Section 8 Wait List is closed until further notice.

Please check back to find out when the waiting list will re-open.

Housing Choice Voucher Program

The Section 8 Housing Choice Program allows low-income citizens to find their own places to rent in Burlington. Voucher holders are free to choose any house that meets minimum health and safety standards where the landlord is willing to participate in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program. Since assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments. Once a family finds a home that they wish to rent, Low Rent Housing Agency of Burlington Iowa (LRHA) must inspect the unit to make sure that it meets HUD’s housing quality standards. LRHA also checks to make sure the rents are reasonable and within the fair market rent rage for Burlington. Households assisted through the Section 8 program may pay 30%-40% of their income toward the rent. LRHA pays private landlords the difference between what participating households pay and the rent for the units. 

Required Application Items

At the time of application, the following items are required.

  • Social Security Cards for ALL household members;
  • Photo ID for all adult (18 and over) household members;
  • Birth certificates or passports for ALL household members
  • Immigration documentation if applicable.

Applicants who live within Burlington city limits are given a preference over those outside our jurisdiction.

Eligibility

HUD is required by law to set income limits to determine eligibility of applicants for HUD’s assisted housing programs, including the HCV program. The income limits are published annually and are based on HUD estimates of median family income in a particular area or county based on family size.

Other eligibility factors include:

  • Family composition
  • Arrest history
  • Past participation in federally subsidized programs

Section 8 Specialist: Annette Remick

Email: annetter@burlingtonhousing.net

Phone: 319 752-4042 ext. 1.

Income Eligibility

HUD is required by law to set income limits that determine the eligibility of applicants for HUD’s assisted housing programs, including the Housing Choice Voucher program. The income limits are published annually and are based on HUD estimates of median family income in a particular area or county, with adjustments for family size.

Levels of Low-Income

Low-income: A family whose annual income does not exceed 80 percent of the median income for the area, adjusted for family size.

Very low-income: A family whose annual income does not exceed 50 percent of the median income for the area, adjusted for family size.

Extremely low-income: A family whose annual income does not exceed 30 percent of the median income for the area, adjusted for family size.

Income limits are used for eligibility only at admission. Eligibility is established by comparing a family’s annual income with HUD’s published income limits.