Section 8 Eligibility
Eligibility is set by income, household composition, and citizenship status.
Income limits (AMI tiers)
| Tier | % of AMI | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Extremely Low | ≤30% | Counts toward the 75% preference |
| Very Low | ≤50% | Classic "very low income" target |
| Low | ≤80% | Maximum for voucher eligibility |
| Above 80% | >80% | Not eligible |
The 75% rule
At least 75% of a PHA's new vouchers each year must go to households at or below 30% of AMI. This is why very low-income families are prioritized.
Other requirements
- Citizenship or eligible immigration status for household members
- Not subject to a lifetime sex-offender registry bar
- Pass screening for drug-related or violent criminal activity (PHA discretion)
Check your tier
Use the Income Limits tool to see the 30/50/80% AMI figures for your county and household size.
About this tool
Maintained by the voucherfig research team. Figures derive from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) FY2026 Fair Market Rent County Level Data (revised; effective 2026-05-21) and 24 CFR § 982. Calculation methodology reviewed against HUD Handbook 7420.10.
Data retrieved: 2026-08-23. HUD data is public domain (U.S. federal government work).