Generally, no, you cannot typically get a 4-bedroom unit with a 3-bedroom Section 8 voucher.
Understanding Section 8 Voucher Bedroom Sizes
Housing agencies determine the appropriate bedroom size for a Section 8 voucher based on the household's size and composition. The primary goal of the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program is to provide adequate, not excessive, housing for eligible families.
Why a Larger Unit Is Usually Not Approved
Using a voucher for a unit with more bedrooms than approved is generally prohibited because you would be considered overhoused. This means the housing agency would be subsidizing more housing than is deemed necessary for your household size according to program regulations.
The housing agency typically will not approve you for an apartment or house with a greater number of bedrooms than your voucher is approved for. Section 8 regulations generally prohibit this unless there is a specific and valid reason to make an exception.
General Guidelines for Voucher Use
Here's a quick look at the typical scenario:
| Voucher Bedroom Size | Desired Unit Bedroom Size | Typical Outcome | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Bedrooms | 3 Bedrooms | Approved | Matches voucher size. |
| 3 Bedrooms | 4 Bedrooms | Generally Not Approved | Leads to being "overhoused." |
| 3 Bedrooms | 2 Bedrooms | Potentially Approved | Often allowed to go smaller, but the rent subsidy would still be calculated based on the 3-bedroom Fair Market Rent (FMR), and you would pay the difference if the smaller unit's rent exceeds the payment standard. |
Potential Exceptions
While rare, there might be a "reasonable or valid basis" for an exception to the overhousing rule, though these are typically very specific and determined on a case-by-case basis by the Public Housing Agency (PHA). Examples might include:
- Medical Necessity: A documented medical need requiring an additional room (e.g., for medical equipment or a live-in aide).
- Reasonable Accommodation: As a reasonable accommodation for a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or Fair Housing Act.
- Lack of Available Units: In extremely rare cases, if no suitable units matching the voucher size are available and a larger unit is the only option, a PHA might consider an exception, but this is highly uncommon and usually involves the tenant paying a larger portion of the rent.
Even if an exception is granted, the subsidy amount you receive would still be based on the payment standard for your approved voucher size (e.g., a 3-bedroom payment standard). If the rent for the 4-bedroom unit exceeds this payment standard, you would be responsible for paying the difference, in addition to your regular tenant portion of the rent. This can make a larger unit financially unfeasible.
What to Do If You Need More Space
If your family size has increased, making a 3-bedroom unit insufficient, you should:
- Contact Your Public Housing Agency (PHA): Inform them of the change in your household composition.
- Request a Voucher Size Re-evaluation: Your PHA will review your new household size and determine if you are eligible for a larger voucher (e.g., a 4-bedroom voucher). This process requires documentation of new household members.
- Seek Appropriate Units: Look for units that match your approved voucher size to ensure the subsidy can be applied effectively.
In summary, attempting to use a 3-bedroom Section 8 voucher for a 4-bedroom unit is typically not allowed due to "overhousing" regulations, unless a specific, valid exception is approved by your housing agency.
