Section 8 Waiting List Frequently Asked Questions

Why don't you tell me my position on the wait list?

We do not disclose your position on the wait list because your position is not locked in stone -- it can and does change many times as new applicants are added and deleted – making a position number essentially meaningless.

How is my position on the wait list determined?

Your position on the wait list is affected by three factors: 1) any preferences you receive; 2) the date and time of your application, and 3) all the other applicants on the wait list.

Because the list is ordered by preferences, your wait list position can and will constantly change because of factor #3 – as people come and go on the wait list they affect your position on the list.

Applicants who have one or more preferences receive priority points and your position is determined by how many priority points you receive – more points mean a higher position. If you have the same amount of priority points as another applicant, the date the time of your application breaks the tie.

Those applicants with no priority points are ordered by date and time of application only.

When we are ready to "pull" applicants from the wait list and process their applications to determine if they are eligible to receive a housing voucher, we take a "snapshot" of the waitlist – essentially "freeze" the wait list just for the time it takes to select the number of applicants we need.

What are preferences?

Preferences are in essence "rewards" the Housing Authority gives applicants who fall into certain categories. The "reward" is a higher position on the wait list.

Our preferences are for Applicants whose Head of Household, Spouse, or Sole Member fall into one or more of the following categories:

Preferences are also extended to Applicant Families who:

What are priority points?

Applicants with Preferences receive Priority Points as follows:

5 Priority Points are given to Applicants whose Head of Household, Spouse, or Sole Member fall into one or more of the following categories:

2 Priority Points are given to Applicant Families who live in Plumas, Lassen, or Tehama Counties

1 Priority Point is given to Applicant Families who:

The most priority points an applicant with preferences could receive would be nine, the least would be one. Those with no preferences receive zero priority points.

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