What Arizona housing vouchers cover and how they work

In Arizona, a housing voucher (also called a Section 8 voucher) is a document that lets you rent from a private landlord while the state or federal government pays part of your rent directly to them. You pay the difference between what the voucher covers and what the landlord charges. The voucher is not money in your hand — it is a commitment from the housing authority to the landlord.

Arizona has two main housing authorities that issue vouchers: the Housing Authority of the City of Phoenix and the Housing Authority of Maricopa County (which covers most of the rest of the state outside Phoenix). Each runs its own waiting list and has its own rules about how much of your rent they will cover and what landlords must accept.

The amount the voucher covers depends on the size of your household, the neighborhood where you want to live, and the authority's payment standard for that area. You are responsible for any rent above what the voucher pays. Most vouchers require you to pay 30 percent of your household income toward rent, whichever is lower — your share or the difference between the voucher amount and the landlord's asking price.

Key Takeaways

  • Arizona's two main housing authorities are Phoenix Housing Authority and Maricopa County Housing Authority, and each maintains a separate waiting list.
  • You must find a landlord willing to accept the voucher before the housing authority will issue it, and the landlord's rent cannot exceed the payment standard for your area.
  • Waiting lists in Arizona are often closed, and when they open, they fill quickly — you can call to ask when the next opening is expected.
  • Once you have a voucher, you keep it as long as you stay within income limits and follow the program rules, even if you move to a different rental.
  • The housing authority inspects your rental unit before issuing the voucher and every year after, to make sure it meets housing quality standards.

How to get on the waiting list in Phoenix and Maricopa County

Both housing authorities keep waiting lists, but they are often closed. The Housing Authority of the City of Phoenix accepts applications only when it opens its list, which happens irregularly — sometimes once a year, sometimes not for several years. You can call them at (602) 233-2500 to ask when the next opening is expected. When the list opens, applications are usually accepted online or in person for a limited window, often just a few weeks.

The Housing Authority of Maricopa County covers areas including Tempe, Mesa, Scottsdale, Chandler, and unincorporated county land. Their waiting list is also often closed. You can reach them at (602) 233-2500 (they share a phone line with Phoenix Housing Authority) or visit their office in person to ask about the next opening date. Some years they open the list; other years they do not.

When a list opens, you will need to provide proof of income, household composition, and immigration status. Have recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer ready. You will also need to show identification and proof of Arizona residency. Once you are on the waiting list, you wait for your name to be called — this can take months or years depending on how many people are ahead of you and how many vouchers the authority has to issue.

What happens after your name is called from the waiting list

When the housing authority calls your name, you have a limited time — usually 60 to 90 days — to find a rental unit and a landlord willing to accept the voucher. This is the hardest part for many people. Not all landlords accept housing vouchers, and those who do may have their own rules about tenant screening, references, or the condition of the unit.

Once you find a unit and a landlord agrees to rent to you, the landlord must sign a lease with you and the housing authority. The housing authority will inspect the unit to make sure it meets Housing Quality Standards — the roof does not leak, the plumbing works, there is adequate heat and cooling, electrical outlets are safe, and the unit is generally clean and habitable. If the unit fails inspection, the landlord must fix the problems before the voucher can be issued.

After the unit passes inspection and the lease is signed, the housing authority issues the voucher and begins paying the landlord directly each month. You pay your share of the rent to the landlord. The voucher is now active, and you can stay in that unit as long as you follow the program rules.

Income limits and what happens if you earn more

To get a housing voucher in Arizona, your household income must be at or below 50 percent of the area median income for your county. In Maricopa County (which includes Phoenix), this limit changes each year. You can ask the housing authority for the current year's limit when you call about the waiting list.

Once you have a voucher, you can earn more money and keep it — the program allows your income to rise above the limit. However, if your income stays above 120 percent of the area median income for two consecutive years, the housing authority can terminate your voucher. This is called income recertification, and you will be asked to report your income every year. If you are close to the limit, tell the housing authority about any changes in your household income right away so they can explain how it affects your voucher.

How much you pay and how the voucher amount is set

Your monthly rent payment is the lower of two numbers: 30 percent of your household income, or the difference between the landlord's rent and the voucher payment standard for your area. The payment standard is the maximum amount the housing authority will pay toward rent in a given neighborhood, and it varies by bedroom size and location.

For example, if the payment standard for a two-bedroom in your area is $1,200 and the landlord's rent is $1,400, the voucher covers $1,200 and you pay $200. If your household income is $3,000 per month, 30 percent is $900, so you would pay $900 instead (the lower amount). The housing authority pays the landlord $1,200 directly.

Payment standards in Arizona are set by each housing authority and reviewed annually. They are higher in central Phoenix and lower in outer areas and rural counties. You can ask the housing authority what the payment standard is for the neighborhood where you want to live before you start looking for a unit.

Moving with your voucher and portability between counties

Once you have an active voucher, you can move to a different rental unit within the same housing authority's area without losing it. You find a new unit, the landlord agrees to accept the voucher, the housing authority inspects it, and you move. The voucher stays with you.

Moving to a different county in Arizona is more complicated. If you want to move from Phoenix Housing Authority's area to Maricopa County Housing Authority's area (or vice versa), you need permission from both authorities. This is called portability. The receiving authority must have vouchers available and must agree to take you on. Not all authorities accept portable vouchers, and the process can take several months. Contact your current housing authority to ask about portability before you plan a move.

Annual inspections and program rules you must follow

Every year, the housing authority will inspect your rental unit to make sure it still meets Housing Quality Standards. The landlord must allow the inspector in, and you should be present. If the unit fails inspection, the landlord has a set time to fix the problems. If they do not, the housing authority can stop paying the landlord and you may lose your voucher.

You must also follow program rules: you cannot sublet the unit, you cannot let someone else live there without the housing authority's permission, and you must report any changes in your household (someone moving in or out, a change in income, a change in immigration status). If you break the lease or cause damage beyond normal wear, the landlord can evict you and you will lose the voucher. The housing authority can also terminate your voucher if you are arrested for a crime or if you do not report for your annual recertification appointment.

What to do if the waiting list is closed or you need help finding a landlord

If both Phoenix Housing Authority and Maricopa County Housing Authority have closed waiting lists, you have a few other options. Some nonprofit organizations in Arizona help people find landlords who accept vouchers and navigate the process process. Community Legal Services and Arizona Tenants Advocates both offer housing counseling. You can also call 211 (a free referral line) and ask for housing voucher information or landlord-tenant resources in your area.

If you are currently homeless or at risk of homelessness, some rapid rehousing programs in Arizona can help you find a unit faster than the standard waiting list. These programs are run by local nonprofits and sometimes by the housing authorities themselves. Call 211 or contact your city's homeless services office to ask what programs are available in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use an Arizona housing voucher to rent in another state?

Yes, but you need permission from the Arizona housing authority first. The receiving state's housing authority must agree to accept your voucher. This process is called portability and can take several months. Contact your housing authority before you move to find out whether the area you are moving to participates in the program.

What if my landlord wants to raise the rent above the payment standard?

The housing authority will not pay more than the payment standard for your area, no matter what the landlord charges. If the landlord raises the rent above that amount, you would have to pay the difference out of pocket, or you would need to move to a different unit. You can ask the housing authority what the payment standard is before you sign a lease.

Do I lose my voucher if I get a job and earn too much money?

Not when ready. You can earn above the initial income limit and keep your voucher. However, if your income stays above 120 percent of the area median income for two consecutive years, the housing authority can terminate it. You report your income every year, so tell them about any raises or new jobs right away.

What happens if my landlord stops accepting the voucher payment?

If the landlord refuses to accept the housing authority's payment or breaks the lease, you have the right to move to a different unit with your voucher. The housing authority can also take legal action against the landlord. Contact your housing authority when ready if this happens so they can help you find a new rental.

Can I be denied a voucher because of my criminal record or immigration status?

The housing authority can deny a voucher for certain crimes, particularly drug-related convictions or crimes of violence. Immigration status is also considered — you must be a U.S. citizen or have may be able to access immigration status. Ask the housing authority about your specific situation before you explore, or contact a legal aid organization for information.