Section 8/HUD

Section 8/HUD

Section 8/HUD

Read More about CAS Referrals

CAS REFERRALS

To start the process for a CAS (Coordinated Access System) referral in Dallas for housing and homelessness services, individuals should follow these steps:

  1. Contact a CAS Access Point: Reach out to a designated access point, such as a homeless shelter, outreach team, or service provider like The Stew Pot (214-746-2785) or Austin Street Center (214-428-4242). Common entry points include:
    • Shelters: Austin Street Center (1717 Jeffries St, Dallas, TX 75226) or The Bridge (1818 Corsicana St, Dallas, TX 75201).
    • Outreach Teams: Metro Relief (partnered with The Stew Pot) or Housing Crisis Center’s street outreach.
    • Hotlines: Call the Dallas Homeless Services Hotline at 1-888-411-6802 for guidance.
  2. Complete a Coordinated Entry Assessment: At an access point, individuals undergo a standardized assessment (often using the VI-SPDAT tool) to evaluate their housing needs, vulnerability, and eligibility for programs like Rapid Rehousing or Permanent Supportive Housing. This requires providing personal information and details about their homelessness situation.
  3. Work with a Case Manager or Navigator: After the assessment, a case manager or housing navigator will prioritize the individual based on need and match them to appropriate services or housing programs. Referrals are made to organizations like The Stew Pot or Austin Street Center, depending on availability and eligibility.
  4. Provide Documentation: Be prepared to provide identification (if available) and any relevant documents. If ID is missing, many access points can assist with restoration.
  5. Follow Up: Stay in contact with the assigned case manager, as the referral process may involve waiting lists or additional steps to secure housing or services.

Tips:

  • Visit during business hours (e.g., Austin Street Center intake: Mon–Fri, 11 AM–4 PM) or call to confirm access point hours.
  • No direct self-referrals are accepted for most housing programs; you must go through a CAS access point.
  • If unsheltered, connect with street outreach teams who can initiate the process on-site.

For immediate help finding an access point, call The Stew Pot (214-746-2785) or Austin Street Center (214-428-4242), or visit www.housingforward.org for more information on Dallas’s Coordinated Entry System.

Section 8

Section 8 is a federal housing assistance program, officially known as the Housing Choice Voucher Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It provides rental subsidies to low-income individuals, families, seniors, and people with disabilities to help them afford safe and decent housing in the private market. In the Metrocrest area (Addison, Carrollton, Coppell, Farmers Branch, and parts of Dallas in Denton County), Section 8 is managed by local public housing agencies (PHAs) like the Dallas Housing Authority (DHA) and Denton County Housing Authority.
Key Features of Section 8

  • Purpose: Enables eligible households to pay affordable rent, typically 30–40% of their adjusted monthly income, with the voucher covering the remainder up to a market-based limit.
  • Eligibility:
    • Income-based: Household income must generally be at or below 50% of the area median income (AMI) for the region (e.g., Dallas or Denton County).
    • Priority given to extremely low-income households (30% or less of AMI).
    • Other factors: Family size, citizenship status, and background checks (e.g., no recent evictions or certain criminal history).
  • Housing Type: Participants can rent any qualifying private-market housing (apartments, townhomes, or single-family homes) that meets HUD’s quality standards and rent limits, as long as the landlord accepts vouchers.
  • Process:
    1. Apply through a local PHA (e.g., DHA at 214-266-4600 or Denton County Housing Authority at 940-565-2011).
    2. Join a waitlist, which can be long due to high demand (often years).
    3. Once approved, receive a voucher and find a qualifying unit.
    4. PHA inspects the unit and signs a contract with the landlord.
  • Duration: Long-term assistance, as long as the participant remains eligible and complies with program rules (e.g., annual income recertification, reporting changes).

Section 8 in the Metrocrest Area

  • Dallas Housing Authority (DHA):
    • Location: 3939 N Hampton Rd, Dallas, TX 75212
    • Email: info@dhantx.com
    • Details: Manages Section 8 vouchers for Dallas County, including the Metrocrest area. Offers Housing Choice Vouchers and Project-Based Vouchers (tied to specific properties). Waitlists may be closed periodically due to high demand; check www.dhantx.com for updates.
  • Denton County Housing Authority:
    • Location: 1225 Wilson St, Denton, TX 76205.
    • Phone #: 940-383-1504
    • Email: s8@dentonhousingauthority.com
    • Details: Serves Denton County, including parts of the Metrocrest area. Provides vouchers for low-income residents. Contact for waitlist status.

Affordable Housing.com

Affordable Housing | What is Section 8

AffordableHousing.com is an online platform designed to connect low-income renters, including those with Section 8 vouchers, to affordable housing options across the United States. It serves as a free property listing service for landlords and a resource for tenants seeking apartments, condos, houses, and townhomes that meet affordability criteria, including those accepting Section 8. In the Metrocrest area, it can help residents find rentals compatible with Section 8 or other low-income housing programs.

The website gives you access to Section 8 waiting lists and one click-applications. Click here to create an account to search for open Waiting Lists and apply for Section 8.