Everything You Need to Know About Section 8 Housing in Fort Myers

To qualify for Section 8 housing vouchers in Fort Myers, you’ll need to make less than 50% of the median income.
Written by Annette Maxon
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
background
To qualify for Section 8 housing in
Fort Myers
,
Florida
, your income must be 50% or less than the area’s median income. If you’re accepted, the program will pay 70% of your monthly rent; however, be prepared for extensive paperwork and long wait times. 
Though the program comes with huge benefits, it also comes with strict eligibility requirements, extensive processes, and incredibly long wait times—making the prospect of applying time-consuming, if not intimidating. 
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created this guide to walk you through the ins and outs of Section 8housingin Fort Myers, FL, including eligibility requirements, the application process, and using your voucher.
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What is Section 8 housing?

The Section 8 housing program has been around since the federal 1974 Housing and Community Development Act was signed into law. This program provides federal assistance for low-income, elderly, and disabled people looking to obtain safe and decent housing. 
Here are the nuts and bolts of how Section 8 works: 
  • Tenants must apply through their local housing authority and satisfy federal and local qualifications 
  • Participants will be issued either a housing choice voucher or a project-based voucher
  • Housing choice vouchers are the most flexible option and allow tenants to select any residence that meets the qualifications specified on the voucher 
  • Project-based vouchers are only eligible for specific properties and allow landlords to designate units as low-income residencies
  • The size and composition of your family will determine the number of bedrooms assigned to your Section 8 voucher
  • Section 8 participants in Fort Myers will not pay more than 30% of their income in rent. The government pays for the remaining 70% 

Section 8 obligations

There are three parties involved in the Section 8 program—the tenants, landlord, and the local housing authority. Each group has its own set of obligations, as outlined here:
Tenant
Landlord
Housing authority
Provide accurate and complete documentation
Screen tenants
Determine applicants’ eligibility and issue vouchers
Find suitable housing and complete all required paperwork before voucher expires
Comply with fair housing laws
Approve units, rental amounts, and leases
Pay rent promptly and attend all required appointments
Complete all necessary repairs and maintenance
Inspect subsidized units annually
Notify the housing authority of any changes in income or family composition
Provide housing authority with documentation of any notices to tenant, including eviction notices
Ensure that both tenants and landlords comply with program rules
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Key Takeaway The government will pay more than half of the monthly rent for Section 8 participants. However, be prepared for long wait times and strict requirements.

What are the requirements for Section 8 housing in Fort Myers?

The
Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers
runs the Section 8 program for all of Lee County. If you’re in the Fort Myers and Lee County area, your application will go through the Housing Authority’s office. 
Qualification for the Section 8 program corresponds to your income—in Fort Myers, your family income may not be more than 50% of the median income for Lee County or the Fort Myers metropolitan area.  Not sure how your income compares to the median in your area? The table below outlines the maximum income eligibility for a given family size:
Family size
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Low income
$40,250
$46,000
$51,750
$57,500
$62,100
$66,700
$71,300
$75,900
Very low income
$25,200
$28,800
$32,400
$35,950
$38,850
$41,750
$44,600
$47,500
Extremely low income
$15,100
$17,420
$21,960
$26,500
$31,040
$35,580
$40,120
$44,660

How to apply for Section 8 housing in Fort Myers

The first step to getting a Section 8 housing voucher is to apply online through the
Housing Authority's application portal
. In this application, you’ll be asked to provide details on your family’s income, assets, and family composition
The info provided in your application will be cross-checked with other local agencies, your employers, and banks. 
Once this online application is submitted, the Housing Authority will decide whether you are eligible for the Section 8 program. If you are, then you will be placed on a waiting list. Long lists are common across the nation because of the massive volume of people wanting federally-subsidized housing. 
Unless you are in immediate need (i.e., currently homeless), it will likely take one to three years (in some rare cases, even five) to get a voucher. 
When you make it to the top of the waitlist, the Housing Authority will reach out to you with a meeting time to confirm your eligibility. This appointment confirmation letter will be sent to you in the mail and will outline the required documents to bring to your appointment
In general, be prepared to bring the following:
  • Proof of your total household income
  • Birth certificates for all members of your household
  • Social Security Cards for all members of your household
  • Photo IDs or a valid Driver’s License for household members 18 and older
If your application meets the eligibility requirements, you will be issued a Section 8 housing voucher at your appointment

How to find Section 8 housing in Las Vegas

It’s recommended that you start looking for housing as soon as you receive your voucher. Generally, you have 60 days (120 days if you are elderly or disabled) to find housing and submit it for approval. When this time allotment is up, your voucher will expire. 
To start your search,
AffordableHousing.com
and
HUD’s interactive map
are reliable sources to use when searching for housing in your area.
Once you’ve found a unit that you like, you’ll need to submit a Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) to the Housing Authority. This will be reviewed and, if it meets the requirements stated on your voucher, the residence will be scheduled for an inspection
Know that you cannot be at the inspection appointment, but will need to contact your prospective landlord afterward to find out whether the unit was approved. 
If the unit does not pass the initial inspection, the landlord will have ten business days to make any improvements or repairs and show the unit at a follow-up appointment.
After the RFTA and inspection have been approved, you can move forward with signing the lease and paying your first month of rent.

How to save money on car and renters insurance in Fort Myers

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FAQs

In Fort Myers, a Section 8 voucher will pay up to 70% of your monthly rent. However, your family’s total income and composition (i.e., number of household members, any disabilities or medical conditions) determine the exact dollar amount you’re given.
In general, a 2-bedroom voucher will range from $1,108 to $1,354 in Fort Myers. This range varies based on changing fair market rents and your family’s income and composition.
Florida does not have any laws requiring landlords to accept Section 8. Most landlords choose to participate in Section 8 by contacting the Housing Authority and having their units listed in the Housing Authority’s systems. 
Even so, it is illegal to
deny housing based on
race, national origin, sex, disability, familial status, or religion in Florida. If any of these factors influenced your decision to deny a Section 8 participant, you run the risk of getting charged for discriminatory practices.
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