--- title: 5 Things You Need To Know About Section 8 Today description: We've made understanding Section 8, housing subsidies & application processes easy by sharing our top 5 things you need to know about Section 8 today. image: https://info.oakleafpm.com/hubfs/section_8_tips.jpg --- [![Hello Bar](https://info.oakleafpm.com/hs-fs/file-2537290645-png/images/logo_white.png?width=48&height=29&name=logo_white.png)](http://www.hellobar.com/?hbt=orig) Apply for Quality Affordable Housing with Oakleaf [Click Here](http://www.oakleafpm.com/get-application/) Search Search [![Oakleaf Property Management](https://info.oakleafpm.com/hs-fs/hub/490700/file-2520101103.png)](http://www.oakleafpm.com/) - [Rental Application](http://www.oakleafpm.com/get-application/) - [News](https://info.oakleafpm.com/blog) - [About Us](http://www.oakleafpm.com/about-us/) - [Employment](http://www.oakleafpm.com/about-us/employment/) - [Service Coordinator Program](http://www.oakleafpm.com/about-us/service-coordination-program/) - 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It’s also something Oakleaf Property Managers are particularly well versed in.  If you’re looking for [information about Section 8](https://info.oakleafpm.com/blog/section-8-how-to-apply-and-what-to-expect), here is a great place to start.   **What is Section 8?** Section 8 rental subsidies are available in two different programs, one is tenant-based (the “Housing Choice Voucher Program”), and one is property-based. Oakleaf Properties participate in the property-based program to provide assistance to extremely low-income households with their housing costs. While there are ongoing efforts to streamline and enhance the program, currently 75 percent of the Section 8 budget funds are being targeted at households living at or below 30 percent of area median income. In this program, participants pay 30 percent of their incomes toward housing costs, with the program paying the remainder up to a set pre-defined amount. **What are the Basic Eligibility Requirements for Section 8?** Because funds are so limited and because apartment homes aren’t always available, there is a sometimes a rather lengthy application process and waiting period, before housing becomes available. To be eligible for assistance, all of the following needs to be verified. - Applicants must be a US citizen or a non-citizen with eligible immigration status. - Annual earnings must be less than 50% of the median income for the county/city of requested residence as verified by current paystubs. The number of people in the family determines the income maximum. - Any additional assets will be factored into eligibility, including real property, vehicles, savings accounts, investments, etc. - Family composition Other factors, like past participation in federally subsidized programs, rental history, arrest history, and payment history may also be additional factors in the application approval process. Under the Section 8 property program, tenant selection is regarded as the responsibility of the owner of the property as long as the federally mandated requirements are maintained. [Get started.](http://www.oakleafpm.com/get-application/) **How Do Section 8 Properties Work?** The beauty of the Section 8 Program is that it allows the properties to specifically help those who need it most. Some properties are designated and designed specifically for elderly individuals or residents with disabilities, and the each property is responsible for maintaining and complying with the eligibility criteria and occupancy requirements. Once approved and accepted, tenants sign and are responsible for their resident requirements as per their lease agreement with the landlord, which include the timely payment of their portion of the rent amount, which equals 30% of their income. The Section 8 Program subsidizes the rest of the rent payment and is paid directly to the landlord from the local public housing authority as part of their housing assistance payment contract. We will go over the details of your agreement, your apartment, and your payment arrangement at the time you sign your lease. If you have any additional questions at that time, please ask. We’re here to help you. **Where Can I Get Help With My Section 8 Application?** While the application process can be complicated, our goal at Oakleaf PM is to simplify it as much as we can for you. The goal is to get you the help you and your family need, with the peace of mind that we are working with you in the process. Your [local public housing authority (PHA)](http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/public_indian_housing/pha/contacts) should be your first reference when completing your application. Each PHA is supported by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and their job is to help determine your eligibility within the framework of the federal program. Understand that there is only so much a PHA or a property management firm can do when it comes to finding assistance or available housing, especially since local preferences and waiting lists will vary with each location. Oakleaf Property Management is here to help you with the application process based on our current property availability, and can also offer additional assistance with the application process. *For more information about tenant-based Section 8, also called the Housing Choice Voucher program, please see the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities’ [webpage](http://www.cbpp.org/).*   *[![Get Rental Application](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/490700/cae159de-8dbf-4138-bebe-24b5ce0c46c9.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/490700/cae159de-8dbf-4138-bebe-24b5ce0c46c9)* [Latest News](https://info.oakleafpm.com/blog/topic/latest-news) ### Contact Us ##### ![](https://info.oakleafpm.com/hs-fs/file-2545673260-jpg/images/icon-building.jpg) Oakleaf Property Management ![](https://info.oakleafpm.com/hs-fs/file-2545663240-jpg/images/icon-address.jpg)1019 Jones Street  Sioux City IA 51105 ![](https://info.oakleafpm.com/hs-fs/file-2527819156-jpg/images/icon-phone.jpg)712-255-3665 ### Recent Posts ### Subscribe to Email Updates [Google+](https://plus.google.com/100197110180233172722) ### Equal Opportunity Housing Oakleaf Property Management (Oakleaf PM), does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, creed, disability, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. This Institution is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. Oakleaf Property Management does not discriminate on the basis of handicap status in the admission or access to or treatment of employment in its federally assisted programs and activities. If you believe that you have been discriminated against, or would like information on what constitutes housing discrimination in HUD Section 8 Housing, call 1-800-669-9777, or call your local HUD Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, these institutions are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800)795-3272 (voice), or (202)720-6382 (TDD). Management Statement Oakleaf Property Management , (also known as Oakleaf PM) is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. Oakleaf Property Management is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sioux Falls Environmental Access, Inc. a Section 501(c)(3) charitable organization, each entity shall conduct all of their activities in accordance with Internal Revenue Procedure 96-32 or its successor. © Copyright 2013 Oakleaf Property Management. (also known as Oakleaf PM) All Rights Reserved. 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