How Section 811 Housing Works for People With Disabilities
What Section 811 is and who it's designed for
Section 811 is a federal program that funds housing for non-elderly adults with disabilities — typically people between 18 and 61 who have a physical disability, developmental disability, or psychiatric disability. Unlike Section 8, which gives you a voucher to rent anywhere a landlord accepts it, Section 811 creates actual housing units that are owned or controlled by nonprofits and state housing agencies. You don't choose the building; you move into a unit that's already set aside for this program.
The program comes in two main forms. The original Section 811 funds permanent supportive housing — apartments where you live long-term, usually with on-site or nearby support services. A newer version, called Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities, focuses on helping people transition from institutions (hospitals, group homes, nursing facilities) back into the community. Both charge you rent based on your income, typically 30 percent of what you earn.
Section 811 is much smaller than Section 8. There are roughly 30,000 Section 811 units nationwide, compared to over 2 million Section 8 vouchers. That means waiting lists are long in most places, and some states have closed them entirely. If you're looking for housing right now, you may need to explore Section 8, state disability housing programs, or other options while you wait.
Key Takeaways
- Section 811 provides permanent housing units owned by nonprofits or state agencies, not vouchers you use at any landlord.
- You must have a disability documented by a doctor or disability information agency, and most programs serve adults between 18 and 61.
- Rent is typically 30 percent of your income, and many units include on-site support services or connections to community services.
- Waiting lists are long in most states, and some have closed them; your state housing agency or disability services office can tell you the current status.
- If Section 811 is closed or the wait is years long, Section 8 vouchers, state housing programs, or nonprofit housing may be faster routes.
How to learn about Section 811 is open in your state
The first step is to contact your state's housing finance agency or your state's disability services office — they manage the waiting list and know whether new applications are being taken. You can find your state housing agency through the National Council of State Housing Agencies website, or search "[your state] housing finance agency" directly. Your state disability services office (often called the Division of Developmental Disabilities or similar) may also maintain a list or refer you to the right program.
When you call, ask three things: whether Section 811 is currently taking applications, how long the waiting list is, and whether there are other disability housing programs in your state that might be faster. Some states have closed Section 811 waiting lists because they have so many people waiting already. Others have state-funded programs that work similarly but move faster. Getting this information in one call saves you from filling out paperwork for a program that isn't open.
You can also contact your local Center for Independent Living (CIL), a nonprofit that serves people with disabilities. They know the local housing landscape and can tell you which programs are actually taking people right now. Find your nearest CIL through the National Association of Disability Representatives or by searching "[your city] Center for Independent Living."
What you need to show to get on a waiting list
To be considered for Section 811, you'll need to prove three things: that you have a disability, that you meet income limits, and that you need housing. The disability proof usually comes from a doctor's letter, a disability information letter from Social Security, or documentation from your state's disability services agency. The program doesn't require you to be on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), but if you are, that documentation counts as proof.
Income limits vary by program and location, but generally you must have a very low income — often below 30 percent of your area's median income. If you're on SSI, you almost certainly meet the income limit. If you work or have other income, bring recent pay stubs or tax returns. The program will count your income and calculate what your rent would be (usually 30 percent of what you earn).
You'll also need to show that you need housing — meaning you're currently homeless, living in an institution, or in an unsafe or unstable living situation. If you're living with family and they're asking you to leave, or if you're in a group home and want to move to your own apartment, that counts. Bring documentation of your current living situation: a letter from your case manager, proof of homelessness, or a statement from your family.
How long it takes and what happens after you're approved
Once you're on a waiting list, the timeline depends entirely on how many people are ahead of you and how many units become available. In some places, you might wait six months to two years. In others, the wait is five years or longer. Some states have closed their lists and aren't taking new people at all. This is why it's important to ask about the wait when you first call — if it's very long, you may want to pursue other housing options in the meantime.
When a unit becomes available and your name reaches the top of the list, the program will contact you. You'll meet with a housing coordinator who will show you the apartment and explain the lease and the services available. Unlike Section 8, you don't get to choose from multiple buildings; you're offered the unit that's available. If you turn it down, you usually go back to the bottom of the list or are removed entirely, depending on the program's rules.
Once you move in, you pay rent (30 percent of your income) and the program pays the rest to the landlord or nonprofit owner. You sign a lease just like any tenant. Many Section 811 programs also connect you with support services — a case manager, help with budgeting, transportation to appointments, or connections to mental health or medical care. The services vary by program; ask what's included when you're offered a unit.
Section 811 compared to Section 8 and other housing programs
| Program | What you get | Who runs it | Typical wait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section 811 | Nonprofit-owned apartment; you pay 30% of income; often includes support services | State housing agency or nonprofit | 6 months to 5+ years; many lists closed |
| Section 8 | Voucher to rent from any landlord who accepts it; you pay 30% of income | Local public housing authority | Months to years; varies widely by city |
| State disability housing | Varies; may be apartments, group homes, or vouchers; often tied to services | State disability services office | Varies; often faster than Section 811 |
| Nonprofit housing | Apartments reserved for people with disabilities; may include services | Local nonprofits | Varies; often shorter than Section 811 |
Section 8 is usually faster to get into than Section 811, especially if your local housing authority is actively taking applications. With Section 8, you have more choice — you can rent anywhere a landlord accepts the voucher. But Section 8 doesn't include support services, and landlords in tight housing markets sometimes refuse vouchers. Section 811 includes services and guarantees the landlord accepts it, but the wait is longer and you don't choose the building.
Many states also run their own disability housing programs that work similarly to Section 811 but may move faster. Your state disability services office can tell you what's available. Some nonprofits also own disability housing and may have shorter waiting lists than the federal program. These are worth exploring while you wait for Section 811 or if Section 811 isn't open in your state.
What to do if Section 811 is closed or the wait is too long
If Section 811 isn't taking applications or the wait is years long, start with your state disability services office. Ask what other housing programs they fund or know about. Many states have their own supportive housing programs, and some have faster timelines than Section 811. Your state may also have programs specifically for people transitioning out of institutions, which can move quickly if you're in that situation.
Apply for Section 8 through your local public housing authority at the same time. Section 8 waiting lists vary dramatically by location — some cities have short waits or are taking applications, while others are closed. Call your local housing authority to ask the current status. If you're on SSI or SSDI, mention that when you call; some housing authorities prioritize people with disabilities.
Contact your local Center for Independent Living and ask about nonprofit housing in your area. Many nonprofits own buildings reserved for people with disabilities and may have shorter waiting lists than Section 811. They can also help you navigate other programs and may know about emergency housing or rapid rehousing if you're currently homeless or in crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be on disability benefits to get Section 811?
No. You need to have a documented disability, but you don't have to be receiving Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income. A letter from your doctor, a disability information letter, or documentation from your state's disability services agency all count as proof. If you are on SSDI or SSI, that documentation works too.
Can I keep working if I'm in Section 811 housing?
Yes. Your rent is based on 30 percent of your income, so if you earn money from work, your rent goes up. But there's no rule against working. Some Section 811 programs include employment support services to help you find and keep a job.
What if I need to move out of my Section 811 apartment?
You can move out the same way you would from any rental — by giving notice and following your lease. If you're moving because you found a Section 8 voucher or other housing, you just leave. If you're moving because the housing isn't working, talk to your case manager first; they may be able to help solve the problem or connect you to a different program.
Can I get Section 811 if I'm currently in a nursing home or group home?
Yes. Section 811 has a specific focus on helping people move from institutions into community housing. If you're in a nursing facility, hospital, or group home and want to move to your own apartment, tell your case manager or social worker that you're interested in Section 811. They can help you get on the waiting list.
What happens if I can't afford the rent even at 30 percent of my income?
If your income is very low, 30 percent may still be a small amount — for example, if you're on SSI at about $900 a month, 30 percent is roughly $270. But if you have no income at all, ask the program how they handle rent. Some programs have a minimum rent (often $25 to $50), and some can work with you on payment plans if you're in crisis. Talk to your case manager or the housing program directly.