Free Guide to Section 8 Housing in Baltimore

Understanding Section 8 Housing in Baltimore

Section 8 is a federal housing program that helps lower-income people pay rent. The program gets its name from Section 8 of the Housing Act of 1937. In Baltimore, the Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC) manages this program for residents of the city.

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Here's how Section 8 works in basic terms: The government pays a portion of your rent directly to your landlord. You pay the remaining portion from your own income. This means your monthly rent payment is typically limited to a percentage of what you earn. For example, if you make $2,000 per month and your rent share is 30 percent, you would pay $600 per month while the program covers the rest (assuming your unit costs more than that).

The program serves people and families across different situations. Singles, families with children, seniors, and people with disabilities may all participate. As of 2023, Baltimore had approximately 11,000 households receiving Section 8 vouchers, according to HABC data. This represents a significant portion of the city's affordable housing resources.

Section 8 differs from public housing. Public housing means the government owns the building where you live. With Section 8, you rent from a private landlord, but the subsidy follows you. This gives you more freedom to choose where you want to live within Baltimore (and sometimes outside the city, depending on the landlord's participation in the program).

Understanding the basic structure of Section 8 helps you know what information to look for. The program has specific rules about income limits, rent amounts, and how long you can stay in housing. Learning these details is the first step toward understanding whether this program might be relevant to your housing situation.

Takeaway: Section 8 is a federal rental subsidy program managed locally by the Housing Authority of Baltimore City. The government pays part of your rent to a private landlord, you pay the rest, and your portion is based on your income.

Income Limits and Program Requirements

Section 8 in Baltimore has income limits that change each year. These limits determine who may participate based on household size and earnings. The limits are set at percentages of the area median income (AMI) for the Baltimore region.

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For 2024, the income limits for initial consideration in Baltimore are generally around 50 percent of the area median income. For a single person, this was approximately $37,350 per year. For a family of four, the limit was around $53,350 per year. These numbers shift annually based on federal calculations of local income levels.

Income is counted differently depending on the source. Wages and salaries count as income. So do Social Security payments, disability benefits, unemployment benefits, and child support received. Some income sources do not count or count partially—for example, student financial aid for living expenses and certain types of assistance may have special rules.

Beyond income, Section 8 has other requirements. You must be a U.S. citizen or qualified immigrant. Background checks occur, and certain criminal histories or eviction records may prevent you from participating. The Housing Authority reviews these factors case by case. Past involvement with housing programs also matters—if you were evicted from public housing or Section 8 for lease violations, this affects your current situation.

Your household composition matters too. The program counts all people living in your unit as part of your household for income purposes. If household members have income, that counts toward your total. The program also has rules about who can live with you once you have a voucher.

The waiting list is an important part of the requirement process. Baltimore's Section 8 waiting list has typically been closed to new registrations in recent years due to high demand. When it opens, applications are accepted for a limited time. This is why staying informed about when registration periods occur matters.

Takeaway: Section 8 requires household income below a set limit (around 50 percent of area median income), U.S. citizenship or qualified immigration status, and passing background checks. Income limits change yearly, and demand often exceeds available vouchers in Baltimore.

How to Learn More About Getting on the Waiting List

The Housing Authority of Baltimore City is the official source for Section 8 information in Baltimore. Their address is 417 East Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD 21202. You can contact them by phone at (410) 396-5000 during business hours, Monday through Friday.

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The waiting list status changes regularly. Sometimes it is open, meaning new people can register. Other times it is closed because thousands of names are already waiting. As of recent years, the waiting list has been closed more often than open due to the large number of people seeking assistance.

When the waiting list opens, there is typically a registration window of several weeks. You can register in person at the HABC office or, when available, online through their website. You will need to provide information about your household, income, and circumstances. Basic documents you may need include proof of income (pay stubs or benefit statements), proof of citizenship or immigration status, and identification.

During registration, you choose your bedroom size preference—one bedroom, two bedrooms, three bedrooms, and so on. The number of bedrooms allowed is based on your household size. A single person typically qualifies for a one-bedroom unit. A family of four might qualify for a two or three-bedroom unit depending on program standards.

After you register, you are added to the waiting list in the order applications were received. The wait time varies greatly. In Baltimore, some people wait months while others wait several years. The Housing Authority calls people from the list as vouchers become available.

You can also visit the HABC website at www.habc.org for current information about waiting list status, required documents, and office hours. Community organizations in Baltimore, such as the Community Action Agency or local nonprofits focused on housing, may also have updated information about registration periods.

Takeaway: Contact the Housing Authority of Baltimore City directly at (410) 396-5000 or visit 417 East Fayette Street to learn about current waiting list status. Register in person or online when the waiting list opens, which occurs irregularly due to high demand.

Using Your Voucher to Find an Apartment

Once you receive a Section 8 voucher, you have a set amount of time—usually 60 days—to locate an apartment. This is called the lease-up period. During this time, you search for a rental unit that meets program standards and that a landlord agrees to rent to you.

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Not all apartments in Baltimore accept Section 8 vouchers. Some landlords choose not to participate in the program. However, many do. You can search for Section 8-friendly apartments through online listings, word of mouth, and by calling landlords directly to ask if they accept vouchers. Websites like Craigslist, Zillow, and Apartments.com sometimes have listings noted as Section 8-friendly, though you should always confirm directly with the landlord.

The unit must meet Housing Quality Standards (HQS). These are federal standards ensuring the apartment is safe and livable. The unit must have working heat, electricity, and water. Doors and windows must lock. There cannot be lead paint hazards (a major concern in older Baltimore buildings). The unit cannot have mold, pest infestations, or structural damage. The Housing Authority sends an inspector to verify the unit meets these standards before you move in.

Rent limits exist under Section 8. The program sets a payment standard—the maximum amount the program will cover for a unit of a given size. In Baltimore, payment standards vary by bedroom size. As of 2024, a one-bedroom payment standard was approximately $1,180 per month, while a three-bedroom was approximately $1,500 per month. These numbers change yearly. If the landlord's rent exceeds the payment standard, you pay the difference. Many landlords charge the standard or less.

Your portion of the rent depends on your income. The program typically limits your payment to 30 percent of your household income. If your income increases, your portion may increase. If it decreases, your portion may decrease. Every year, you report your income to the Housing Authority, and your rent portion is recalculated.

Once you find a unit and the landlord agrees to rent to you, the Housing Authority inspects it. You sign a lease. The program issues a check to the landlord for