HUD Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)

The Housing Choice Voucher program (commonly called Section 8) is HUD's largest rental-assistance program. Local Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) issue vouchers to eligible low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities. The tenant pays roughly 30% of adjusted household income toward rent and utilities; the voucher pays the rest directly to the landlord. Waitlists are long - often years - but many PHAs give preferences to households with medical hardship, homelessness risk, or disability. Apply at every PHA whose waitlist is open; you can apply to multiple.

Who qualifies

A quick look at who this program is designed to help.

Must be a very low-income household (typically ≤ 50% of Area Median Income, with most vouchers reserved for ≤ 30% AMI). Must be a US citizen or eligible non-citizen. Local PHA may give preference to households that are homeless, paying more than 50% of income on rent, involuntarily displaced, or have a family member with a disability or serious medical condition. Must pass a criminal background check.

What you'll need

Have these ready before you start the application.

• Birth certificates and Social Security cards for all household members, photo ID, proof of income (pay stubs, SSI/SSDI awards, TANF), proof of assets, tax returns, and disability or medical documentation if claiming preferences.

How it works

1. Find your local PHA at hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/pha/contacts. 2. Check which PHAs have open waitlists - most close theirs when full. 3. Apply to every open waitlist you qualify for (waitlists can take 2–10 years in many cities). 4. Keep your contact info updated with the PHA annually so you don't fall off the list. 5. If selected, attend a briefing and receive your voucher, then search for a unit within 60–120 days.