Stillwater Section 8 Calculator — Washington County Income Limits & Rent Estimate
Renters in Stillwater, MN 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 Washington County.
Expanded local guide
Section 8 in Stillwater — Washington County Community Development Agency, Waiting Lists & Washington County Housing
Local Section 8 guide for Stillwater and Washington County: Washington County CDA vouchers, waiting list status, payment standards, income limits, and estimated tenant rent share.
Updated September 12, 2026
Housing Authority Serving Stillwater
- Agency: Washington County Community Development Agency (CDA)
- Jurisdiction: Washington County, MN — including Stillwater, Woodbury, Cottage Grove, Forest Lake, and Oakdale
- Waiting list status: Opens periodically; check the official portal
- Application portal: washingtoncountycda.org
- Main office: 7645 Currell Blvd, Woodbury, MN 55125
- Phone: (651) 458-0936
The Washington County Community Development Agency (CDA) administers the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program for Stillwater and the rest of Washington County, located in the eastern Twin Cities metro along the St. Croix River. As a fast-growing suburban county, Washington County has a tight rental market, making the CDA’s voucher program a critical lifeline for households who cannot afford market-rate rents without assistance. The CDA issues vouchers that allow eligible tenants to choose their own private market unit, subject to landlord participation and HUD Housing Quality Standards.
Stillwater is Washington County’s historic county seat and a popular tourist destination known for its Victorian architecture, riverfront restaurants, and boutique shops. While the city’s charm attracts visitors and higher-income residents, it also creates affordability pressure on lower-income households. The CDA’s vouchers help working families, seniors, and people with disabilities maintain stable housing in a community with strong schools and amenities.
Income Limits & Fair Market Rent in Washington County
Washington County falls within the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Metropolitan Statistical Area, one of the larger and more prosperous metro areas in the Midwest. For 2026, HUD’s AMI estimate for a four-person household is approximately $111,700. Eligibility for a Housing Choice Voucher requires household income at or below 50% AMI (roughly $55,850 for a family of four). Federal statute mandates that 75% of newly issued vouchers go to households at or below 30% AMI (approximately $33,500 for a family of four).
Fair Market Rents for the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro in FY 2026 reflect the region’s strong demand for rental housing. Estimated FMRs are approximately $950 for a studio, $1,100 for a one-bedroom, $1,400 for a two-bedroom, $1,900 for a three-bedroom, and $2,200 for a four-bedroom unit. Stillwater’s rental market can run slightly above these averages due to its desirable location, so voucher holders may need to search across a broader area within Washington County to find units within the Payment Standard.
The CDA publishes its annual Payment Standards on its website. Tenants who choose units above the Payment Standard may pay more than 30% of their income but cannot exceed 40% of income during the initial lease term. The rent estimator below will help you calculate your exact share for any unit you are considering in or around Stillwater.
Run your Stillwater rent estimate →
How to Apply for Section 8 in Stillwater
- Check waitlist status — Visit washingtoncountycda.org and subscribe to email updates to be notified when the HCV waiting list reopens.
- Apply online when the list opens — Complete the full application form electronically, including all household members, income, and contact details.
- Confirm your placement — Save your confirmation receipt and waitlist number for reference throughout the process.
- Keep records updated — Notify the CDA of any changes to your address, income, or household composition while on the waitlist to avoid removal.
- Complete the eligibility process — When selected, attend the mandatory briefing, submit identity and income documents, pass background screening, and receive your voucher to begin the housing search.
Waiting List Tips for Stillwater
- Washington County’s list can have multi-year wait times — apply to neighboring counties (Ramsey, Anoka, Dakota) simultaneously.
- Veterans and homeless individuals may qualify for special priority categories at the CDA; ask directly.
- The CDA’s network includes affordable housing developments in Woodbury and Cottage Grove that may accept applicants separately from the HCV list.
- Stillwater landlords are familiar with HCV because of the program’s long history in Washington County; ask the CDA for a landlord resource list.
- Minnesota has strong tenant protections — Section 8 recipients cannot be denied housing based on source of income in many circumstances under state law.
HUD income limits & Fair Market Rents — Stillwater
Official HUD figures for Washington County (area: Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI 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 | $46,050 | $73,650 |
| 2 | $52,600 | $84,200 |
| 3 | $59,200 | $94,700 |
| 4 | $65,750 | $105,200 |
| 5 | $71,050 | $113,650 |
| 6 | $76,300 | $122,050 |
| 7 | $81,550 | $130,450 |
| 8 | $86,800 | $138,900 |
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.
| Bedrooms | FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,265 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,427 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,734 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,264 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,538 |
Source: HUD USER API (income limits & FMR). Educational estimate only; not affiliated with HUD or any PHA. Reference fiscal year: 2026.
Stillwater Section 8 Rent Calculator & Voucher Estimate
Because Stillwater 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 Stillwater rent share & voucherHousing Choice Voucher program
A Section 8 voucher in the Stillwater 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 Washington County.
Most PHAs near Stillwater 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 Stillwater renters
These guides explain vouchers, income limits, and rent math for households in Stillwater and across Minnesota. 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 Stillwater
- Confirm income limits with the calculator.
- Find your PHA in our PHA Directory or the HUD contacts tool (Washington 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 Stillwater
Can I use Section 8 in Stillwater, MN?
Many renters in Stillwater 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 Washington County.
How much rent will I pay with a voucher near Stillwater?
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 Washington County.
Where do I apply for Section 8 in Stillwater?
Applications are handled by your local Public Housing Authority, not this website. Search HUD's PHA contact directory for authorities serving Washington County, then follow their waiting list instructions.
Does Stillwater have its own income limits?
HUD publishes income limits and Fair Market Rents by county or metro area. Stillwater uses the limits for Washington 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 Stillwater?
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 Stillwater ZIP in the calculator; the PHA serving Washington County decides which receipts count.