The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program provides rental assistance to low-income families and elderly or disabled individuals who rent from a private landlord. Eligibility for the Section 8 program is determined by family composition and income guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which provides the program funding. Some of the eligibility requirements are as follows:

• One member of the household must be a U.S. citizen or non-citizen with eligible status
• A family of 2 or more persons where the head of household is 18 years of age or older
  OR
• A family of two or more persons, at least one of whom is elderly or permanently handicapped/ disabled
  OR
• A single person who is over the age of 18

Participants in the Section 8 program pay 30-40% of the household's monthly adjusted gross income toward their housing expenses. Eligible applicants for Section 8 program are given a Housing Choice Voucher and 60 days to find an approved rental unit. T he Section 8 program provides rental assistance to participants who want to rent from a private landlord. Participants may choose the type of housing they wish to rent. Prior to being placed under the program and at least annually thereafter each unit must pass a Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection to ensure that the unit is a safe and decent place to live. Approximately 2,500 households are served through Section 8 programs. The DMMHA administers the Section 8 program throughout Polk County.

For more information, contact the Housing Services Department at (515) 323-8950.

Administrative Offices – Park Fair Mall
100 E Euclid Ave. Suite 101
Des Moines, Iowa 50313
(515) 323-8950