The Oklahoma Guide to Section 8 Housing

The American dream of living in a safe, affordable home is difficult to attain for many low-income families in Oklahoma. To help make their dreams a reality, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development administers a federal program to provide help with rent to Oklahomans in need.

It is free to apply for housing assistance, but understanding how to go about it can be difficult. This guide contains everything you need to know to get started with Section 8 in Oklahoma.

What Is Section 8 Housing in Oklahoma?

The Housing Choice Voucher Program, commonly known as Section 8, is the United States' premier housing assistance initiative. Qualified beneficiaries receive vouchers, enabling them to secure rental accommodations from participating private property owners.

Individuals holding vouchers contribute a percentage of their own money toward rent and utilities, with the voucher bridging the remaining amount. According to the Oklahoma Policy Institute, Section 8 helps 5 million people in the U.S. to pay their rent each month.

What Is the Most Section 8 Will Pay in Oklahoma?

The amount you can receive for Section 8 in Oklahoma depends on your income and the price of renting a modest apartment in the area where you live. For example, the Oklahoma City Public Housing Authority requires participants to pay the greater of the following values:

• 30% of monthly adjusted income
• 10% of monthly unadjusted gross income
•  A monthly payment of $50

However, different local housing authorities calculate client rent obligations in slightly different ways and also make allowances for utility payments. The average rent in Oklahoma is $1,380 but it varies depending on the type of rental unit and the part of the state where you live.

 {{SC-FMR}}

What Are the Oklahoma Section 8 Housing Requirements?

The basic requirement for eligibility is to earn below a certain amount of money based on the size of your family. Section 8 in Oklahoma may be right for you if you also meet the following requirements:

• Are at least 18 years old or a legally emancipated youth
• Earn an income below established limits in your area
• Are not a lifetime registered sex offender or share a home with one
• Have not committed any drug or violent crimes in the past 3 years
• Do not owe money to any housing authority

What Are the Income Limits for Housing Assistance Programs in Oklahoma?

Income limits for housing assistance programs in Oklahoma vary depending on the size of the household. Generally, HUD sets these limits based on an area's median income, and most local housing authorities consider anyone making 70% or less of this amount to be eligible.

The median household income across Oklahoma is $61,364, but it is less in many areas. Therefore, a family with an adjusted income of approximately $43,000 or less may be eligible. Higher-income households may still qualify, depending on the number of people in the family and how many are children, elderly, or disabled.

 {{SC-IL}}

How Long Does it Take To Get Approved for Section 8 in Oklahoma?

Approval times are variable. Once your pre-application reaches the top of the waiting list, an official from the public housing authority will contact you for an in-person interview. If officials approve your application at the interview, they will take approximately four to six weeks to process it.

Once you receive a voucher, you have 60 days to find an apartment and a landlord who is willing to accept it. It then takes another two weeks for the housing authority to inspect the apartment and make sure it meets certain requirements.  

How To Qualify for Section 8 in Oklahoma

If your family is low-income and you meet the age, citizenship, and criminal history requirements, then you are most likely eligible for the program. To improve your chances of qualifying, consider doing the following things: 

• Do not make any changes to your income
• Ask your landlord if he or she would provide a good reference for you
• Research where your local public housing authority is and ask when they accept applications
• Find or obtain social security cards and proof of disabilities for all family members

If you have concerns that your income is above the program limits, do not report any false information. Doing so will disqualify you from the program and you may face legal action.

How To Apply for Section 8 Housing in Oklahoma

Each local housing authority has a preferred way to receive applications for Section 8 in Oklahoma. For example, the Oklahoma City Public Housing Authority requires applicants to create an online account with a username and password. Their system also requires users to have a valid email address. Other housing authorities may accept paper applications by mail or in person.

On the application, you will need to provide the names, birth dates, social security numbers, and annual incomes of all people living in your house. You do not need official documents such as birth certificates and social security cards until after you have applied and officials call you to come in for an interview.

Can I Transfer my Section 8 Voucher to Oklahoma?

HUD allows families who receive vouchers to move anywhere in the United States, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands where a housing agency administers the Section 8 program. However, being able to do so depends on whether there is availability in the place where you want to move.

If you want to transfer your voucher to Oklahoma, contact the housing authority in the area where you want to live for a portability packet and further instructions. If officials approve your request, you must give your current landlord notice that you are leaving.

Can I Buy a House With a Section 8 Voucher in Oklahoma?

If you have always dreamed of owning your own home, applying for Section 8 in Oklahoma could be the first step toward that goal. Many housing authorities in Oklahoma participate in a homeownership program that helps families to purchase a house, rather than continue to pay rent. 

Participants must be current voucher recipients with a minimum household income of $14,500 per year. Disabled participants must earn at least $8,652 per year.

What Are the Public Housing Authorities in Oklahoma?

{{SC-PHA-TABLE}}

Oklahoma has 105 public housing authorities to administer Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher programs across the state. Each authority sets income limits and fair market rent values based on the region’s economic conditions. Be sure to apply to the correct housing authority because your information will not transfer to a different jurisdiction.

Oklahoma Waiting List for Section 8 Housing

Because so many families need safe and affordable housing, most areas maintain a list of applicants waiting for approval for Section 8 in Oklahoma. Your application will move closer to the top of the list when more vouchers become available from the federal government or families leave the program.

The housing authority will contact you when your application reaches the top of the list. Be sure to stay in touch with the housing authority so that they have your current information. If they cannot reach you, they will remove your name and you will have to reapply.

Is Emergency Housing Assistance Available in Oklahoma?

{{SC-EA-TABLE}}

The State of Oklahoma does not give emergency housing directly to residents. However, it provides funds to charitable organizations through Emergency Solutions Grants. Recipients of these grants include organizations such as the Salvation Army, Community Action Agencies, and other homeless aid programs. If you are homeless or at risk of being homeless, you can dial 211 on your phone to speak to someone about resources in your area.

Make the Most of Section 8 in Oklahoma

By using the information in this guide, you will be one step closer to applying for Section 8 in Oklahoma, claiming your place on a waiting list, and moving your family into a safe and affordable home. Check back often with HudHousingNetwork to learn the latest news, keep up with changing regulations, and learn which waiting lists are open.