06-06-2025
Need help paying rent? Financial assistance waitlist opens up soon in Miami-Dade
Miami-Dade County residents who need help paying their rent have the opportunity to apply for housing assistance in apartments located in buildings participating in the Project-Based Voucher program, which makes certain rental units affordable for low-income tenants.
Applications to join the waitlist for the Project-Based Voucher program will be accepted online only starting Monday, June 9 on the county's website. Applications are available in English, Spanish and Creole.
Under the program, tenants pay 30% of their adjusted monthly income, plus applicable utilities, during their participation.
Although rental prices have adjusted in Miami-Dade County and there is more rental inventory, the average rental cost stands at $2,719 per month, according to the most recent report from the RentCafe website.
Differences between the Project-Based Voucher program and Section 8
The Project-Based Voucher program is tied to the apartment, and when the tenant moves out, they don't take it with them, but rather make room for another person in need. Section 8, on the other hand, is granted to the individual, who can transfer it when moving to another project in the private market that accepts that type of subsidized housing plan.
The waiting list for the Project-Based Voucher program focuses on buildings or developments with multi-room apartments, many of which serve residents with tenant vouchers (Section 8) and people requiring supportive services, seniors, people with disabilities and formerly homeless residents.
Some of those buildings are located in Little Havana, downtown Miami, North Miami, Miami Gardens, Opa-locka and South Miami, to name a few neighborhoods in the county that have apartments dedicated to the housing assistance plan.
The need for affordable housing has become a crisis since the rise in rents during COVID-19, leading thousands of Miami-Dade residents to sign up for the Section 8 waitlist. In 2021, more than 90,000 people signed up, and in 2024, when the list reopened, 70,000 people applied on the first day alone to join a waitlist that had space for 5,000.
How to apply for the housing voucher program
Applications can be completed online from Monday, June 9 at 8 a.m. to Friday, June 20, at 11:59 p.m. Those without computer access can complete their application at the public libraries that offer this service:
the Main Library in downtown, 101 W. Flagler St., Miami North Dade Regional Library, 2455 NW 183rd St., Miami GardensWestchester Regional Library, 9445 Coral Way, MiamiMiami Beach Regional Library, 227 22nd Library, 14850 SW 280th St., Homesteadand at various Community Resource Centers throughout the county.
One application per household is allowed. Once you have provided all the information on your application, you will receive a confirmation number to acknowledge successful submission.
Those selected will receive notification from the Miami-Dade County Housing and Community Development Department by email or to the address provided when completing the application.
Priority is given to those on the 2024 waiting list, including homeless individuals, veterans, vulnerable populations, households with special needs, and individuals with mobility, hearing or vision impairments.
Income limit for housing assistance
Individuals 18 and older are eligible to apply for the Project-Based Voucher program waiting lists. Each year, the income limits that allow applicants to receive assistance change, and for 2025 they are:
single person, $43,400 household of two, $49,500household of three, $55,570household of four, $61,950household of five, $66,950household of six, $71,900
More information can be found on the county's website. You can also call the program office at 786-654-8440 Monday through Friday during regular business hours.
