The basic qualifications for the tenant-based Section 8 rental assistance are that you meet the income guidelines established by the Dept. of Housing & Urban Development. You must be 18 years of age or emancipated, furnish social security number, evidence of citizenship or immigrant status, and other screening criteria will be performed such as criminal background.

Once you have completed the application, you will be placed on the waiting list.

It is not possible to give you a definite date when rental assistance will be available, however the usual wait time is six months to one year or more. Once your name reaches the top of the waiting list, you will be required to update your information.

The tenant-based Section 8 program allows eligible participants to seek housing on the private market in an area of their choice. The participants pay a portion of their income to the landlord for rent, and the Housing Authority subsidizes the remaining portion of Contract Rent by making a payment to the landlord on the participant’s behalf. In order to utilize the assistance in another city or state, the participant must be a resident of Great Bend for at least one year.

You must complete and submit an application, along with the following documentation for every member of your household:

1. Original social security cards

2. Original government issued driver's license or photo identification

3. Income verification

4. Child support, alimony, legal separation, and divorce papers

If you are a full or part-time student, 24 years of age or younger, single and with no dependents, you may not be eligible for Section 8. Please contact the Section 8 department for more information.

You will pay 30% of your monthly adjusted gross income minus any allowable deductions.

Yes, the security deposit you will be required to pay may not exceed the legal limits set by the Kansas Landlord Tenant Act.

Be sure to notify this office in writing immediately, especially if your phone number or address changes. NOTE: If you move into a High Rise unit and wish to remain on the Section 8 waiting list, you MUST notify the program manager, in writing of your address change. This office will not automatically update the waiting list for any other program.