Learn How Section 8 Housing Assistance Works in Wyoming

What Section 8 Housing Vouchers Are and How They Work in Wyoming

Section 8 is a federal housing program that provides rental vouchers to households with lower incomes. The program gets its name from Section 8 of the Housing Act of 1937. Instead of the government building housing, it gives money directly to eligible households, who then use these vouchers to rent from private landlords.

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In Wyoming, the program operates through Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in different counties and regions. When a household receives a Section 8 voucher, they can search for rental properties on the private market. The voucher covers a portion of the rent, and the household pays the remaining amount out of pocket. The amount of rent that the program covers depends on the local Fair Market Rent (FMR) for that area. Wyoming's Fair Market Rents vary significantly between rural areas and larger towns like Cheyenne and Laramie.

The program typically requires that households pay about 30 percent of their adjusted gross income toward rent. The voucher then covers the difference between what the household pays and the actual rent, up to the FMR limit. For example, if a household's income is $1,500 per month and the local FMR for a two-bedroom apartment is $950, the household would pay $450 and the voucher would cover $500. If the actual rent is higher than the FMR, the household must cover the difference.

Wyoming has several PHAs that manage Section 8 vouchers across different regions. These include authorities in Cheyenne, Casper, Laramie, Gillette, and other areas. Each PHA maintains its own waiting list and has its own policies, though all follow federal guidelines. The number of available vouchers varies by region, and most areas have waiting lists ranging from months to several years.

Practical takeaway: Section 8 vouchers work by bridging the gap between what a low-income household can afford to pay in rent and the actual cost of market-rate housing. Understanding that you pay roughly 30 percent of income and the voucher covers the rest helps explain how the program functions in practice.

Understanding Income Limits and Financial Requirements in Wyoming

To potentially participate in Section 8, a household's gross income must fall below certain thresholds. These limits are set based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for each region in Wyoming. Generally, income limits are set at 50 percent of the AMI for that area, though some households earning up to 80 percent of AMI may be considered in certain circumstances. These limits change annually.

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Wyoming has significant geographic variation. In Laramie County (which includes Cheyenne, the state capital), the 2024 income limits for a family of four are approximately $47,900 per year. In Campbell County (which includes Gillette), the limits are around $54,400 for a family of four. In smaller rural counties, limits may be lower. A single person's income limits are typically around 60-70 percent of the four-person family limit in the same area.

The program counts "adjusted gross income," which means it considers household income after certain deductions. The standard deduction is $480 per year for each dependent child and each elderly or disabled household member. There are also deductions for medical expenses and childcare costs that exceed certain thresholds. These deductions can significantly reduce the amount of income counted toward the limit.

Family size matters considerably. Wyoming defines a household broadly—it includes all related and unrelated people living together. If you have adult children, grandchildren, or other relatives living with you, they count as household members for income purposes. This affects both the income limit and the rent calculation. A household with more members may have a higher income limit but also may need to rent a larger (and potentially more expensive) unit.

Assets are not typically counted for Section 8 purposes in Wyoming, though some PHAs may have asset limits. Income from interest, dividends, or investments generally counts as household income. Employment income, Social Security, disability benefits, child support, and alimony all count toward the income total. Temporary assistance programs like TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) count as income.

Practical takeaway: Your household's income—compared to your area's limits, with allowable deductions subtracted—determines whether you may potentially participate. Because deductions exist for dependents and certain expenses, calculating your actual "adjusted income" requires detailed financial information. Contact your local PHA to understand how your specific situation would be assessed.

The Application Process and Waiting Lists in Wyoming

Each Public Housing Authority in Wyoming manages its own application process and waiting list. There is no single statewide application; you must contact the PHA that serves your county or region directly. The major PHAs serving Wyoming include the Cheyenne Housing Authority, Casper Housing Authority, Laramie Housing Authority, Gillette Housing Authority, and several others. If you live in an area without a local PHA, you may be served by a regional authority.

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The initial step is to contact your local PHA to request an application. Many PHAs now allow you to request applications online through their websites, though some still require phone or in-person contact. When contacting the PHA, you'll need to provide basic information about your household size, current address, and income. Some PHAs may conduct a brief phone screening to determine if you meet basic criteria before providing an application.

The application itself requests detailed household information: names and birthdates of all household members, proof of income sources, citizenship or eligible immigration status, and contact information. You'll need to provide documentation such as pay stubs, tax returns, Social Security statements, or letters from employers verifying income. If household members are elderly or disabled, documentation of that status is needed. The application asks for a valid form of identification and permission to conduct a background check.

Once you submit an application, the PHA reviews it to verify the information you provided. This verification process can take weeks. If the PHA needs additional documents, they will contact you. Wyoming PHAs typically process applications in order of receipt. Once approved, your household is added to the waiting list in the order the application was received, unless the PHA uses a lottery system or preference system for certain circumstances.

Waiting lists in Wyoming range widely. Some smaller rural PHAs may have waiting lists under 100 households with wait times of one to two years. The Cheyenne Housing Authority's waiting list has sometimes exceeded 1,000 households, with wait times of three to five years or more. Some PHAs periodically close their waiting lists when they become unmanageably large. When a voucher becomes available, the PHA contacts the next household on the list. Households typically have a specified time period (often 10-30 days) to accept the voucher or they forfeit their place.

Practical takeaway: Getting on a waiting list requires submitting an application with income and household documentation to your specific local PHA. Waiting times are long in many areas, so submitting an application as soon as possible is one of the few time-related factors you can control. Keep your contact information current with the PHA so they can reach you when a voucher is available.

The Voucher Amount and How Rent Payments Work

Once a household receives a Section 8 voucher, the PHA calculates the "voucher amount," which is the maximum amount the program will cover toward rent. This is based on the Fair Market Rent (FMR) for your area and bedroom size. The FMR is a monthly figure set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and adjusted annually. Wyoming's FMRs vary considerably by region and unit type.

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For example, in Laramie County in 2024, FMR for a one-bedroom apartment is approximately $850 per month, while a three-bedroom is approximately $1,100 per month. In Natrona County (Casper area), a one-bedroom is approximately $750 and a three-bedroom is approximately $950. In Campbell County (Gillette area), rates are similar or slightly higher. In rural counties with smaller populations, FMRs may be several hundred dollars lower. The specific unit size you need depends on household composition—generally, there must be at least one person per bedroom, with some flexibility for children.

Your household payment, called the "tenant portion," is calculated as the greater of either 30 percent of adjusted gross monthly income or a minimum amount set by the PHA (usually around $25