that you think Step-by-Step Instructions to Apply for Section 8

Step 1: Wait for the Open Enrollment Period

Open Enrollment is the designated time when applications are accepted for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. Due to high demand, applications are only accepted during the Open Enrollment periods. You may need to wait several months to a year, depending on availability. Contact RCHA at 304-636-6495 for current wait times and enrollment dates.

If you cannot wait, you might be able to apply for a Project-Based Housing Assistance Voucher that can be used  in buildings that have specific requirements. There is no Open Enrollment Period or waiting list for a Project-Based Housing Assistance Voucher and you can apply at any time. You can pick up an application packet at the RCHA office.

Step 2: Apply for Assistance

Once the open enrollment period is announced, contact RCHA by phone or in person for an application and to schedule an interview.

• Contact: Angie White, Section 8 Manager
• Location: RCHA, 2280 Randolph Avenue, Elkins, WV 26241
• Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM
• Phone: 304-636-6495 ext. 121

On the application you will need to provide information about your income, family size, and any special circumstances that you feel may show your need for assistance.

Documents You Will Need to Provide:

• Birth certificates for everyone in your household.
• Social Security cards for everyone in your household.
• Pay stubs or proof of income for everyone in your household.
• Verification of household composition: Information about who lives in your home and their ages.
• For college students:
  • Most recent award letter with financial aid breakdown
  • Two most recent monthly bank statements

Step 3: Wait for a Response

After the interview, RCHA will run background checks on all adult household members and conduct other verification before approving your application. You’ll get a letter or call when you are approved for assistance.

Once you’re approved, you will be invited to a briefing meeting where you will receive your voucher. The amount of the voucher and the amount you will be required to pay in rent will be based on a formula provided by HUD. This formula takes into account the unit size and the cost of utilities.

Step 4: Complete the Rules and Process Class

All adults living within the household will be required to complete a class that covers program rules and the process for finding an eligible housing unit.

Step 5: Find a Place to Live

Your Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher can be used to rent an apartment, a single-family home, a mobile home, or other housing unit in Randolph, Barbour, Tucker, Lewis, Upshur, or Pendleton County that meets program requirements. Here’s what to do:

• Check Your Current Home: Contact our Occupancy Specialist, Jess Wanless, to see if your current home qualifies. If it doesn’t, she can provide a list of approved landlords.
• Search for Housing: Look for eligible homes on the open market in Randolph, Barbour, Tucker, Lewis, Upshur, or Pendleton County—housing is not limited to government-subsidized properties. You can also use tools like Affordable Housing Online or explore pre-approved subsidized properties in RCHA’s service area.
• Confirm with the Landlord: Make sure the landlord agrees to accept Section 8 vouchers.

To qualify, the home must meet these program requirements:

• Landlord Agreement: The landlord must accept Section 8 vouchers.
• Inspection: The unit must pass a safety and cleanliness inspection.
• Rent Limits: The rent must fall within the Payment Standards set by RCHA, based on the number of bedrooms and the county where the unity is located.

Below are the current Payment Standards, effective November 1, 2024

Step 6: Submit a Request for Tenancy Approval

Once you’ve found a home:

• Inform the landlord that you’d like to rent using your voucher.
• Work with the landlord and the housing authority to complete a form called the Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA).
• Submit the completed RFTA form to the Section 8 Department at RCHA.

Step 7: Home Inspection

Once the RFTA is submitted, RCHA’s Housing Inspector, Laura Chenoweth, will schedule an inspection of the property to ensure it meets program standards. The inspection checks for:

• Working plumbing, heating, and electrical systems.
• No pests or safety hazards.
• General cleanliness and livability.

If the home doesn’t pass, the inspector will provide to you and the landlord a list of required repairs. A follow-up inspection will be scheduled to confirm the repairs have been complete.

Step 8: Move In!

Once the home passes inspection and the landlord agrees to the program rules: 

• Sign the lease with your landlord.
• Provide a copy of the signed lease to RCHA.
• Move into your new home and start using your voucher!