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Section 8 Housing - Is now Opened

Rental Assistance for Qualifying Low Income Families Available April 24, 2023

Beginning Monday April 24, 2023 low income families and individuals in Topeka may submit pre-applications for rental housing assistance from the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program of the Topeka Housing Authority by going online to tha.gov and click the apply button at the top of the page.  A family of four with an annual income below $41,350 may qualify for rental assistance.  For a single person living alone the annual income limit is $28,950. Online pre-applications will be accepted until further notice.

To apply you will need to do so online by going to tha.gov.  If you need assistance applying online applicants may also come in person at 2010 SE California, Topeka KS 66607.  Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except holidays.

The Topeka Housing Authority uses an admission preference for families and individuals that are working, or elderly, or disabled and are a resident in Shawnee County.  This means rental assistance is first made available to Topeka families whose head of household, spouse or sole member is employed, and wages are received on a regular basis, or is elderly, 62 years or older, or is a person with a disability.

If a family wishes to stay in their current rental home or apartment the dwelling must meet Uniform Physical Condition Standards (UPCS-V), have reasonable rent, and the landlord must be willing to enter into a contract with the Section 8 program.  Interested landlords should contact the Topeka Housing Authority for more information at 785-357-8842.

To assure that families on the waiting list for Section 8 rental assistance are served within a reasonable period of time, the Topeka Housing Authority may use a random selection process to determine in what order they will be served.  When a sufficient number of vouchers are available, families will be served on a first-come-first-served basis.  Families claiming to qualify for an admission preference will be invited to submit a complete application when their names are drawn from the waiting list.

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program provides monthly rent assistance to low income families with funds provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  Topeka's Section 8 Housing Choice Rental Assistance Program currently serves more than 1,300 Topeka families housed by more than 500 private sector landlords.

No family or individual is denied the equal opportunity to apply for or receive program assistance on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, handicap or disability. 

The Section 8 program helps low and moderate income families rent an apartment or house from a private sector landlord.  There are approximately 450 landlords participating in the program.

Program participants pay 30 to 40 percent of their income for rent and utilities. For example, if your monthly income is $1,000 then you will pay around $300 to $400 a month for rent and utilities. If your monthly income is $500, then you will pay around $150 to $200. The exact amount depends on your income, the rent for the unit + the cost of utilities.