The Section 8 program helps families pay for a nice, safe home or apartment. The government helps pay part of the rent so families can live in good neighborhoods.
In Palm Beach County, this program is managed by the Palm Beach County Housing Authority, also called PBCHA.
What is PBCHA?
PBCHA is short for Palm Beach County Housing Authority. This office helps people with less money find good places to live. They give families a voucher (a special paper) that helps pay for their rent each month.
PBCHA Contact Info:
📍 Address: 3432 W 45th Street, West Palm Beach, FL 33407
📞 Phone: (561) 684-2160
🌐 Website: www.pbchafl.org
Who Can Get Section 8 Help?
✅ You Must:
-
Have a low income. This means your family doesn’t make more money than the rules say you can.
-
Be a U.S. citizen or have special immigration papers.
-
Not have serious crimes on your record (like making drugs in a government house).
-
Live in Palm Beach County or want to move there.
What Papers Do You Need?
✅ You Should Have:
-
ID cards for adults (like driver’s licenses or passports).
-
Social Security cards for everyone in your family.
-
Birth certificates for kids.
-
Papers that show how much money you make. This could be pay stubs from a job, Social Security checks, or child support papers.
-
Papers that show how much money you have in the bank.
-
Old landlord info, if you rented before.
How Do You Apply?
Step 1: Watch for Openings
PBCHA’s waiting list for help is not always open. It opens every few years when they have space.
✅ Check www.pbchafl.org often to see when they open the list.
✅ Listen for news in local newspapers or community centers.
Step 2: Fill Out the Application
When the list is open:
✅ Go online to the PBCHA website.
✅ Fill out the form. It will ask for your name, address, family size, income, and where you live now.
✅ Only fill out one form per family. If you fill out too many, you can get disqualified!
Step 3: Wait for a Letter
PBCHA uses a lottery system, which means they pick names randomly — like pulling names out of a hat.
✅ If you get picked, they will send you a letter or an email.
✅ Keep your phone number and address updated so you don’t miss your chance.
Step 4: Meet with PBCHA
If you get picked:
✅ Bring all your papers — ID, Social Security cards, pay stubs, bank info.
✅ Meet with a caseworker (a PBCHA worker who helps you).
✅ They will check your information to make sure it is true.
Step 5: Get Your Voucher
✅ If you qualify, you will get your Section 8 voucher.
✅ This paper says how much money PBCHA will pay to help you with rent.
What Happens Next?
✅ You look for a home or apartment that accepts Section 8 vouchers.
✅ The home must pass a safety inspection called HQS, which stands for Housing Quality Standards.
✅ This means the house must be safe, clean, have working plumbing, electricity, locks, and no pests like bugs or rats.
Who Do You Call for Questions?
PBCHA:
📞 Call (561) 684-2160
🌐 Visit www.pbchafl.org
Other Local Housing Authorities:
-
West Palm Beach Housing Authority (WPBHA)
🌐 www.wpbha.org | 📞 (561) 655-8530 -
Delray Beach Housing Authority (DBHA)
🌐 www.dbha.org | 📞 (561) 272-6766 -
Pahokee Housing Authority
🌐 www.cityofpahokee.com/housing-authority | 📞 (561) 924-5565
Helpful Tips
✅ Always keep copies of your papers.
✅ Make sure your address and phone number are correct.
✅ Keep your appointments with the housing office.
✅ If you need help, ask your family, a friend, or a caseworker.
Remember!
Section 8 helps people pay for a safe, healthy home. It can take a while because many people need help, so be patient. Check your mail and email often and keep your information up to date.
If you need help understanding this, your property manager or Virtual Assistant can explain it again in simple words.
