Find Section 8 rental housing

With a Housing Choice Voucher, you need a landlord who specifically agrees to participate — not just any "affordable" apartment. The tools below are the most reliable ways to find voucher-accepting units.

Heads up: Sites like Apartments.com and Zillow mix voucher-accepting landlords with income-restricted buildings (LIHTC/Section 42) that may not accept your voucher at all. Always confirm voucher acceptance directly with the landlord before applying. Learn the difference →

Search for voucher-accepting rentals

These platforms specifically serve voucher holders looking for participating landlords.

GoSection8.com (opens in new tab)

Best for vouchers

The largest national listing site specifically for Section 8 / Housing Choice Voucher rentals. Landlords list here because they want voucher tenants.

AffordableHousingOnline.com (opens in new tab)

Broad affordable housing search including both voucher-accepting landlords and income-restricted properties. Confirm voucher acceptance before applying.

Find your local housing authority

Your PHA is often the best starting point — many maintain informal lists of landlords who have previously participated in the program, and some publish available units directly.

Housing Authority Finder

Look up the Public Housing Agency for any ZIP code — with contact information, program details, and a direct link to their website.

HUD Resource Locator (opens in new tab)

Official

HUD's official locator for federally assisted housing, public housing offices, and other housing resources by location.

Other places worth checking

A significant share of individual landlords who accept vouchers advertise on general platforms rather than Section 8-specific sites. Search these with terms like "Section 8 welcome" or "vouchers accepted."

Craigslist (opens in new tab)

Search your city's housing section. Many individual landlords who accept vouchers post here and respond quickly.

Facebook Marketplace (opens in new tab)

Rentals section often has individual landlords who are open to vouchers, especially in areas where larger platforms have thin listings.

Zillow Rentals (opens in new tab)

Use the keyword search to filter for 'Section 8' or 'voucher.' Coverage varies by market — confirm acceptance before applying.

Before you start searching

  • Know your payment standard — this is the maximum rent your voucher will cover. Use the Voucher Payment Estimator to look up the limit for any ZIP code and bedroom size before you start touring.
  • Check your search deadline — most PHAs give you 60–120 days to find a unit. Ask for an extension early if you think you might need one; don't wait until the last minute.
  • Understand your rights — in many states and cities, landlords cannot refuse to rent to you solely because you have a voucher (source-of-income protection). See Your rights & the rules for details.

Not sure what "affordable housing" means when you see it in a listing? Read our explainer on Section 8 vs. Section 42 / LIHTC — it explains why income-restricted buildings often can't accept your voucher.