How to Buy a House with Section 8 HUD homeownership Eligibility, Application & Requirements 2026

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How to Buy a House with Section 8 HUD homeownership Eligibility, Application & Requirements 2026
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To buy a house using Section 8, you must be an eligible participant in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Homeownership Program, which allows you to use your monthly rental assistance towards mortgage payments instead of rent. The program is administered locally by public housing agencies (PHAs) and is not available in all areas, so the first step is to confirm if your local PHA offers it.


Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the HCV Homeownership Program, you must meet several federal and local requirements:
Current Voucher Holder: You must already be a participant in the Housing Choice Voucher program.
First-Time Homebuyer: Generally, no one in your household can have owned a home in the past three years.

Income & Employment:
Minimum Income: You must meet a minimum annual income (typically at least $14,500, but can vary by location). This income must primarily come from employment, not welfare assistance.

Employment History: At least one adult in the household must have been continuously employed full-time (30+ hours/week) for at least one year before receiving assistance.

Exceptions: These employment and income requirements do not apply if the head of household or spouse is elderly (62+) or disabled.

Credit and Savings: Many PHAs require a minimum credit score (often 640+) and a minimum amount in personal savings (e.g., 1% of the purchase price).

Compliance: You must be in good standing with your current landlord and in full compliance with all voucher program requirements.

Mandatory Education: You must complete a pre-assistance homeownership and housing counseling program through a HUD-approved housing counseling agency.

FSS Program (Optional but Recommended): While not always mandatory, enrolling in the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program can help you build an escrow savings account that can be used for down payments and closing costs.

Step-by-Step Process
Verify Program Availability: Contact your local Public Housing Authority (PHA) to confirm they offer the HCV Homeownership Program. If they do not, you may be able to "port" your voucher to a neighboring PHA that does.
Meet Eligibility: Ensure you meet all the requirements, focusing on employment history, income, and saving for a down payment.

Complete Homebuyer Education: Enroll in and complete a HUD-approved homeownership counseling course.
Secure Mortgage Pre-Approval: Find a lender experienced with the Section 8 program who can pre-approve you for a mortgage based on your income and voucher assistance.

Shop for a Home: Work with a real estate agent (ideally one familiar with the program) to find an eligible home within your PHA's price and location standards.

Get Inspections: The property must pass both the PHA's Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection and an independent professional home inspection (at your expense).

Finalize Paperwork and Close: Coordinate with your lender and PHA to complete all necessary documents, including the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract. The PHA will begin making monthly assistance payments to the lender, covering the difference between your 30% contribution and your total housing costs.

By following these steps, eligible Section 8 participants can transition from renting to homeownership, building equity and long-term financial stability.
These HUD resources detail the requirements and steps for using Housing Choice Vouchers to purchase a home: