Quick answerYes. In the United States, as of October 2026, a single adult with no children can get a Housing Choice Voucher. The federal definition of family includes "any other single person," and the test is income. Being single changes two things: the voucher is for a studio or one-bedroom, and some housing agencies rank single people who are not elderly, disabled, displaced or homeless behind other applicants.
Last checked: October 7, 2026, against 24 CFR 5.403, 5.603, 5.612, 982.4, 982.201, 982.202, 982.207 and 982.402, 42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)(3), HUD's pages on Housing Choice Vouchers, Mainstream vouchers, HUD-VASH, Emergency Housing Vouchers and Foster Youth to Independence, the current administrative plans of the housing agencies in New York City (NYCHA), Philadelphia, Chicago, New Jersey, Los Angeles, San Diego and Miami-Dade, and Honolulu's eligibility page.
- 0 or 1 bedroomthe voucher size federal rules allow one person
- 50%of area median income, the usual ceiling for a one-person household
- 75%of new admissions that must be extremely low income
- 1998the year Congress ended the required preference against "other" single people
- 4 of 7agency plans checked that state a one-bedroom voucher for one person
The Rule
A single person is a family under federal housing rules, so nobody needs a child, a spouse, a disability or a certain age to qualify.
24 CFR 5.403 says family "includes, but is not limited to, the following, regardless of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status." The voucher rules adopt that definition: a family is "a person or group of persons, as determined by the PHA consistent with 24 CFR 5.403" (24 CFR 982.4).
| Category in the definition | What the rule says | Can it be one person? |
|---|---|---|
| Elderly person | A single person who is elderly; an elderly family is one whose head, spouse or sole member is at least 62 | Yes |
| Near-elderly person | Sole member at least 50 and under 62 | Yes |
| Disabled person | A single person with a disability as the rule defines it | Yes |
| Displaced person | Displaced by government action or a formally recognized disaster | Yes |
| Any other single person | No further condition in the definition | Yes |
| Youth leaving foster care | Aged 18 to 24, left or leaving foster care, homeless or at risk | Yes |
| Group of persons residing together | A family with or without children, and elderly, near-elderly, disabled and displaced families | No |
| Remaining member of a tenant family | Listed under groups in the rule; the statute lists it with single persons | Yes |
What it means: "any other single person" is the line that covers a working-age adult with no children and no disability.
Source: 24 CFR 5.403, definitions of family, elderly family, near-elderly family, disabled family and displaced family; 42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)(3)(A) for the last row.
Income and the other tests still apply
Eligibility turns on income, citizenship or eligible immigration status, and screening, the same as for any household (24 CFR 982.201(a)).
- Income ceiling. An applicant must generally be a very low income family, meaning income at or below 50 percent of area median, adjusted for family size (24 CFR 5.603). The one-person figure is the lowest in each area's table. HUD posts every area's figures on its income limits page.
- Targeting. "Not less than 75 percent of the families admitted to a PHA's HCV program during the PHA fiscal year from the PHA waiting list shall be extremely low income families" (982.201(b)(2)).
- Students. 24 CFR 5.612 bars assistance to a college student who is under 24, unmarried, not a veteran, has no dependent child and is not a person with disabilities, unless the student is eligible alone and the parents are income-eligible too.
- Everything else. Criminal history, debts to a housing agency and assets are covered in what disqualifies you from Section 8.
TipNew York readers can see the one-person limit for the five boroughs in the Section 8 income limits guide for NYC.
Is There Still a Federal Limit on Single People?
One limit remains: a single person who is not elderly, disabled or a remaining family member cannot be given a voucher for two or more bedrooms. The old rules that held single people back in line are gone.
- Before 1990the statute capped "other" single persons at 15 percent of an agency's units.
- 1990Public Law 101-625 struck the cap and wrote in the two-bedroom limit that still stands.
- Until 1998the statute said the Secretary "shall give preference to single persons who are elderly, disabled, or displaced persons before" other single persons.
- 1998Public Law 105-276 struck that sentence.
- Todayan agency "may adopt" a preference for single persons who are 62 or older, displaced, homeless or disabled "over other single persons" (24 CFR 982.207(b)(5)). It is optional.
- Today"In no event may any single person" who is a foster youth or "any other single person" be given "a housing unit assisted under this chapter of 2 or more bedrooms."
What it means: nothing in today's statute or in 24 CFR 982.207 requires an agency to rank single adults lower. Each agency may choose to, and some do.
Source: 42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)(3)(A) and its amendment notes, 2024 edition of the U.S. Code; 24 CFR 982.207.
Voucher Size for One Person
A single person's voucher is for a studio or a one-bedroom, and the agency picks which.
24 CFR 982.402(b)(7) says: "Unless a live-in-aide resides with the family, the family unit size for any family consisting of a single person must be either a zero or one-bedroom unit, as determined under the PHA subsidy standards."
- Live-in aidean approved aide "must be counted in determining the family unit size" (982.402(b)(6)). Philadelphia's plan gives single elderly or disabled clients with a live-in attendant two bedrooms.
- Elderly or disabled exceptionan agency may grant an exception justified by "age, sex, health, handicap, or relationship of family members or other personal circumstances" (982.402(b)(8)).
- Remaining family memberthe same paragraph lets an exception reach a remaining member of a tenant family.
What it means: for any other single person the exception "may not override" the studio or one-bedroom limit, whatever the reason.
Source: 24 CFR 982.402(b)(6) to (8); Philadelphia Housing Authority Administrative Plan, chapter 6.
The voucher size caps the subsidy and does not limit the unit. The family "may lease an otherwise acceptable dwelling unit with more bedrooms than the family unit size" (982.402(d)), and the payment standard stays at the smaller size. The arithmetic is in renting a 2-bedroom with a 1-bedroom voucher.
A single person can also rent one bedroom in a shared home where the agency offers that option: see can you have a roommate on Section 8.
Where Single Applicants Land on the Waiting List
A single applicant's place depends on the local preferences the agency has adopted, because federal rules require none.
An agency "may establish a system of local preferences," which must rest on "local housing needs and priorities" and be written in its administrative plan (24 CFR 982.207(a)).
| Preference | What the regulation allows | What it requires or forbids |
|---|---|---|
| Residency | A preference for people who live in the area | Residency requirements "are prohibited"; people who work or were hired to work there count as residents; length of residence cannot count |
| Working families | A preference where "the head, spouse or sole member is employed" | A sole member who is 62 or older or disabled gets the same benefit |
| Disability | A preference for families that include a person with disabilities | None for "a specific disability" |
| Domestic violence | Agencies "should consider" one | Nothing required |
| Single persons | Elderly, displaced, homeless or disabled singles "over other single persons" | Optional |
| Income | Targeting of extremely low income families under 982.201 | The agency "must not" reorder the list "for the purpose of selecting higher income families" |
What it means: a single adult with a job counts for a working preference, since the rule names a "sole member."
Source: 24 CFR 982.207(b) and (d).
Two limits protect applicants. Admission may not rest on discrimination "because a family includes children," or because of age, sex or disability (24 CFR 982.202(b)(3)). And among people with the same preference, the agency picks by date and time or by random draw, as how Section 8 lotteries work explains.
How Seven Housing Agencies Treat a Single Applicant
Four of the seven plans checked state a one-bedroom voucher for one person, and three rank some single adults behind other applicants in so many words.
| Agency | Where a single adult with no preference stands | Voucher size for one person | Where it is written |
|---|---|---|---|
| NYCHA (New York City) | Priority 6 of 6, "all other applicants," with families that fit no preference. Elderly and disabled people are priority 5. | 1 bedroom | Administrative Plan, May 2026, sections IV.B and XI |
| Philadelphia Housing Authority | A residency preference for people who live or work in the city; no rule for single people found | 1 bedroom | Administrative Plan, effective January 1, 2026, sections 5.5 and 6 |
| Chicago Housing Authority | Preferences include homeless referrals, working families and veterans; others go by lottery number | 1 bedroom "for the head of household" | Administrative Plan, effective October 1, 2025, chapters 4 and 5 |
| New Jersey DCA (state program) | "A preference for the admission of single persons with disabilities over other single person households" | 1 bedroom | Administrative Plan, state fiscal year from July 1, 2026, chapters 5 and 8 |
| Los Angeles (HACLA) | Preferences for veterans' families and city residents; the working-family preference was eliminated | Table lists one person at "0 - SRO" and "1-2" persons at 1 bedroom | Administrative Plan, January 2026, sections 5.17 and 10.8 |
| San Diego Housing Commission | Second tier. The first is for local families of two or more with a dependent, and individuals who are disabled, 62 or older, veterans or service members | Single room, studio or 1 bedroom all list one person | Administrative Plan, fiscal year 2026, chapters 2 and 5 |
| Miami-Dade | Preferences are not ranked; they include veterans, homeless referrals and displaced families | 0 or 1 bedroom | Administrative Plan, undated copy, chapter 2 |
What it means: the same single adult is last tier in New York, second tier in San Diego, behind disabled single people in New Jersey and in the general lottery in Chicago.
Source: the documents linked in each row. New Jersey's file is posted with "draft" in its name. San Diego's is the plan presented to its board on May 9, 2025. Chicago's plan has no line for single persons; its rule gives the head of household one bedroom.
Watch outLos Angeles reserves the right, "to address financial shortfalls," to decide whether "a single individual living in a one bedroom unit should have a zero voucher bedroom size." San Diego says it may change its subsidy standards "at any time, without prior notice." A one-bedroom voucher is a local policy.
Honolulu states the strictest version found. Its eligibility page says "elderly, disabled, or displaced applicants and families consisting of 2 or more persons shall have preference over a single person." That is a city web page; Honolulu's administrative plan was not read.
In New York, NYCHA's list is closed to new applicants. The other City and State lists are tracked in is Section 8 open right now.
Special Vouchers Open to Single Adults
Four voucher types reach single adults through a referral or a set-aside instead of the general list.
- Mainstream vouchersthey "assist non-elderly persons with disabilities" and otherwise run under the same rules as other vouchers (HUD).
- HUD-VASHrental assistance "for homeless Veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs." Veterans start at a VA medical center (HUD).
- Emergency Housing Vouchers70,000 vouchers for people who are homeless, at risk, or fleeing violence. Agencies may not reissue them after September 30, 2023, and "very few PHAs have remaining leasing authority" (HUD).
- Foster Youth to Independencefor youth aged 18 to 24 leaving foster care who are homeless or at risk, for up to 36 months, with a possible 24-month extension (HUD).
What it means: three of the four start with another agency, the VA, a child welfare agency or a homeless services system, so ask there as well as at the housing agency.
Source: the four HUD pages linked above, as read October 7, 2026.
How to Improve Your Odds as a Single Applicant
The moves that help are applying widely, claiming every preference that fits, and staying reachable.
- Apply to more than one agency. HUD tells applicants "you may need to apply to multiple Public Housing Agency waitlists" (HUD). No agency may require that an applicant already live in its area.
- Ask about Mainstream and other set-asides. Chicago and New Jersey both name Mainstream vouchers in their plans.
- Keep the application current. NYCHA closes an application when an update notice comes back "returned as undeliverable" or goes unanswered after two attempts.
How to Apply as a Single Adult
The process is the same as for any household, with two extra checks.
- 1Find the agencieslist every housing agency that covers places you would live, using the housing authority directory.
- 2Check which lists are openmost are closed most of the time. The open waiting list tracker shows current openings.
- 3Check the one-person income limitlook up the very low income figure for one person in that area on HUD's income limits page.
- 4Read the preferencessearch the agency's plan for "preference" and "single person." Note which you can document.
- 5Apply and keep proofsave the confirmation number and the date.
- 6Update every changenew address, phone, income or disability status, in writing or through the agency's portal.
- 7At selection, ask the voucher sizeconfirm whether the agency issues one person a studio or a one-bedroom voucher.
What it means: steps 4 and 7 are the two places a single applicant's result differs from a family's.
Source: 24 CFR 982.201, 982.207 and 982.402; HUD's Housing Choice Voucher page for tenants.
What Does Not Matter
Marital status, gender and sexual orientation play no part in whether one person qualifies.
- Marital status. The definition applies "regardless of ... marital status." Marrying later does not end a voucher: see can you be married on Section 8.
- Gender and sexual orientation. The definition applies regardless of both.
- Having no children. Admission may not rest on whether a family includes children.
- Age, within limits. The definition sets no age for "any other single person." Chicago's plan requires a head of household who is an adult or an emancipated minor with "the legal capacity to enter into a lease."
What Landlords Should Know
A single voucher holder's subsidy is sized for a studio or one-bedroom, whatever the unit.
- A larger unit can still work. The tenant may rent it if the rent fits; the payment standard stays at the voucher size.
- Screen the same way. Use the criteria applied to every other applicant.
- Small units find these tenants. Owners with studios and one-bedrooms can list a property for voucher holders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a single person with no kids get Section 8?
Yes. The federal definition of family includes "any other single person." Income, immigration status and screening decide eligibility.
Can a single man get Section 8?
Yes. The definition applies "regardless of actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status," and admission may not rest on sex.
What size voucher does a single person get?
A zero-bedroom or one-bedroom voucher, as the agency's subsidy standards say. Four of the seven plans checked state one bedroom; Los Angeles, San Diego and Miami-Dade also list a smaller size.
What is the income limit for one person on Section 8?
Generally 50 percent of area median income for a one-person household, and 75 percent of new admissions must be extremely low income. The dollar figures differ by area and are on HUD's income limits page.
Do families with children get priority over single people?
No federal rule gives it. Local plans can: San Diego's first tier names families of two or more with a dependent, and Honolulu's page prefers families of two or more over a single person.
Can a single college student get Section 8?
Usually not if the student is under 24, unmarried, not a veteran, without a dependent child and not disabled, unless the student and the parents are both income-eligible.
Can I get a 2-bedroom as a single person?
Only with an approved live-in aide or, for an elderly or disabled person or a remaining family member, an approved exception. Anyone may rent a larger unit if the rent fits.
Sources
- 24 CFR 5.403, Definitions (family)
- 24 CFR 982.207, Waiting list: Local preferences
- 24 CFR 982.402, Subsidy standards
- 42 U.S.C. 1437a, with amendment notes
- NYCHA Housing Choice Voucher Program Administrative Plan, effective May 2026
Next step: open your agency's plan from the housing authority directory and search it for "preference" and "single person" before the list opens. The national Section 8 guide covers the rest of the program.
Looking for a place that takes your voucher? Browse voucher-friendly listings on VoucherMatch.
Have a unit to rent? List your property and reach tenants who already have a voucher in hand.
Sources for this article (23)
- 24 CFR 5.403 (ecfr.gov)
- 24 CFR 982.4 (ecfr.gov)
- 24 CFR 982.201(a) (ecfr.gov)
- 24 CFR 5.603 (ecfr.gov)
- income limits page (huduser.gov)
- 24 CFR 5.612 (ecfr.gov)
- 24 CFR 982.207(b)(5) (ecfr.gov)
- 42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)(3)(A) (govinfo.gov)
- 24 CFR 982.402(b)(7) (ecfr.gov)
- Philadelphia Housing Authority Administrative Plan (pha.phila.gov)
- 24 CFR 982.202(b)(3) (ecfr.gov)
- Administrative Plan (nyc.gov)
- Administrative Plan (thecha.org)
- Administrative Plan (nj.gov)
- Administrative Plan (hacla.org)
- Administrative Plan (sdhc.org)
- Administrative Plan (miamidade.gov)
- eligibility page (honolulu.gov)
- HUD (hud.gov)
- HUD (hud.gov)
- HUD (hud.gov)
- HUD (hud.gov)
- HUD (hud.gov)
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