Anyone pursuing housing assistance in the Sebastian County metropolitan area should apply for housing assistance through FSHA.
The FSHA determines initial eligibility based on three factors:
- Annual gross income*
- Federal preference
- Criminal record.
FSHA may request further documentation to determine if the applicant qualifies. FSHA will deny Section 8 applicants who demonstrates negative actions or behaviors which will have a detrimental effect on the neighboring residents and environment.
*The FSHA uses income guidelines established by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Below are the guidelines for the Sebastian County area.
2023 Established Income Limits by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
| |
Extremely Low Income
(Subsidized Housing)
|
Very Low Income 50% of Median
(Section 8 Voucher)
|
|
1 Person
|
$14,580
|
$22,500
|
|
2 Person
|
$19,720
|
$25,700
|
|
3 Person
|
$24,860
|
$28,900
|
|
4 Person
|
$30,000
|
$32,100
|
|
5 Person
|
$34,700*
|
$34,700
|
|
6 Person
|
$37,250*
|
$37,250
|
|
7 Person
|
$39,850*
|
$39,850
|
|
8 Person
|
$42,400*
|
$42,400
|
Median Income - $65,700
Sebastian County is part of the Fort Smith, AR-OK HUD Metro Fair Market Rent Area which includes: Crawford County, AR; Sebastian County, AR; and Sequoyah County, OK.
*The FY 2014 Consolidated Appropriations Act changed the definition of extremely low-income to be the greater of 30/50ths (60 percent) of the Section 8 very low-income limit or the poverty guideline as established by: the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS}, provided that this amount is not greater than the Section 8 50% very low-income limit. Consequently, the extremely low income limits may equal the very low (50%) income limits.