Section 8 housing

What are Section 8 housing choice vouchers?

The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program, also called Section 8, is run by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The program gives you a voucher to help you afford safe, private housing. Your local public housing agency (PHA) manages Section 8 vouchers.

How Section 8 housing vouchers work

Specific groups may qualify to use Section 8 vouchers to find housing, including:

• Families with a low income
• Seniors
• People with disabilities

Here is what to expect from the program:

• 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. 

Visit HUD’s housing choice voucher fact sheet to: 

• Get an overview of the program
• Find answers to frequently asked questions

Find out if you are eligible for Section 8 housing

Eligibility for Section 8 housing is based on:

• Your total annual gross income - see HUD’s Section 8 income limits data.
• Your family's size
• If you are a U.S. citizen or non-citizen who has an eligible immigration status 

Find your local PHA to learn if you are eligible for a housing choice voucher.

How to apply for Section 8 housing

To apply for a Section 8 housing choice voucher or check the status of your application, contact: 

• Your local PHA
• Your local HUD office if you need more advanced help

Waiting lists and long waiting periods for vouchers are common because HUD and local PHAs have limited resources. 

• A PHA may temporarily close its waiting list when it has more families on the list than it can help.
• Check back with your local PHA’s website to find out when the waiting list will reopen.

Find your local public housing agency