Phoenix Section 8 Calculator — Maricopa County Income Limits & Rent Estimate
Renters in Phoenix, AZ often search for the Housing Choice Voucher program — commonly called Section 8. Vouchers help very low-income households afford rent in private housing. In this city or town, HUD rules are usually applied through a Public Housing Authority (PHA) serving Maricopa County.
Expanded local guide
Section 8 in Phoenix — PHD, Waiting Lists & Maricopa County Housing
Local Section 8 guide for Phoenix and Maricopa County: City of Phoenix Housing Department (PHD) vouchers, waiting list status, payment standards, income limits, and estimated tenant rent share.
Updated September 12, 2026
Housing Authority Serving Phoenix
The primary agency administering Housing Choice Vouchers in Phoenix is the City of Phoenix Housing Department (PHD):
- Agency: City of Phoenix Housing Department (PHD)
- Jurisdiction: City of Phoenix
- Address: 251 W Washington St, Phoenix, AZ 85003
- Phone: (602) 262-6794
- Website: phoenix.gov/pdd/housing
- Waiting list status: Opens periodically; subscribe to city alerts for announcements
Residents in unincorporated Maricopa County or cities like Mesa, Tempe, or Glendale that lack their own housing authority may be served by Maricopa County HCD. PHD manages both tenant-based vouchers (usable at any qualifying private rental within Phoenix) and project-based assistance at specific affordable housing developments.
Income Limits & Fair Market Rent in Maricopa County
Section 8 eligibility in Phoenix is governed by HUD income limits for the Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZ MSA:
- 30% of Median (Extremely Low Income): Priority admission group — 75% of new vouchers allocated here.
- 50% of Median (Very Low Income): Standard maximum income threshold for new HCV applicants.
- 80% of Median (Low Income): Qualifies for limited project-based affordable housing programs.
HUD Fair Market Rents for the Phoenix metro guide PHD’s payment standards. Voucher holders typically pay 30% of adjusted monthly income toward rent and utilities, with the voucher covering the rest up to the payment standard.
Calculate your estimated rent share and voucher subsidy →
How to Apply for Section 8 in Phoenix
- Monitor PHD’s official website at phoenix.gov/pdd/housing and register for email notifications about waiting list openings.
- Prepare your documents in advance: government-issued photo ID, Social Security cards for all household members, proof of income (pay stubs, SSI/SSDI award letters), and birth certificates.
- Complete the online application immediately when the waiting list opens — enrollment windows often close within days.
- Claim any applicable preferences — PHD gives priority to Phoenix residents, veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and persons with disabilities.
- Follow up after placement — respond promptly to any communications from PHD to avoid being purged from the list.
Waiting List Tips for Phoenix & Maricopa County
- Apply to both PHD and Maricopa County HCD simultaneously, as each agency operates independently with different wait times.
- Explore city-specific programs — Phoenix operates its own affordable housing developments with separate, potentially shorter waitlists.
- Contact nonprofit partners such as Chicanos Por La Causa, Tumbleweed Center, and Andre House for bridge rental assistance programs while on the waiting list.
- Review the HOME and ESG programs offered by the City of Phoenix for emergency rental and utility assistance.
- Consider neighboring housing authorities in Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale, and Chandler — applying to multiple agencies broadens your options.
HUD income limits & Fair Market Rents — Phoenix
Official HUD figures for Maricopa County (area: Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ MSA). Local PHA payment standards are often 90–110% of FMR.
Annual income limits (FY 2026)
Very low income (~50% AMI) and low income (~80% AMI) by household size. Section 8 typically prioritizes very low-income households.
| Household size | Very low (50%) | Low (80%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $39,350 | $62,950 |
| 2 | $45,000 | $71,950 |
| 3 | $50,600 | $80,950 |
| 4 | $56,200 | $89,900 |
| 5 | $60,700 | $97,100 |
| 6 | $65,200 | $104,300 |
| 7 | $69,700 | $111,500 |
| 8 | $74,200 | $118,700 |
Monthly Fair Market Rents (FY 2027)
Benchmark gross rent (rent + utilities) by unit size. Use the ZIP calculator for Small Area FMRs or an estimated voucher amount.
This area uses Small Area FMRs by ZIP. County-level FMR rows may be blank — use the calculator with your ZIP code.
| Bedrooms | FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,390 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,493 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,734 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,287 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,537 |
Source: HUD USER API (income limits & FMR). Educational estimate only; not affiliated with HUD or any PHA. Reference fiscal year: 2026.
Phoenix Section 8 Rent Calculator & Voucher Estimate
Because Phoenix may sit in a multi-county HUD area, use our Section 8 rent calculator to check your county, HUD income limits, and estimated tenant rent share before you contact a housing authority.
Calculate Phoenix rent share & voucherHousing Choice Voucher program
A Section 8 voucher in the Phoenix area does not pay your full rent. You pay a tenant share (often about 30% of adjusted income), and the voucher covers part of the rent up to the local payment standard, which is based on HUD Fair Market Rents for Maricopa County.
Most PHAs near Phoenix run waiting lists that open only periodically. Eligibility depends on income, household size, and local preferences — not on applying first online alone.
- Project-based Section 8 — Project-based Section 8 — subsidy stays with specific buildings (different application path).
- Tenant-based vouchers (HCV) — Tenant-based vouchers (HCV) — you find a unit; the voucher moves with you in many cases after initial lease-up.
- Local preferences — Local preferences — veterans, elderly, disabled, or working families may get priority on some lists.
Section 8 guides for Phoenix renters
These guides explain vouchers, income limits, and rent math for households in Phoenix and across Arizona. Each links to our calculator so you can run numbers for your ZIP.
How Section 8 HAP Is Calculated (Tenant Share vs Owner)
HAP is min(payment standard, gross rent) minus TTP. See family rent to owner, utility reimbursement, the 90–110% FMR band, and what this calculator can and cannot decide.
RentHow Much Section 8 Pays by Bedroom Size
There is no national dollar amount for a 1-, 2-, or 3-bedroom voucher. Family unit size, the PHA payment standard, and your TTP decide HAP — plus the 40% first-lease rule.
PHAFind Your Public Housing Authority (PHA) for Section 8
Learn what a PHA is, how to find the housing authority for your city or county, and where to apply for a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list.
ApplicationHow to Apply for Section 8 — Waiting Lists & PHA Steps
Step-by-step overview of Section 8 waiting lists, PHA applications, and what to do while you wait for a voucher.
Voucher programHousing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) Explained
What the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program is, how PHAs run it, and how vouchers differ from public housing.
RentSection 8 Rent Calculator — How Much Will I Pay With a Voucher?
Estimate your Section 8 tenant share (TTP), payment standard, and maximum voucher subsidy. Includes rent above payment standard examples.
Income limitsSection 8 Income Limits Explained by Household Size
HUD very low and low income limits determine Section 8 eligibility. See how limits vary by ZIP, county, metro area, and family size.
BasicsHow Section 8 Housing Works — Vouchers, PHAs & What You Pay (2026)
How Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers work in 2026 — who qualifies, how PHAs issue vouchers, how payment standards are calculated, and exactly what renters pay vs what the subsidy covers.
Apply near Phoenix
- Confirm income limits with the calculator.
- Find your PHA in our PHA Directory or the HUD contacts tool (Maricopa County).
- Join the waiting list when the PHA opens applications — many lists close for years at a time.
- When selected, find a rental at or below the payment standard and complete inspection.
Ready to apply? Download the PDF application checklist before your appointment.
FAQ — Section 8 in Phoenix
Can I use Section 8 in Phoenix, AZ?
Many renters in Phoenix can apply if they meet HUD income limits and the local PHA has an open waiting list. Vouchers are portable in some cases, but you must apply through the housing authority that serves your area — often tied to Maricopa County.
How much rent will I pay with a voucher near Phoenix?
Your minimum share is the Total Tenant Payment (TTP) — typically the greater of 30% of adjusted monthly income, 10% of gross income, or a small PHA minimum. Use our calculator with your ZIP to see an estimate for Maricopa County.
Where do I apply for Section 8 in Phoenix?
Applications are handled by your local Public Housing Authority, not this website. Search HUD's PHA contact directory for authorities serving Maricopa County, then follow their waiting list instructions.
Does Phoenix have its own income limits?
HUD publishes income limits and Fair Market Rents by county or metro area. Phoenix uses the limits for Maricopa County. Enter your ZIP in our calculator to pull the current HUD figures for your household size.
Do medical bills lower Section 8 rent in Phoenix?
If your household is elderly (62+) or disabled, HUD may deduct unreimbursed medical costs above 10% of annual income, plus a family allowance. That reduces the adjusted income used for your tenant share (TTP). Run a Phoenix ZIP in the calculator; the PHA serving Maricopa County decides which receipts count.