Section 8 Housing Waiting List Closes

Jacqueline Sit, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The waiting list for Section 8 housing will soon close due to an overwhelming amount of applicants waiting for a home.

"There are 1,400 applications coming in every month for Section 8 vouchers and we had to close the waiting list because we don't want to give applicants false hope," Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency Rental Assistance Program Director Deborah Jenkins said.

More than 12,000 families are waiting for rental assistance through OHFA with an average wait time of three to five years.

"OHFA will do everything within our power to expedite the reopening of the waiting list," Jenkins said.

The agency's Board of Trustees decided to close the program's list December 31. They don't know when it will reopen.

"I've met some of these families and I don't like doing this," said Dennis Shockley from OHFA. "But it just makes no sense to keep it open and raise false expectations."

Families in need of housing assistance can apply before the December 31 deadline at the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency's website.