How do I apply for Section 8 in Delaware?

Apply to the local public housing agency that serves the area where you want to live. Each agency runs its own waiting list; check its official site to see whether the list is open.

Section 8 in Delaware: Housing Authorities and How to Apply

Section 8 (the Housing Choice Voucher program) is run by local public housing agencies (PHAs). You apply to the agency that serves where you want to live; many keep waiting lists that open only at times. Here are the agencies serving Delaware's largest areas, from HUD's official contact list and each agency's site.

Is it illegal for a Delaware landlord to refuse Section 8? Yes. Statewide ban on refusing to rent, or renting on different terms, because of source of income, defined to include any lawful income and rental payments from any government or private assistance program (covers housing vouchers). Landlords may still apply income-sufficiency and credit criteria in a commercially reasonable way without regard to source. A landlord may deny an application if a public housing authority fails to follow the standardized voucher tenancy-approval sequence. 6 Del. C. §§ 4602(29), 4603(b), 4607(h), (j); 25 Del. C. § 5116

Housing authorities in Delaware

Wilmington Housing Authority — Wilmington, New Castle County
Housing Choice Voucher, Public Housing
Phone: 302-429-6701 (TTY 800-232-5460)
How to apply / waiting list
New Castle County Housing Authority — New Castle, New Castle County
Phone: (302) 395-5600
Newark Housing Authority — Newark, New Castle County
Housing Choice Voucher, Public Housing
Phone: (302) 366-0826
How to apply / waiting list — Senior (age 62+) public housing waiting list: open (as of 2026-10-24). Status of other lists not stated.
Delaware State Housing Authority (Housing Delaware) — Dover, Kent County, Sussex County
Housing Choice Voucher, Moving to Work, Section 811 Project Rental Assistance, State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP)
Phone: (302) 739-4263; toll-free (888) 363-8808; Housing Admissions (waiting list) (302) 739-6940
How to apply / waiting list

Source: HUD public housing agency contact list. Check the agency's own site before applying; waiting lists open and close.

Statewide housing agency

Delaware State Housing Authority (Housing Delaware) — Runs Housing Choice Vouchers and Moving to Work in Kent and Sussex counties, Section 811 and the State Rental Assistance Program (referral only), plus eviction prevention resources. New Castle County residents apply to their local housing authority.

Help paying rent in Delaware

Housing Delaware eviction prevention — Eviction prevention information and resources from the state housing agency.
State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP) — State rental vouchers by referral only, from the Department of Health and Social Services or the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families.

How to apply

Find the housing authority for the city or county where you want to live (list above).
Check whether its voucher waiting list is open; many open for short windows or use a lottery.
Apply only through the agency's official site or office. Applying is free — no one may charge you to get on a list.
Keep your contact information current with the agency so you do not lose your place.
When a voucher is issued, you find a rental whose rent fits the agency's payment standard and that passes inspection.

Rent levels (HUD Fair Market Rent) and local help by county

Delaware tenant rights · Free legal help in Delaware · Section 8 in other states

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.