Reliable
At Reliable Choice, our key area of expertise is providing qualified guidance on Section 8 housing and managing the intricacies of the Housing Authority for the benefit of our clients - potential landlords and tenants alike.
choice
services
About Us
Here at Reliable Choice, we specialize in low-income housing and Section 8 consulting. We have been offering expert assistance to both Section 8 landlords and tenants for a very long time and have assisted numerous landlords in setting themselves up to offer subsidized housing to those who most need it. Having read hundreds of thousands of pages of Housing Authority documents and every piece of HUD legislation passed in the last ten years, we are experts on every aspect of low-income housing law and procedure. We have had the pleasure of working with a great multitude of Section 8 applicants and low-income housing landlords in every state as Section 8 consultants, and serving their needs has been our greatest honor and privilege. Do you require assistance under Section 8? Having trouble applying for affordable housing? Or perhaps you have inquiries as a landlord? If so, please get in touch with me and I'll be here to support you all the way! From expert phone and email consultation to casework and filings, we provide all the required services. Our consulting services are customized to meet the unique demands of each client. Above all, we think that housing is a human right rather than an item. Do not hesitate to contact us if you require assistance utilizing the system or finding housing.
Reliable choice services Tenant
  • Emergency Housing Assistance
  • Emergency Rental Assistance Program
  • Section 8 Housing
  • Section 8 Application
  • Section 8 Eligibility
  • Section 8 Voucher
  • Section 8 Waiting list
  • Section 8 Portability Process & Moving
  • Landlord and Housing Discrimination
  • Case Management & Research
  • Low Income Housing
  • Affordable Housing
  • Subsidized Housing
  • (HUD- VASH) VA Supportive Housing
  • (VAWA Housing) Domestic Violent Housing
  • (HOPWA) Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS
  • (RRH) Rapid Rehousing
  • (PSH) Permanent Supportive House
  • Homeless Housing
  • Housing for Ex Felons
  • Section 202 Seniors Housing
  • Section 811 Housing for Disabled
Reliable choice services
What is Section 8?
The federal rent assistance program known as Section 8 was created in 1974 to assist low-income families, the elderly, and people with disabilities in relocating to safe and decent housing that they would not otherwise be able to afford. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development distributes these vouchers, which currently serve 5.2 million people, more
than twice as many as those living in public housing.

Rent paid by Section 8 is not always fully covered for each qualifying tenant. Rather, assistance is provided at varying degrees based on individual needs. In the event that an applicant's income is insufficient to pay for rent, for instance, the Housing Authority is likely to consent to wire transfers to the landlord to make up the difference. Therefore, the best way to characterize
Section 8 is as a type of emergency rent assistance provided by the government to those who otherwise would not be able to afford decent housing.

Continue reading below or get in touch with me if you have any questions regarding the specifics of Section 8 housing or if you just need to know how to find an affordable home quickly.

How Does It Work?
The world of Section 8 can be intimidating, but the basics are pretty straightforward. It all begins with a payment standard, which is a number calculated by the local public housing agency to represent the average rent for a given area. Low-income residents who cannot afford the payment standard often find themselves stuck in cheap, sub-par rentals in poor neighborhoods. This is where Section 8 comes into play.

Section 8 helps low-income residents determine how much rent they are able to afford (via their financial records) and compares that amount to their payment standard. If they are able to meet the payment standard, the Housing Authority then issues them a pre-paid housing voucher to make up for the difference. These monthly vouchers can also be used to purchase a home, which helps to reduce the homeownership rate between different income brackets. Once housing vouchers are issued, it is up to the beneficiary to find a property they want. The application process is very similar to any other rental application, except that a Section 8 agreement must be signed by both landlords and tenants. This is to make sure that everyone is informed of the provisions of Section 8; be assured, most landlords do not discriminate based only on a tenant's Section 8 status. Moreover, there are laws in place in multiple states that forbid it.

If you’re a tenant who wishes to know more about getting Section 8 or a landlord who is unsure of the specifics of Section 8 housing, please get in touch today for a complete walk-through.
Section 8: The Qualifications
Before applying for Section 8 housing vouchers, it is important to ensure that you meet the pre-application requirements. There are some exceptions to these requirements, but Section 8 eligibility is based on four fundamental criteria outlined by HUD.
Family status:
To be eligible for Section 8 housing, you must meet HUD's definition of 'family'. This does not mean the typical 'nuclear family' that you may see on television. There are some general guidelines, but each state has the power to determine what constitutes a 'family'. If you are unsure about your family status, get in touch with us for expert advice
Income leve:
Section 8 waiting lists are growing, with thousands of applicants joining each year. Therefore, it is only natural for the Housing Authority to review your income records before sending you any Section 8 vouchers. There are three income limits set by HUD each year: very low income; very low income; and low income
Citizenship status:
HUD housing assistance will only be awarded to U.S. citizens or those with qualifying immigration status, as is the case with most applications. When your public housing authority requests it, you will have to furnish them with appropriate identity and papers to confirm your immigrant status or citizenship. Please get in touch with me to verify your eligibility in advance or for assistance organizing your paperwork.
.
Eviction history:
If an applicant has been kicked out of a property within the last three years due to drug-related offenses, their HUD housing application will be denied. A conviction for methamphetamine production in assisted housing is also a disqualifying factor. Please visit the website of the American Addiction Centers for confidential hotlines on alcohol and drug addiction.
Section 8: The Issues With Getting Aid
For low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled, Section 8 can be a game-changer when implemented successfully. Nevertheless, there isn't a lot of useful information online, and applying for and getting housing vouchers can be a more complicated procedure than necessary. Other typical impediments and entrance hurdles include:
  • Protracted, Complicated Application Process: I am frequently asked how to obtain Section 8 instantly, and the short answer is you can't. It can be even more challenging to navigate the system for the elderly, blind and deaf, and non-native English speakers.
  • Unending Waiting Lists: Numerous additional households go without anything for every household that gets a housing voucher. Many people end themselves on waiting lists for years without receiving assistance from a consultant.
  • Changing Objectives: Every year, HUD establishes new income thresholds, so the bar for applications may shift right under your nose. It is possible for you to be abruptly transferred to a different group from the high-priority "extremely low income" group.
  • Discrimination: Unfortunately, an increasing amount of evidence indicates that many people have been wrongfully refused housing vouchers due to their racial and/or religious backgrounds.
Section 8: The Answer
You've come to the correct site if you're looking for information on how to obtain emergency housing aid without running into the traps and never-ending circles mentioned above. We've been guiding individuals through the complicated world of affordable housing through Reliable Choice for more than 20 years, and we're glad to say that, with a success rate of over 95%, we rank among the best in the country.

In addition to the actual HUD operations manuals that will demonstrate the optimal ways to respond to their intervention assessment questions, we at Reliable Choice provide our clients with all the insider knowledge you require to advance through the system. In order to help you avoid long lines and administrative dead ends, we can also coach you to rank higher on the housing priority waiting list.
Don't wait & book your Section 8 Consultation today!