Finding housing that takes vouchers
Once your voucher is in hand, the clock starts — most PHAs give you a limited window (often 60–120 days, with possible extensions) to find a unit. Here's how to use that time well.
Where to look
Start with your PHA's own listings if it maintains them, then expand to general rental listing sites filtered for "Section 8 accepted" or "voucher accepted." Many landlords who accept vouchers don't advertise it prominently — it's worth calling about promising units even if the listing doesn't mention it. In an increasing number of states and cities, refusing to rent to a voucher holder solely because of that status is illegal (a "source of income" protection) — know whether that applies where you're searching.
Once you've found a place
The unit has to pass a Housing Quality Standards inspection and the rent has to fall within your PHA's payment standard before your lease can start. Use the Voucher Payment Estimator to sanity-check whether a unit's asking rent is realistic for your area before you get attached to it.