Allowing Section 8 Vouchers at 64 Unit

[Pat Jackson]

My partner and I have a 64 unit under contract in Southwest Missouri. Rents are WAY under market. So far it looks like there’s a shortage of clean rentals in the area. There’s also a shortage of section 8 rentals.

The current owners don’t accept section 8 vouchers. I’ve never had a section 8 tenants in any of my rentals to date (single family to 8 unit). I know section 8 has a stigma, but I don’t really buy it.

Are there any recommendations or stories on incorporating section 8 tenants? The fair market rent rate is well above what the units can rent for open market, so this is a large appeal. It’s a clean, quiet, slightly dated but still very safe complex.

Also, I assume there can’t be two rates for the same unit, an open market and section 8 rate? FYI it’s about $200 less open market than section 8 per door.