Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program¶
Federal rental assistance program allowing low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities to choose and lease safe, decent housing in the private market. Administered by HUD through local Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) under CFDA 14.871.
Rental subsidy vouchers for private-market housing. Tenant pays approximately 30% of adjusted monthly income toward rent; the PHA pays the difference up to the local payment standard. Vouchers are portable across PHA jurisdictions. Income eligibility based on Area Median Income (AMI), not FPL — generally at or below 50% AMI, with 75% of new admissions at or below 30% AMI (extremely low income). Approximately 2.3 million households assisted. Waitlists are common, often 1-3+ years.
Eligibility¶
- U.S. citizenship or qualified immigrant status required