Learn About Indiana Housing Choice Vouchers

What Indiana Housing Choice Vouchers Are and How They Work

The Housing Choice Voucher program, often called Section 8, is a federal housing program administered locally in Indiana. This program provides rental assistance to households with low and very low incomes. Instead of giving money directly to tenants, the program provides vouchers that help pay rent to landlords who agree to participate.

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Here's how the basic structure works: A participating family receives a voucher that represents the maximum amount of rental assistance the program will pay. The family then searches for an apartment or house from a willing landlord. Once a suitable unit is found, the landlord must agree to rent to the family and accept the voucher as part of the payment. The local Public Housing Authority (PHA) pays the landlord directly for the voucher portion of the rent, while the family pays the remaining balance out of their own income.

Indiana has multiple housing authorities that administer these vouchers in different regions. The Indianapolis Housing Authority serves Marion County and surrounding areas. Other authorities serve regions like Allen County (Fort Wayne), Lake County (Gary and Hammond), and Marion County. Each authority manages its own waiting lists and has different policies, though all must follow federal regulations.

The program currently serves thousands of Indiana families. As of recent reports, approximately 15,000 vouchers are in use across the state's various housing authorities. These vouchers help families afford housing that might otherwise be beyond their financial reach. Families typically pay 30 percent of their adjusted gross monthly income toward rent, and the voucher covers the remainder up to the voucher amount set by the local PHA.

Practical takeaway: Understanding that housing vouchers work through a partnership between tenants, landlords, and the housing authority helps you grasp why all three parties must cooperate for the program to work. The voucher itself is not cash—it's a commitment from the government to pay part of your rent directly to your landlord.

Income Limits and Financial Requirements for Indiana Housing Choice Vouchers

To participate in the Housing Choice Voucher program in Indiana, a household's income must fall below certain limits set by the federal government. These limits are based on the area median income (AMI) for your county and are adjusted annually. Very low-income households earn at or below 50 percent of the area median income, and low-income households earn between 50 and 80 percent of the area median income.

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In Indianapolis, for example, the income limit for a family of four was around $47,000 annually in 2024, though this figure changes each year. In other Indiana cities, limits vary based on local housing market conditions. Fort Wayne has different limits than Indianapolis, and rural areas typically have lower income limits than urban centers. Each housing authority publishes its current income limits, and these are the numbers that actually matter for your specific location.

Income is calculated in specific ways for the program. The PHA counts most types of household income, including wages, social security benefits, disability payments, child support, and unemployment benefits. However, some income is excluded from the calculation. Student financial aid, certain veteran benefits, and money set aside for a child's education in a 529 plan do not count toward income limits. Additionally, many families receive an income deduction of $480 annually, and some households may qualify for deductions related to medical expenses or childcare costs.

The financial requirement also includes an initial family contribution toward the voucher's cost. When first receiving a voucher, families must typically pay a deposit that covers their portion of the monthly rent. This amount varies based on the family's income and the local rent standards. After initially setting up the voucher, families continue paying their share monthly, which is 30 percent of adjusted income. If a family's income increases significantly, their rent payment increases as well, though there are protections to prevent sudden large increases.

Practical takeaway: Check your local housing authority's current income limits to determine whether your household's income falls within the program range. Remember that income is calculated in a specific way by the PHA, so your gross income might be higher than your countable income after deductions and exclusions are applied.

How to Request Information About Waiting Lists and Application Processes

Because housing vouchers are in high demand across Indiana, most housing authorities maintain waiting lists. These lists can be quite long in some areas—Indianapolis Housing Authority's waiting list has thousands of households. Some authorities close their waiting lists periodically when they become unmanageable, then reopen them during specific windows. Others maintain open lists year-round but process requests very slowly due to the volume.

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Each housing authority manages its own process for how households can learn about waiting list status and procedures. Families interested in learning about these programs should contact their local PHA directly. In Indianapolis, this means contacting the Indianapolis Housing Authority. In Fort Wayne, contact the Housing Authority of Allen County. Lake County residents should reach out to their regional housing authority. The specific contact methods—whether by phone, mail, or in-person visit—vary by authority.

When you contact a housing authority, you can ask about current waiting list status, whether they're accepting new requests, and what documents you'll need to prepare if they are. Different authorities may request different information. Generally, housing authorities want to know the size of your household, whether anyone has disabilities requiring accommodations, and whether you prefer a specific area of town. Some authorities require households to attend an orientation meeting before their request is officially recorded.

Once on a waiting list, waiting times vary dramatically. In rural areas with fewer applicants, families might be contacted within months. In major cities like Indianapolis, families commonly wait several years. Some authorities use preferences in their selection process—for example, giving priority to homeless families or those with urgent housing needs. Understanding your local authority's policies can help you know what to expect and what information about your situation might be relevant to share.

Practical takeaway: Contact your local housing authority directly to learn about waiting lists in your specific area. Don't rely on general information, since each authority operates independently. Ask about current wait times and whether the list is currently open, closed, or accepting requests with specific preferences.

Finding Landlords and Apartments That Accept Housing Vouchers

One of the biggest challenges for families with housing vouchers is finding landlords who will accept them. Some property owners hesitate to participate in the program due to paperwork requirements, inspection standards, or previous experiences. However, many landlords across Indiana do participate and actively rent to voucher-holding families. Finding these landlords takes effort but is essential for actually using your voucher.

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The local housing authority maintains a list of landlords who have previously agreed to rent to voucher holders. This is often called a "landlord directory" or "list of participating properties." Asking your PHA for this list is a starting point. The list shows which properties in your area might be options, though some may not have current vacancies. Properties in this directory have already agreed to follow program rules, which can make the process smoother.

Beyond the official list, many families find apartments through standard rental search methods. Websites like Craigslist, Zillow, Facebook Marketplace, and local rental company websites show available properties. When contacting landlords about an apartment, families should mention early that they have a housing voucher. Some landlords immediately decline, but others express interest and agree to work with the program. It's common to contact many landlords before finding one willing to accept a voucher.

The fair housing laws protect families with vouchers from discrimination. Landlords cannot legally refuse to rent based solely on the fact that a tenant has a voucher. However, landlords can still decline if they have legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons—such as the unit not meeting program standards, credit issues unrelated to voucher status, or previous evictions on your record. Understanding the difference between legal and illegal refusals can help families know when to push back and when to move to the next opportunity.

Once a landlord agrees in principle, the unit must pass a Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection performed by the PHA. The inspection ensures the unit is safe, sanitary, and meets federal housing standards. Units must have working plumbing, adequate heat, working electrical systems, and proper bedroom sizes. If a unit fails inspection, the landlord can make repairs and request a re-inspection. Many landlords are familiar with these requirements and already maintain properties that pass.

Practical takeaway: Start your apartment search by asking your housing authority for their list of known participating landlords. When contacting unlisted landlords independently, mention your voucher status early in the conversation. Be prepared to work with the HQ