What Is Section 8 Housing? The Housing Choice Voucher Explained
How the largest rental-assistance program in the U.S. works, who qualifies, and how to apply.
Section 8 housing explained in plain language: how the Housing Choice Voucher works, who qualifies, how much rent you pay, and how to apply.
Section 8 housing is the common name for the federal Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, the largest rental-assistance program in the United States. It helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing by paying part of their rent directly to a private landlord. The tenant pays roughly 30% of adjusted household income, and the voucher covers the rest, up to a local limit called the payment standard.
Two kinds of "Section 8"
- Tenant-based vouchers (Housing Choice Vouchers). You rent from a private landlord and the voucher moves with you.
- Project-based and public housing. The subsidy is attached to a specific building or development run by a public housing authority; rent is income-based and you apply to that development.
Who qualifies
Eligibility is based on household income — generally at or below 50% of the Area Median Income, with priority for households below 30% — plus citizenship or eligible immigration status and a background check. Income limits vary by area and household size.
How much rent you pay
In both the voucher program and public housing, your rent is income-based, about 30% of adjusted household income. There is no flat "Section 8 rent"; what you pay rises and falls with your income.
How to apply
Section 8 is administered by local public housing authorities (PHAs). To apply, find the PHA for the area where you want to live, check whether its waitlist is open, and submit an application — many waitlists open periodically and use a lottery. Once selected, you complete an eligibility interview and, for vouchers, search for a unit within the payment standard.
Your rights
Federal Fair Housing law protects you from discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, and disability. Some states and cities additionally protect source of income, meaning landlords there cannot refuse your voucher — but this varies by location.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does Section 8 pay for?
- It pays the difference between about 30% of your income and the unit's rent, up to the local payment standard, directly to your landlord.
- Is Section 8 the same as public housing?
- They are related but different. Public housing is government-owned housing with income-based rent, while a Section 8 voucher lets you rent from a private landlord.
- How do I get on the Section 8 waitlist?
- Apply through the local public housing authority when its waitlist is open. Openings are periodic and often filled by lottery.