On September 15, 2026, the City of Hawthorne is opening its Section 8 waiting list. If you need help paying for a safe apartment in the South Bay, this is your chance to get in line. You only have 48 hours to submit your Application Form. The application window opens today at midnight and closes sharply on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 11:59 PM.
Here, you will find out what you need to do to apply, how to check your status later, and the rules you must follow to keep your spot.
Who Can Apply for the Hawthorne Section 8 Waitlist?
To get on the list, your household must meet the basic rules set by the federal government:
- Income Limits: Total gross household income must fall at or below HUD limits for Los Angeles County (generally at or below 50% of the Area Median Income, with statutory preference for extremely low-income households).
- Citizenship: At least one person in your home must be a U.S. citizen or have eligible immigration status.
- Background Check: You will pass a criminal background check. Past drug crimes, violent offenses, or being kicked out of public housing for fraud will disqualify you.
How to Submit Your Application Today
The City of Hawthorne is only taking online applications during this two-day window. Do not wait until the last minute. The website will likely crash or slow down if everyone tries to apply at 11:00 PM on Wednesday.
Follow these steps to get your name into the lottery:
1. Gather Required Household Information:
- Full legal names, birth dates, and Social Security numbers for all household members.
- Total annual gross household income (wages, SSI/SSDI, child support, pensions, etc.).
- Current physical and mailing addresses, working phone number, and a valid email address.
2. Access the Portal:
- Go to the official City of Hawthorne Housing Department Section 8 page.
- Click the link for the Online HCV Pre-Application.
3. Create a login:
The system will ask you to create a username and password. Write them down on a piece of paper right now; you will need them later to check your status.
3. Submit the form:
Review all the details you filled in the application form, then submit before 11:59 PM on September 16.
How to Check Your Waitlist Status
You can check your status using one of these two official methods:
- Online: Go to www.waitlistcheck.com. Log in with the exact username and password you created when you applied today.
- By Phone: Call the automated status line at 1-877-288-7045. You will need to type in your birthday and Social Security number using your phone keypad to hear your current spot.
What Happens After You Apply?
Applying today does not mean you will receive a housing voucher immediately. The city uses a computer lottery to randomly select names. Applying on Tuesday does not put you ahead of someone who applies on Wednesday.
When your name is selected in the lottery, the city will send you a letter. This letter will invite you to an in-person interview. You generally have two to three weeks to respond. You will need to bring your original birth certificate, pay stubs, bank statements, and photo ID.
If you miss this appointment or forget to bring your original documents, they will remove your name from the list and give your spot to the next person.