06.02.2026 | News
Finding affordable housing can be challenging, especially as rental prices continue to rise across the Dallas area. Fortunately, programs such as the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program help low-income individuals and families access safe, affordable housing opportunities. If you're searching for an affordable apartment community in Dallas, Oakwood Place offers spacious 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartment homes in a welcoming neighborhood with convenient access to shopping, dining, schools, and major employers. Contact our leasing team today at (214) 375-2100 to learn more about current availability and the application process.
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) operates something called the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program. It issues housing vouchers to low-income people based on their annual income, background, and family size. Eligible tenants for Section 8 may include:
- Individuals and families with a household income below 50% of the local median income of their county or metropolitan area
- Disabled individuals
- Low-income senior citizens
- Veterans
- Active-duty military
- Homeless families
- Homeless individuals
For example, in Dallas, a single person cannot make more than $37,350 per year to become eligible for housing vouchers because it is about 50% of the local median income for the Dallas metropolitan area. Other states and metropolitan areas would have a different median income to calculate eligibility for the vouchers.
How to Know if You Qualify for Housing Vouchers
Your local Public Housing Authority (PHA) manages the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program within the local jurisdiction. The PHA is the agency that determines whether you meet the federal eligibility guidelines and requirements to receive housing vouchers. You should contact your local PHA to see if you qualify right away.
Keep in mind that each PHA is separate from the others. Even though they are all obligated to enforce federal guidelines, each PHA may also have its own specific rules and guidelines that differ from those of other PHAs. So, if you have dealt with PHAs in other locations in the past, don’t assume the Dallas PHA will have the same guidelines.
One of the biggest differences between PHAs is their waitlist procedures. Some PHAs might make you wait several months, while others might make you wait several years. Applicants who are disabled, homeless, elderly, or veterans usually receive top priority on the waitlists. But in the end, the PHA uses a lottery-based system to choose applicants for housing vouchers, which means there are no guarantees for immediate assistance.
Therefore, you should submit your application as soon as possible. The high demand for housing vouchers continues to grow with each passing day. The sooner you submit your application, the sooner you can start receiving your vouchers.
Where to Find Affordable Housing in Dallas?
If an individual qualifies for housing vouchers, the next step is finding an apartment community in Dallas that accepts them. While the search for voucher-friendly housing can be time-consuming, there are affordable housing communities available that welcome residents participating in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.
Oakwood Place Apartments is a highly recommended affordable housing option for voucher holders in Dallas. Located in a family-friendly neighborhood, the community offers spacious 1, 2, and 3-bedroom apartment homes designed to provide a comfortable and welcoming living environment for individuals and families alike.
Those interested in learning more about affordable housing opportunities and Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher eligibility at Oakwood Place Apartments can contact the leasing office at (214) 375-2100 for current availability and additional information.
