The Taylor Housing Commission is opening up the wait list for its housing choice voucher program for 12 days this month.
Starting Dec. 20, the commission will accept pre-applications for a potential spot on its waiting list for the popular program meant to help low-income families, the elderly, veterans and people with disabilities afford housing.
The commission expects thousands of interested applicants, but will randomly select up to 400 names to create its new wait list, according to Taylor Housing Commission Executive Director John Carter. Getting on that list isn’t a guarantee of getting subsidized housing, either; it’s more of a chance to participate in the program and that all depends on several factors, such as eligibility and finding a suitable unit. The federal housing choice voucher program, formerly known as Section 8, can ease rent costs to just 30% of a person’s income, however vouchers are limited and wait lists are typically lengthy as well.
Here is what else to know:
When will the waiting list open?
The wait list will be open from Dec. 20 through Dec. 31, according to a notice from the Taylor Housing Commission. The last time it opened was in 2023, when the commission accepted thousands of pre-applications before narrowing the pool down to 300 names through a random draw, Carter said in an email.
Who qualifies?
Applicants do not need to be residents of Taylor to apply. Income eligibility is set by the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). For more detailed information, go tohttps://bit.ly/HCVprogram.
Where can households apply?
To apply, go to www.taylorhousing.org when the application window opens.
What happens next?
While the waitlist remains open, the commission will accept pre-applications and then randomly select 300 or 400 names for a waiting list, Carter said. That random drawing is slated to take place in January. Those at the top of the waiting list will be contacted via mail and the remainder will get notice as vouchers become available, he said. Those added onto the list can see their waitlist status in February by going online at www.taylorhousing.org. The commission will not take phone calls about applications.
“We expect that 400 applicants will be offered an opportunity to participate. Some percentage of them will be found eligible and gain assistance with housing, but some or − maybe even many of them − will not follow through, and will lose the opportunity, or will not find a unit in a timely manner. It is hard to predict what percentage will be successful,” Carter said in an email.