Where Can Section 8 Vouchers Be Used?

When a person is unable to pay their rent, the government has a program that allows them to subsidize it through a voucher. These vouchers are used to help families afford a housing unit they would otherwise be unable to afford.

Applicants must meet certain household requirements, income and citizenship qualifications. They must also have a rental history.

Housing Choice Voucher Program

The Housing Choice Voucher Program is a federal government program that helps low-income families find and afford decent, safe and sanitary housing. Eligible households can use vouchers to pay for private rental properties, including single-family homes, townhomes and apartments.

The program is operated by local public housing agencies (PHAs) and funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Families must meet several criteria to receive a Section 8 voucher, including income and family size. They also must be U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens with a family income that does not exceed 30 percent of the area median income.

Typically, families will pay about 30 percent of their adjusted income to the PHA to cover their rent and utility costs. The PHA subsidizes the remaining portion of their rent through its Housing Assistance Payments contract with the landlord.

Public Housing Program

The Public Housing Program, which is administered by local public housing authorities or PHA’s, provides low income households with affordable rental apartments. Typically, a family living in public housing pays 30 percent of their adjusted income toward rent.

A voucher is also used to subsidize the gap between the tenant’s payment and the market rent, which is typically capped. In addition, the voucher allows the family to receive a local utility allowance, which the agency sets based on typical costs in the area.

In project based Section 8, a voucher is tied to a specific apartment in a public housing development, and the voucher is not transferable to another unit, except as permitted under federal rules.

In addition to the vouchers, families receive monthly subsidy payments directly to building owners that cover the difference between the tenant’s rental payment and market rent. These subsidies can help families pay for essential expenses, including health care, child care, and utility bills.

Section 8 Assistance Program

The Section 8 Assistance Program enables low-income families to afford safe and decent housing. It works by partnering with the owners of existing housing units, apartment communities and private landlords throughout New York.

When a family or individual receives a housing voucher, they can use it to rent any home or apartment that meets the program requirements. The family can use the voucher to rent a single-family home, townhouse or apartment in the private market.

Tenant-based rental assistance is the main form of Section 8 housing assistance. It allows families to rent privately owned homes that meet program guidelines, including a physical inspection and approval by the local PHA.

Project-based rental assistance differs from tenant-based rental assistance in that it subsidizes the rents of specific units within a building. Most projects offer both types of rental assistance.

Portability is a benefit of the Section 8 program that permits eligible HCV families to move to other cities or states without losing their rent assistance. To be able to move, the recipient must show that their previous landlord is in good standing with no money owed and no damages greater than normal wear and tear.

Local Public Housing Agencies

If you need help finding a housing unit to rent, you can turn to your local public housing agency. These agencies receive federal funds from HUD to help families find and rent units of their choice that meet program requirements, such as health and safety standards.

PHAs can assist with housing searches by referring applicants to property owners who may have units available for rent under project-based vouchers. Families can use their vouchers to pay a portion of the rent at these properties, and the PHA will cover the remainder.

A family must lease a housing unit under the voucher within a set period of time (which is usually 60 days), or they lose it. Long waiting periods are common; some PHAs only accept applications during certain time periods.

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program is a government-run program that helps low-income people pay their rent on private rental properties. It can be a difficult process to qualify for, but it is worth the effort.