The Denver Housing Authority, also known as DHA, accepts applications for its Housing Choice Voucher program through an annual lottery. The Housing Choice Voucher program is commonly called Section 8.
For the 2027 voucher program, the Denver Section 8 lottery opened on September 17, 2026, and remains open for 48 hours. Online entries are accepted from 12:01 a.m. on September 17 through 11:59 p.m. on September 18, 2026.
The lottery is free to enter. However, entering the lottery does not guarantee that a household will receive a Housing Choice Voucher. DHA has a limited number of vouchers and says that selections depend on available funding.
This guide breaks down the eligibility rules, income limits, and exact steps to submit your application safely and correctly.
Denver Housing Authority Section 8 Lottery 2026
The Denver Housing Authority does not use a regular first come, first served waiting list for its Housing Choice Voucher program. Instead, DHA opens an online lottery once a year.
People who want to participate must register during the announced lottery period. Lottery entries from one year do not carry over to the next year. If you are not selected, you must register again when the next lottery opens.
Denver Section 8 Lottery Application Dates
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Housing agency | Denver Housing Authority |
| Program | Housing Choice Voucher |
| Common name | Section 8 |
| Lottery | 2027 HCV Lottery |
| Opening date | September 17, 2026 |
| Opening time | 12:01 a.m. |
| Closing date | September 18, 2026 |
| Closing time | 11:59 p.m. |
| Application method | Online |
| Cost | Free |
| Selection method | Computerized random selection |
The lottery is open for only 48 hours, so applicants need to submit their entry before the closing time.
Denver Section 8 Lottery Application Online
The official Denver Section 8 lottery application is available through the Denver Housing Authority website.
Applicants can use a computer, tablet, or smartphone with internet access to enter the lottery. DHA says the registration process takes less than 10 minutes when the applicant has the required information ready.
Information Needed for the Lottery
You should have the following information available when completing the online registration:
- Your full name
- Social Security number
- Date of birth
- Household size
- Income range
- Mailing address
- Other basic household information requested by DHA
Enter your Social Security number carefully. DHA says the SSN entered during registration is needed later to check the lottery status. After submitting the entry, print the confirmation page or save your lottery number for your records.
How Does the Denver Section 8 Lottery Work?
DHA uses a random lottery system to ensure every eligible family has a fair chance of receiving federal rental assistance. Because demand far exceeds available funding, entries do not carry over to the following year. If you applied last year but were not selected, you must submit a new application during this current 48-hour window.
Submitting an entry places your name in the pool; it does not guarantee that you will receive a voucher. As federal funds become available throughout the year, DHA’s computer system randomly selects lottery numbers.
Who Can Apply for the Denver Section 8 Lottery?
Before applying, ensure that the primary applicant meets all the basic criteria established by the Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD) and the DHA:
Generally, the person registering must:
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Be a U.S. citizen or have eligible immigrant status with the legal right to sign a lease in Colorado.
- Have no outstanding debt owed to any subsidized housing program.
- Have no evictions from federally assisted housing within the last five years.
- Have no evictions from federally assisted housing for drug-related criminal activity in the last three years.
- Not be a registered sex offender, and have no convictions for manufacturing or producing methamphetamine on public housing premises.
Meeting these requirements allows a person to participate in the lottery, but it does not guarantee a voucher. If a lottery number is selected, DHA will require additional information and documentation before determining final eligibility.
Denver Section 8 Income Limits 2026
DHA lists income limits based on household size. The limits below are effective April 1, 2026.
50%AMI Income Limits
| Household Size | Maximum Income |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $50,400 |
| 2 people | $57,600 |
| 3 people | $64,800 |
| 4 people | $72,000 |
| 5 people | $77,800 |
| 6 people | $83,550 |
| 7 people | $89,300 |
| 8 people | $95,050 |
DHA also publishes the 30% and 80% ‘Area Median Income’ limits. Which income level applies to a family depends on program requirements and the family’s circumstances.
30% AMI Income Limits
| Household Size | Maximum Income |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $30,250 |
| 2 people | $34,600 |
| 3 people | $38,900 |
| 4 people | $43,200 |
| 5 people | $46,700 |
| 6 people | $50,150 |
| 7 people | $53,600 |
| 8 people | $57,050 |
80% AMI Income Limits
| Household Size | Maximum Income |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $74,800 |
| 2 people | $84,450 |
| 3 people | $96,150 |
| 4 people | $106,800 |
| 5 people | $115,350 |
| 6 people | $123,900 |
| 7 people | $132,450 |
| 8 people | $141,000 |
These figures are the income limits currently listed by DHA for April 1, 2026.
How to Apply for the Denver Section 8 Lottery Online
Applicants can follow these steps:
- Visit the official Denver Housing Authority HCV Lottery page.
- Complete the online lottery entry during the official registration period.
- Enter accurate information about the registering household member.
- Submit only one entry per household.
- Print or save the confirmation page.
- Record the lottery number for future reference.
- Keep your mailing address and contact information updated with DHA.
Registration typically takes less than 10 minutes. Applicants may need to provide their name, Social Security number, date of birth, number of family members, income range, and mailing address. The DHA advises applicants to enter their Social Security number accurately, as it may be required later to check their lottery status.
Can You Submit More Than One Denver Section 8 Lottery Entry?
No, DHA allows only one lottery entry per household. Submitting more than one entry could result in all entries from that household being disqualified. Therefore, applicants should avoid submitting a second entry simply because they did not receive immediate confirmation or wish to correct information.
Does Entering the Lottery Guarantee a Section 8 Voucher?
No, registering for the Denver Section 8 lottery only gives the applicant a chance to be selected; there is no guarantee that they will be chosen or receive a voucher.
However, the DHA has warned that vouchers are available in limited numbers. The agency states that due to reduced federal funding, it did not select names from the HCV lottery in 2025 or 2026.
The DHA also notes that, based on current funding levels, it may not be able to select names from the 2027 lottery either. The agency will continue to monitor funding and provide updates if more vouchers become available.
This is an important point for those applying in 2026: fully registering for the Denver Section 8 lottery does not mean you have been approved for rental assistance.
Denver Section 8 Lottery Status, How to check
Once the results are out, the DHA provides a dedicated online portal for applicants to check their status. Follow these steps to check denver housing authority lottery application status online:
- Visit the official DHA lottery results page: sites.denverhousing.org/Templates/S8LotteryResults.aspx
- Enter your nine-digit Social Security Number (SSN) exactly as you provided it in your original lottery application.
- Click the “Check S8 Lottery Status” button.
- Click on Submit button.
What If Your Address Changes?
It is important to keep your contact information up to date. If the DHA sends an application to an old address, the family might miss the deadline to respond.
If your address changes, DHA instructs applicants to send updated information to:
Denver Housing Authority
Attn: Housing Choice Voucher Lottery
1401 Mariposa St.
Denver, CO 80204
The letter should include your new contact information, lottery number if known, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. People experiencing homelessness can also use a mailing address belonging to a friend, relative, case worker or shelter, subject to DHA’s requirements.
Is the Denver Section 8 Lottery Free?
Yes, DHA clearly warns applicants not to pay money to anyone to be included in the ‘Housing Choice Voucher’ lottery. If someone asks for money to submit a ‘Denver Housing Authority Section 8’ application or promises a voucher in exchange for money, do not give them money. DHA says such demands are fraudulent. While registering, use only the official website of DHA.
Denver Housing Authority Contact Details
For general Housing Choice Voucher questions, applicants can contact:
- Email: section8@denverhousing.org
- Phone: 720-932-3023
Official information is available on these DHA pages:
Denver Section 8 Lottery Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Denver Section 8 lottery open?
The 2027 Denver Housing Choice Voucher lottery opened at 12:01 a.m. on September 17, 2026, and closes at 11:59 p.m. on September 18, 2026.
Can I apply for Denver Section 8 online?
Yes, the DHA accepts online entries for the HCV lottery during the announced registration period. A computer, tablet, or smartphone with internet access can be used for this purpose.
Does lottery registration guarantee a voucher?
No, registration merely includes the applicant’s name in the lottery. Selection depends on a random draw and the availability of funding and vouchers.
Conclusion
The Denver Housing Authority’s ‘Housing Choice Voucher Program’ offers eligible families the opportunity to receive rental assistance through the ‘Section 8 Program.’The key thing to know about the Denver Section 8 lottery is that it differs from the standard waiting list. DHA opens registration once a year, and applicants must apply within the designated timeframe. The 2027 lottery opened on September 17 and will close on September 18, 2026.
Applicants should submit only one entry, retain their confirmation details, and notify DHA if their mailing address changes. DHA also notes that voucher funding is currently limited; therefore, participating in the lottery does not guarantee that a family will be selected or receive assistance. For the most current information, applicants should rely on the Denver Housing Authority’s official Housing Choice Voucher pages rather than third-party websites.
This article is for general information. Dates, income limits, funding, and eligibility requirements may change. Always verify the latest details on the official Denver Housing Authority website.