Section 8 housing qualifications in virginia?

[Alexandra]

My boyfriend and I are trying to apply for section 8 housing together in harrisonburg virginia. We're expecting our first daughter in two months, and we're really striving to get our own place as soon as possible. I'm 20 and he is 19, both unemployed (although he turns in numerous applications a week, the job market here is terrible) I'm fairly possitive I myself would qualify. I live with my unemployed mother and we recieve foodstamps, wic, and medicaid. But what I want to know is if we can apply together, or if we have to be married. We're both serious about getting married, but were planning to put it off for at least a year or two. also, if anyone knows what other qualifications we might have to meet, that would be great. I know I can go to social services for this information, but it's pretty rare that I have a way to the office. Any links or information are appriciated

[Cathi K]

You go to the HUD office. You cannot apply together. You could not even live together. Apply if they are taking applications. Most are closed now. Waiting lists are years long. You apply now and may not qualify in 5 or more years when you come up.

[Ann]

You must be married. You both must be working. He must be working full time. You must be a resident of where you apply or working in the county you apply.

There is no priority for young couples living in a safe, clean environment whose only motivation to move is because they started a family before they should have. I don't mean to sound harsh. That is just reality. They first need to house families living in homeless shelters or the disabled or people leaving abusive situations. You two are just unemployed and in love. Of course you want your own nest to feather to feel like a little family. Of course you don't want to be annoyed by your parents interfering in your parenting style. But, you need to face reality and accept that will be your living situation for awhile. Lots of people start out that way. My grandparents, my sister in law, my uncle, my sister. Get married and then at least people will treat you seriously and you can claim your own space in whatever house you live. You won't need to be badgered about his staying with you. They back off and let you breathe.

For the record, my grandparents got married in 1929. They were 3 months pregnant with my father, quite the scandal back then. They stayed married for 58 years before my grandfather passed away at 78. They lived with family their first year together.

[Landlord]

Nope.

You have to be married.

You have to work 32 hours a week.

[shawlexwes]

As the others have said you do need to be married in order to apply together for section 8. Also you don't want to apply by yourself and have him live with you, that's a definite breaking of the rules. I'm from harrisonburg also btw. You may also have a problem even if you were married because I'm fairly certain the waiting list is very long. You may be better off applying to Mosby or Harris Gardens as they are income based properties. I've met a few people who live at each place. Harris Gardens covers electric and water, mosby I think you have to pay your own electric. My advise to you is to tuff it out and stay where you are until you can find jobs and save up enough to get a decent place. It's hard to get out of the hole when you get into government housing. You can only make it if you barely make any money. Once you start working steady your rent will go up based on that income so it's hard to get ahead. Keep trying to find work and save, save, save.