AffordableHousingOnline

What Is the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program?

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance program allows low-income renters to pay a portion of their monthly income for rent.

Section 8 Vouchers are in extremely high demand. Voucher holders can choose to live in a unit that is owned by a private landlord. However, Section 8 HCV waiting list openings are rare — a waiting list in some areas may not reopen for many years.

Read this guide to learn how to apply to the Section 8 HCV program.

Start the guide at Part 1: Who Qualifies for Section 8 Housing? or choose a topic from the list below.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Guide Guide

  1. Who Qualifies for Section 8 Housing?
    1. Basic Requirements
    2. Income Eligibility
    3. Restrictions and Preferences
    4. Common Disqualifiers
  2. How Do I Find an Open Section 8 Waiting List?
    1. Visit Affordable Housing Online.
    2. Search for your area on Affordable Housing Online.
    3. Sign up to Affordable Housing Online’s email alerts.
    4. Contact a housing authority
  3. How Do I Apply to a Section 8 Waiting List?
    1. Obtain the application.
    2. Complete the application.
    3. Submit the application.
  4. What Do I Do After Applying to a Section 8 Waiting List?
    1. Wait for your application to be processed.
    2. Confirm your waiting list status.
    3. Estimate your wait time.
    4. Stay in contact with the housing office.
    5. Attend final eligibility interview.
    6. Find a unit.
  5. How Do I Find a Unit with My Voucher?
    1. Where you can use a Section 8 voucher.
    2. Where you cannot use a Section 8 voucher
    3. Know the porting policy
  6. What If I'm Denied?
  7. Are there other voucher programs?
    1. Mainstream Voucher Program
    2. Non-Elderly Disabled (NED) Voucher Program