The Section 8 housing voucher is a federally funded affordable housing program that helps low-income families, the elderly, and people who are disabled, rent and even purchase affordable housing.
The program is administered by The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and its official name is The Housing Choice Voucher, but many people still refer to it by its old name, as it will be referred to alternately in this guide.
How the Section 8 Voucher Works
There are two different types of vouchers in the Housing Choice Voucher program. The voucher may be either “project based” or “tenant based.” In each of the programs the tenants' rent is subsidized by the federal government - meaning the government pays a portion of your rent to the landlord.
Typically, the tenant pays no more than 30% of their income on rent. Thirty percent is generally considered to be “affordable housing” (if you pay more than 30% of your income on housing alone, you probably cannot afford to live in your current housing situation).
Project-based Section 8 Vouchers
With a project-based housing choice voucher, the tenant is confined to one specific apartment complex or “project.” Public housing agencies across the country allow a certain number of each of its apartment communities to be eligible for project-based section 8 vouchers.
Tenant-based Section 8 Vouchers
Tenant-based housing choice vouchers are generally the most sought-after, because they allow a tenant to utilize the voucher at any privately owned housing unit of their choice. The prospective tenant can choose any type of dwelling from a single room occupancy (SRO) to a single family home.
The landlord will have to agree to accept the section 8 voucher, and their unit must pass an inspection. The unit must pass the inspection process because HUD wants to insure that its participants are afforded a safe and decent place to live.
Other Benefits of the Section 8 Voucher Program
In addition to providing subsidized rent to its participants, the housing choice voucher program also provides a comprehensive family self-sufficiency program, and a homeownership program. Participants are also allowed to move any place in the country where their voucher is accepted, this feature is referred to as “portability” (porting in and out of one place to another).
How to Apply for a Section 8 Voucher
Typically, there is a waiting list to apply for a housing choice voucher. Due to the popularity of the program, the waiting list may take years to open up.
In some cases, people who live in homeless shelters, residents of battered women’s shelters, and people in other extreme situations may be placed on a priority waiting list to receive a voucher quicker than average.
In addition, the housing choice voucher waiting list may be shorter in parts of the country where the population is very low. In order to apply for a section 8 voucher, please contact your local public housing agency.
- Sources -
HUD Office of Housing Choice Vouchers
Rachelle Williams - Rachelle Williams has been writing on the web for 2 years. In addition to Suite101, Rachelle Williams is a contributing writer for Demand ...
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