Boca Raton Section 8 Calculator — Palm Beach County Income Limits & Rent Estimate
Renters in Boca Raton, FL 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 Palm Beach County.
Expanded local guide
Section 8 in Boca Raton — PBCHA Vouchers, Waiting Lists & Palm Beach County Housing
Local Section 8 guide for Boca Raton and Palm Beach County: Palm Beach County Housing Authority (PBCHA) vouchers, waiting list status, payment standards, income limits, and estimated tenant rent share.
Updated September 12, 2026
Housing Authority Serving Boca Raton
- Agency: Palm Beach County Housing Authority (PBCHA)
- Jurisdiction: Palm Beach County, including Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Lake Worth Beach, and unincorporated county areas
- Waiting list status: Opens periodically — monitor pbchamission.org
- Application portal: pbchamission.org
- Main office: 3432 W 45th St, West Palm Beach, FL 33407
- Phone: (561) 471-2581
The Palm Beach County Housing Authority is a major regional housing authority serving one of Florida’s most economically polarized counties — a place where billionaire estates on the barrier islands coexist with some of the state’s highest rates of cost-burdened renters. Boca Raton, located in the southern portion of Palm Beach County, is home to Florida Atlantic University, major corporate headquarters, and a predominantly affluent population — but also a significant workforce of service, healthcare, and hospitality employees whose incomes qualify for housing assistance.
PBCHA manages tenant-based Housing Choice Vouchers, project-based rental assistance contracts, and public housing properties. The authority’s voucher program serves thousands of households across the county, with Boca Raton and its neighboring communities (Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Lake Worth Beach) comprising a substantial share of voucher usage.
Income Limits & Fair Market Rent in Palm Beach County
HUD sets income limits for the Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area, which covers Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade Counties under one regional AMI benchmark. This large metro AMI reflects the South Florida market’s significant wealth alongside its substantial lower-income population.
For 2026, HUD Fair Market Rents for the Miami MSA apply throughout Palm Beach County, including Boca Raton. Boca Raton’s rental market skews toward higher-end apartments, townhomes, and gated communities, many of which carry asking rents above the FMR ceiling. Voucher holders in Boca Raton often find better matches in communities like Boynton Beach, Lake Worth Beach, or Delray Beach, where comparable units may fall within the PBCHA payment standard.
Participants pay approximately 30% of their adjusted monthly gross income toward rent, with PBCHA subsidizing the remainder up to the local payment standard.
Run your Boca Raton rent estimate →
How to Apply for Section 8 in Boca Raton
- Check whether PBCHA’s waiting list is open at pbchamission.org or by calling (561) 471-2581 — the list is frequently closed, so timing your application correctly is critical.
- Gather required documents: valid photo ID for all adult household members, Social Security cards for everyone in the household, 60 days of income documentation (pay stubs, SSI/SSDI letters, tax returns), and current landlord contact information.
- Complete the online application through PBCHA’s applicant portal as soon as the list opens; applications may close after a set number of submissions or a short window.
- Identify qualifying preferences — PBCHA may give priority to county residents, veterans, elderly persons, and those with disabilities; documenting these preferences at application time can help your placement.
- Respond promptly to PBCHA correspondence — failing to respond to update requests or interview invitations can result in removal from the waiting list.
Waiting List Tips for Boca Raton
- Also check the Boynton Beach Housing Authority and the City of West Palm Beach Housing Authority — each maintains a separate waiting list and may have different opening timelines.
- Contact the Community Action Program of Palm Beach County (CAP) for emergency rental assistance and case management services while you await a voucher.
- Look for LIHTC-funded affordable housing near Boca Raton — income-restricted apartment communities in Delray Beach and Boynton Beach often have shorter wait times than the countywide voucher program.
- If you are a veteran, contact the VA Medical Center in West Palm Beach about VASH (Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing) vouchers, which have a separate allocation and may be faster to access than PBCHA’s general waiting list.
HUD income limits & Fair Market Rents — Boca Raton
Official HUD figures for Palm Beach County (area: West Palm Beach-Boca Raton, FL HUD Metro FMR Area). 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 | $45,000 | $71,950 |
| 2 | $51,400 | $82,250 |
| 3 | $57,850 | $92,550 |
| 4 | $64,250 | $102,800 |
| 5 | $69,400 | $111,050 |
| 6 | $74,550 | $119,250 |
| 7 | $79,700 | $127,500 |
| 8 | $84,850 | $135,700 |
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 | $1,907 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,008 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,349 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,052 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,523 |
Source: HUD USER API (income limits & FMR). Educational estimate only; not affiliated with HUD or any PHA. Reference fiscal year: 2026.
Boca Raton Section 8 Rent Calculator & Voucher Estimate
Because Boca Raton 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 Boca Raton rent share & voucherHousing Choice Voucher program
A Section 8 voucher in the Boca Raton 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 Palm Beach County.
Most PHAs near Boca Raton 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 Boca Raton renters
These guides explain vouchers, income limits, and rent math for households in Boca Raton and across Florida. 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 Boca Raton
- Confirm income limits with the calculator.
- Find your PHA in our PHA Directory or the HUD contacts tool (Palm Beach 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 Boca Raton
Can I use Section 8 in Boca Raton, FL?
Many renters in Boca Raton 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 Palm Beach County.
How much rent will I pay with a voucher near Boca Raton?
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 Palm Beach County.
Where do I apply for Section 8 in Boca Raton?
Applications are handled by your local Public Housing Authority, not this website. Search HUD's PHA contact directory for authorities serving Palm Beach County, then follow their waiting list instructions.
Does Boca Raton have its own income limits?
HUD publishes income limits and Fair Market Rents by county or metro area. Boca Raton uses the limits for Palm Beach 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 Boca Raton?
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 Boca Raton ZIP in the calculator; the PHA serving Palm Beach County decides which receipts count.