Housing advocates say this will be a huge help for those in need, but fear the demand outweighs the supply.
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. — For the first time in a decade, Prince George’s County is reopening applications for the Housing Choice Voucher Program, widely known as Section 8, giving thousands of residents their first chance in years to qualify for rental assistance.
The program helps eligible tenants choose where they want to live, with the county covering a portion of the rent based on income. For many facing housing insecurity, the reopening represents long-awaited stability.
The application window runs from Dec. 1 through Dec. 5.
Calondra Young has lived in Prince George’s County all her life and has become a voice for affordable housing. She says the demand for rental assistance only continues to grow.
“It’s very dire. The need is so dire,” she said.
Young experienced homelessness once before and says she is again at risk. The reopening, she says, brings something many people haven’t felt in years, possibility.
“The waitlist opening can represent hope, stability, and dignity for people like myself,” Young said.
If accepted, families typically contribute around 30% of their adjusted income toward rent, and the voucher covers the remainder. Housing advocates say that support could be life-changing, but the county’s need far surpasses available space.
“People are living in their cars, couch surfing, overcrowding apartments, just to survive,” Young said.
Getting onto the list isn’t guaranteed. Everyone who applies will enter a pool, and from that pool, 5,000 names will be selected through a random lottery.
“It opens a door for families who have been shut out for a decade,” Young said.
When asked why the waitlist had not opened sooner, a county spokesperson said the Housing Authority must first clear its existing list before taking new applications.
“The Housing Authority’s existing wait list has to be fully exhausted before pre-applications can be accepted to establish a new wait list. The wait list opening this year is following standard protocol. There was a high volume of pre-applicants for the wait list in 2015. Through their lottery system, eligible pre-applicants are selected at random to be placed on the list, and when that list is fully exhausted, pre-applications for the wait list will open again,” the county said.
Young hopes more is done in addition to the waitlist being opened.
“We need ongoing investment in affordable communities. Stronger tenant protections. Consistent action—not once every 10 years,” she said.
Applications for the Housing Choice Voucher waitlist open Dec. 1–5 at select in-person sites:
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Prince George’s County Memorial Library, Oxon Hill Branch
Time: 12 pm – 4 pm
6200 Oxon Hill Rd, Oxon Hill, MD 20784 -
Sports & Learning Complex
Time: 10 am – 4 pm
8001 Sheriff Road, Landover, MD 20785 -
Prince George’s County Memorial Library, Laurel Branch
Time: 12 pm – 4 pm
507 7th Street, Laurel, MD 20707