 8 Waitlist Today Through 6/15

Hi, if you or someone you know need subsidized housing, I want to let you know about the opening of the Renton Housing Authority’s Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list today, June 4th through June 15th.

Section 8 vouchers allow participating tenants to choose and rent units from private landlords. The Housing Authority pays a fixed amount of the rent to the owner each month, and the tenant pays the difference between this subsidy and the total rent, in addition to any utilities not included in the rent. In general, tenants pay between 30 percent and 40 percent of their monthly income for rent and utilities.

This month, Renton Housing Authority will create a new waiting list for its Housing Choice Voucher Program by means of a random drawing. They have opened their Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Waitlist to online applications only; June 4th through June 15, 2012 or until 2,000 pre-applications are received, whichever occurs first.

Applications must be submitted online at http://www.rentonhousing.org/ while the waitlist is open to qualify for the random (lottery style) drawing. Applicant’s position on the waitlist is assigned by random drawing. The lottery for waitlist position will be held within one week after the pre-application process closes. Applicants will be notified by mail of their waitlist position in July; please do not call the office.

To be eligible, applicants must be 18 years or older with household income that does not exceed 50% of the area median income. That means your gross monthly income must be below $2,533 for a single person, below $2,895 for a family of 2, below $3,258 for a family of 3, below $3,616 for a family of 4, below $3908 for a family of 5, below $4195 for a family 6, below $4487 for a family of 7 or below $4775 for a family of 8.

Local libraries offer free access to computers, though libraries will not be able to respond to questions about the program. Call (425) 226-1850 extension 0 if assistance is needed to complete the online pre-application.

To submit a pre-application, visit website at rentonhousing.org. Follow the “apply” button for instructions to submit an application.

All low-income programs waitlists will remain open after the Section 8 list closes. Current applicants already on RHA low-income waitlists must submit a Section 8 application to be included in the lottery drawing. Good luck!