Starting a Small Business using my Section 8 Address

[pressley11539]

What is the name of your state? Illinois

 

[pressley11539]

I am on Section 8 and have been for a number of years. I currently have a very low income, and have been unemployed for 2 years. I have 25 years of secretarial experience, so I've decided to open a home-based secretarial service. I've registered my business with the State of IL as of 10/30/18, using my current address, which is the home I rent thru a private real estate company (I've live here for 14 years). Section 8 supplements my rent. I know I have to report any changes in my household within 10 days, but will I get into any trouble, or lose my voucher for running my business from my current address?

 

[adjusterjack]

A quick look at the website doesn't answer your question:

https://govthub.com/illinois-benefits-guide.aspx?c=section+8+housing

You might have to report the start up or just report income as it comes in, or both.

You'll have to call up and ask.

 

[LdiJ]

I am on Section 8 and have been for a number of years. I currently have a very low income, and have been unemployed for 2 years. I have 25 years of secretarial experience, so I've decided to open a home-based secretarial service. I've registered my business with the State of IL as of 10/30/18, using my current address, which is the home I rent thru a private real estate company (I've live here for 14 years). Section 8 supplements my rent. I know I have to report any changes in my household within 10 days, but will I get into any trouble, or lose my voucher for running my business from my current address?

No, because you are not running a business in the traditional sense. You are more in the "working from home" sense. What is most important is that you make sure that you report changes in your income as those changes happen.

 

[HRZ]

If and when you generate a net income You need to properly report same to any relevant authorities ....I get it that many a home based business operates inside Sec 8 housing with no income reporting ...and in some quarters there seems to be an entitlement attitude to do so with zero enforcement ...does not make it right and don't join the crowd on the low road.

 

[LdiJ]

If and when you generate a net income You need to properly report same to any relevant authorities ....I get it that many a home based business operates inside Sec 8 housing with no income reporting ...and in some quarters there seems to be an entitlement attitude to do so with zero enforcement ...does not make it right and don't join the crowd on the low road.

What? While its true that there are some potential self employment things that could happen totally off the books those things are few.

 

[HRZ]

Every single Section 8 applicant I got as as a LL but 2 was into some off the books income generation ...and as a LL I chose not to participate or enable such games . ..I'm not suggesting OP not try to make a successful go of a work at home venture ....I'm merely suggesting if she makes a net profit she be honest about it .

 

[FarmerJ]

You may want to check your city ordinances that define business traffic , EG years ago in the city of Edina Mn a woman I met there ran a business from her home where she created custom wicker type furniture and items at home and did indeed have customers come by to pick up finished items and also during the design stages , she was limited to the number of customers coming to her home per day or week ( I don't remember which now , its been 35 years ) point being that if its low to no traffic it may not be a issue with the city and as to your lease if the business is no traffic then there should not be a problem.

 

[HRZ]

THe problem may be if somebody fails to report net income in context of the amount of rent support the tenant receives

The local sacred cow business is a small dayncare center...but that's not relevant to OPs question.

 

[pressley11539]

Thank you for all your responses, it helped me a great deal! I do plan on being honest with Section 8 because I feel I have been blessed for having had the help over the years. It was because of this program I have been able to effectively raise my children and provide for them.

 

[Dandy Don]

But can you afford to find another place to live (without Section 8 assistance) if they ask you to move because they do not allow businesses to operate in their properties?

 

[LdiJ]

But can you afford to find another place to live (without Section 8 assistance) if they ask you to move because they do not allow businesses to operate in their properties?

As I said before, the OP is not going to be operating a business in her home in the traditional sense. She is going to be more in a "working from home" sense. Therefore, the landlord would have no reason to question what she is doing.

 

[Dandy Don]

Please look at the response to someone who asked a similar question to yours.

https://forum.freeadvice.com/threads/i-live-in-a-section-8-how-should-i-deal-with-starting-a-small-business.585993/

https://ajjcs.net/paper/main/2018/01/14/self-employed-individuals-in-affordable-housing-properties/


Is there some reason that you can't find a full-time job that would pay better than a secretarial service? Frankly, the jobs you would get from doing that would be very low pay. There is not that much demand for secretarial service nowadays because most people have their own computer and word processing software so they can do their own documents. State or federal income tax authorities would ask you periodically for estimated income tax payment that you may not be able to meet.

 

[DeenaCA]

The program rules for the housing choice voucher program ("Section 8") do permit self-employment and home-based businesses. They are considered self-sufficiency incentives. For example, see 24 Code of Federal Regulations 982.551(h)(5):

Members of the household may engage in legal profit-making activities in the unit, but only if such activities are incidental to primary use of the unit for residence by members of the family.

Of course you need to notify the housing authority as you indicated in your original post. As long as you are not using the subsidized unit for (just as an example) Avon storage while you live somewhere else, you should be fine.