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What are Section 8 housing choice vouchers?

 




The Section 8 housing choice voucher program is provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This program can offer you a voucher to help you afford safe, private housing. Section 8 vouchers are managed by your local public housing agency (PHA).

The housing choice voucher program is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses and apartments.

The participant is free to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program and is not limited to units located in subsidized housing projects.

Housing choice vouchers are administered locally by public housing agencies (PHAs). The PHAs receive federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer the voucher program.

A family that is issued a housing voucher is responsible for finding a suitable housing unit of the family's choice where the owner agrees to rent under the program. This unit may include the family's present residence. Rental units must meet minimum standards of health and safety, as determined by the PHA.

A housing subsidy is paid to the landlord directly by the PHA on behalf of the participating family. The family then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program. Under certain circumstances, if authorized by the PHA, a family may use its voucher to purchase a modest home.


How Section 8 housing vouchers work

Families with a low income, seniors, and people with disabilities may qualify to use Section 8 vouchers to find housing. 

  • You can choose any housing that meets the program requirements, such as a single-family home, townhouse, or apartment. 
  • Housing choice vouchers can pay for all or part of your rent. 
  • The PHA pays its part of the rent to the owner (landlord), and you as the tenant pay the difference. 

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