Woodbridge Section 8 Calculator — Middlesex County Income Limits & Rent Estimate
Renters in Woodbridge, NJ 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 census area, HUD rules are usually applied through a Public Housing Authority (PHA) serving Middlesex County.
Expanded local guide
Section 8 in Woodbridge — Middlesex County Housing Authority, Waiting Lists & Middlesex County Housing
Local Section 8 guide for Woodbridge and Middlesex County: MCHA vouchers, waiting list status, payment standards, income limits, and estimated tenant rent share.
Updated September 12, 2026
Housing Authority Serving Woodbridge
- Agency: Middlesex County Housing Authority (MCHA)
- Jurisdiction: Middlesex County, NJ, including Woodbridge Township, New Brunswick, Perth Amboy, and surrounding municipalities
- Waiting list status: Opens periodically — monitor middlesexcounty.com/housing for updates
- Application portal: middlesexcounty.com/housing
- Main office: 9 Johnson Dr, Raritan, NJ 08869
- Phone: (908) 526-5084
Woodbridge Township is one of New Jersey’s most populous municipalities, stretching from the waterfront along Raritan Bay to the commercial and industrial corridors near Route 1. Its location — close to the Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike, and NJ Transit rail lines — makes it attractive to renters who work in New York City or central New Jersey, which in turn drives rental prices upward. Section 8 housing assistance through MCHA can be a critical lifeline for working families in this competitive market.
MCHA administers both federal Housing Choice Vouchers and New Jersey State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP) vouchers, funded through the state budget. SRAP vouchers function similarly to HCV but are limited to New Jersey and have separate eligibility and waiting lists. If you are a New Jersey resident who does not qualify for federal HCV, SRAP may be an alternative pathway to rental assistance. Contact MCHA to ask about both programs.
Income Limits & Fair Market Rent in Middlesex County
Middlesex County falls within the New York-Newark-Jersey City HUD metropolitan statistical area, one of the highest-cost metro areas in the country. For 2026, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) for a family of four is approximately $69,600, and a single person must earn below roughly $48,750 to qualify for the Housing Choice Voucher program. Extremely Low Income households (30% AMI) — roughly $41,750 for a family of four — receive priority status.
Fair Market Rents for Middlesex County in 2026 are estimated at approximately $1,380 for a studio, $1,620 for a 1-bedroom, $1,990 for a 2-bedroom, $2,480 for a 3-bedroom, and $2,880 for a 4-bedroom unit. Woodbridge’s actual asking rents for apartments near train stations and major roads frequently exceed these FMRs, particularly for newer construction. Older garden-style apartments in the township’s residential neighborhoods are more likely to fall within payment standards.
New Jersey has strong tenant protections, including the Anti-Eviction Act which limits evictions to specified good-cause reasons. Landlords in Woodbridge are generally familiar with Section 8 tenancies, and the township’s diversity makes it relatively receptive to voucher holders compared to some other parts of the state.
Run your Woodbridge rent estimate →
How to Apply for Section 8 in Woodbridge
- Check MCHA’s website and the Middlesex County portal at middlesexcounty.com/housing for waiting list status and application instructions.
- Prepare your documentation: government-issued photo ID, Social Security numbers for all household members, proof of income (pay stubs, Social Security award letters, unemployment records), bank statements, and documentation of any special circumstances (disability, veteran status, domestic violence).
- Apply online or in person at MCHA’s Raritan office during open enrollment. MCHA may use a lottery or sequential application process — confirm which method applies during the open period.
- Check your application status online and respond to all MCHA correspondence promptly. Failure to respond to a verification request within the stated deadline typically results in removal from the list.
- Inquire about NJ SRAP (State Rental Assistance Program) as a parallel application opportunity with MCHA or the NJ Department of Community Affairs.
- Attend your eligibility interview when called. MCHA will verify your household composition, income, and eligibility, then issue a voucher if approved.
Waiting List Tips for Woodbridge
- Apply to both federal HCV and NJ SRAP if MCHA offers both — you can potentially receive assistance from whichever program comes through first.
- NJ 211 (dial 2-1-1 or visit nj211.org) connects you to emergency rental assistance, mortgage assistance, and utility help while you wait for a voucher.
- Check with neighboring housing authorities. Perth Amboy and New Brunswick have their own housing authorities with separate HCV programs and potentially shorter wait times.
- Understand Woodbridge’s rent leveling rules. Many rental units in the township are subject to rent control protections under Woodbridge’s Rent Leveling Ordinance, which can help stabilize costs for long-term tenants.
- Identify transit-accessible areas. Woodbridge’s NJ Transit rail stations (Port Reading, Woodbridge, Avenel) and bus corridors offer options for car-free voucher holders, and proximity to transit often correlates with higher landlord acceptance of vouchers.
HUD income limits & Fair Market Rents — Woodbridge
Official HUD figures for Middlesex County (area: Middlesex-Somerset-Hunterdon, NJ 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 | $54,200 | $80,200 |
| 2 | $61,950 | $91,700 |
| 3 | $69,700 | $103,150 |
| 4 | $77,400 | $114,600 |
| 5 | $83,600 | $123,800 |
| 6 | $89,800 | $132,950 |
| 7 | $96,000 | $142,150 |
| 8 | $102,200 | $151,300 |
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 | $1,953 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,103 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,623 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,125 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,508 |
Source: HUD USER API (income limits & FMR). Educational estimate only; not affiliated with HUD or any PHA. Reference fiscal year: 2026.
Woodbridge Section 8 Rent Calculator & Voucher Estimate
Because Woodbridge 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 Woodbridge rent share & voucherHousing Choice Voucher program
A Section 8 voucher in the Woodbridge 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 Middlesex County.
Most PHAs near Woodbridge 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 Woodbridge renters
These guides explain vouchers, income limits, and rent math for households in Woodbridge and across New Jersey. 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 Woodbridge
- Confirm income limits with the calculator.
- Find your PHA in our PHA Directory or the HUD contacts tool (Middlesex 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 Woodbridge
Can I use Section 8 in Woodbridge, NJ?
Many renters in Woodbridge 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 Middlesex County.
How much rent will I pay with a voucher near Woodbridge?
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 Middlesex County.
Where do I apply for Section 8 in Woodbridge?
Applications are handled by your local Public Housing Authority, not this website. Search HUD's PHA contact directory for authorities serving Middlesex County, then follow their waiting list instructions.
Does Woodbridge have its own income limits?
HUD publishes income limits and Fair Market Rents by county or metro area. Woodbridge uses the limits for Middlesex 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 Woodbridge?
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 Woodbridge ZIP in the calculator; the PHA serving Middlesex County decides which receipts count.