HUD Section 8 Tenant-Based (a.k.a. Housing Choice Vouchers)

« Back

Status: Available

Summary

HUD Tenant-Based Section 8 (also known as Housing Choice Vouchers) provides rental assistance to low-income persons across the United States.

Tenant Eligibility Criteria

Very low-income households, defined as households making up to 50% of the area median income (AMI). Housing authorities must provide 75% of their vouchers to extremely low-income applicants, defined as households making up to 30% of AMI.

Amount

Housing Choice Vouchers are based on the local Fair Market Rent (FMR) levels that are determined annually by HUD. Tenants pay 30% of their income and the voucher pays landlords the difference between the FMR for their area and their tenants' income.

Term

Vouchers last as long as the tenant continues to meet HUD's eligibility guidelines. Voucher recipients must certify their income on an annual basis.

Network Notes

• PHAs are required to submit an administrative plan to HUD and make it available to the public. The plan includes information on admission preferences, also known as priority populations. Each PHA has the authority to set these local preferences as long as they fall within the overall eligibility criteria of the program.
• PHAs can project-base up to 20% of their voucher allocation. Buildings that rely on tenat-based vouchers for operational income may approach the relevant agency to request project-basing.
• New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) receives an allocation of vouchers from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In New York City, both the NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA) and Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) receive and disburse vouchers.
• In most localities demand far exceeds the supply of Section 8 vouchers. As a result, most PHAs have long waiting lists.

Last updated: 08/30/2019

« Back