Who is Considered as Part of Your “Family” or “Household”?

As per the PHA, a “family” encompasses a person or group of individuals that:

• A “family” with children, even if they are temporarily placed in foster care, or a “household” without children.
• An elderly “family,” defined as a head of household, spouse, or single individual aged 62 or older, or if two or more elderly individuals reside in the same home.
• A disabled family, which includes a head of household, spouse, or single individual with a disability, or if there are two or more disabled individuals living together.
• A displaced family, where the entire family or individual has been forced to leave their residence due to a natural disaster or governmental intervention.
• A remaining member of a “family,” which refers to a person who continues to live in the home after other family members have moved out.
• A single individual who has not been displaced, is neither disabled nor elderly, and does not qualify as a remaining family member.

Can My Boyfriend / Fiancé Move in With Me on Section 8?

If you wish for your partner or fiancé to move in with you while retaining eligibility for Section 8 housing, you’ll need to adhere to the PHA guidelines. You may apply for the voucher together, just as you would with a roommate, or consider the “Shared Housing” option.

“Shared Housing”

Another option to explore is “Shared Housing.” This arrangement allows you and your “family” to coexist in a home with another “family” or single tenant, sharing common areas while each having a private room. The other “family” does not need to be a Section 8 participant, since separate leases have to be provided by the landlord.

In a Shared Housing situation, the landlord can also live on the premises if PHA approval has been granted. All standard rules apply; however, the landlord is not eligible for housing assistance. It’s important to note that if you are related by blood or marriage to the landlord, this option will not be available, and it can only be conducted in homes with more than one bedroom—so keep that in mind as you search for your next residence!

Can Someone Stay with You on Section 8 and for How Long?

Yes, you can have a guest stay with you, but you must first obtain approval from your landlord. Your visitor can remain for a period of up to 14 days. Should they wish to stay longer, it’s necessary to contact your PHA, inform them of the guest’s presence, and follow their specific guidelines, as regulations can vary by state.

Can I Transfer My Section 8 Voucher to Someone Else?

This question can be a bit complex as it doesn’t yield a straightforward yes or no answer. There are very limited situations in which a housing voucher may be transferred. For instance, a voucher can be assigned to another person if that individual is identified as your Co-Head of Household in your application, in which case they would then become the Head of Household.

Another circumstance that allows for a housing voucher transfer is if that person is already recognized as a household member on the voucher. For example, if the head of household passes away, the voucher can then be transferred to another qualifying member of the household who is legally capable of managing the lease and voucher.

While this option can be quite involved, it remains feasible. The most crucial step is to communicate with your Public Housing Authority office and report any changes to ensure you don’t jeopardize your Section 8 assistance.

If the individual you wish to transfer your voucher to does not meet the aforementioned criteria, the best course of action would be for them to apply for their own voucher.