A housing voucher is a form of rental assistance provided primarily by the U.S. government to help low-income individuals and families afford safe and decent housing in the private rental market. The most common program is the Housing Choice Voucher Program, also known as Section 8. Key features of a housing voucher include:
- It subsidizes rent so that the tenant pays about 30% of their income toward rent, while the voucher covers the remaining cost to the landlord
- Voucher holders can choose their own housing, including apartments, single-family homes, condos, or townhouses, as long as the unit meets program requirements
- The program is tenant-based, meaning the assistance is attached to the individual or family, not to a specific property, allowing mobility and choice of location within the jurisdiction of the issuing public housing agency (PHA)
- The voucher program is federally funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and administered locally by PHAs
- Eligibility is generally limited to very low-income households, including families, elderly persons, veterans, and people with disabilities
- There are also project-based vouchers tied to specific housing units, but the standard housing choice voucher allows tenants to select their own housing
In summary, a housing voucher is a government-issued subsidy that helps eligible low-income renters afford housing by limiting their rent payment to about 30% of their income, with the government paying the rest directly to landlords. This program aims to provide housing stability and choice for vulnerable populations
