Can a felon live with someone on Section 8?
Ava Robinson
Published Mar 11, 2026
Short Answer: Yes, some felons can qualify for Section 8 HUD public housing depending on the type of felony that they have been convicted of. Yes, a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher household may live in a unit with other people, but only if very specific circumstances are met.
Can felons live in public housing?
Short Answer: Yes, some felons can qualify for Section 8 HUD public housing depending on the type of felony that they have been convicted of. Each state also administers their HUD/Section 8 programs in slightly different manors which may disqualify some felons, particularly sex offenders.
Can a family member be my landlord?
Your family member doesn’t have to make a profit from renting to you. It can still be a commercial letting even if you’re charged below the usual market rent. But your relative should intend to take on the rights and responsibilities of a landlord.
Can a felon live with a section 8 recipient?
Based on the above criteria, the PHA will determine whether a felon can be allowed to live with the section 8 recipient. Failure to report someone with a felony who started living with you in Section 8 housing can result in permanent termination of your benefits. In many cases, you may never be allowed to get public housing assistance again.
What kind of housing assistance can a felon get?
One popular type of housing assistance for felons is the Section 8 choice voucher program. Section 8 is a federally funded rental assistance program that exists in every state. It allows eligible individuals and families to rent an apartment from a participating landlord at a heavily discounted rated of about 60-70%
Can you get Section 8 housing if you have a criminal history?
By federal law, Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) have the power to deny public housing applicants and those in receipt of the Housing Choice Voucher Program, commonly known as Section 8, based on their criminal history. Individual PHAs can implement their own housing rules, which may be stricter than the standards required by federal law.
Can a sex offender get a section 8 voucher?
To earn Section 8 vouchers, applicants must first meet the standards that the Department of Housing and Urban Development sets forth. HUD prohibits individuals from receiving housing assistance if they are on the sex offender registry for life or if they were convicted of making methamphetamine in government-subsidized housing.