See details for your state

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

HUD Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program

BenefitHousing AssistanceRecurringRolling

What it may cover

$24K

Enrollment

Open enrollment

Where available

All 50 states (administered by ~2,200 local Public Housing Agencies)

What you get

The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Participants find their own housing and use the voucher to pay for all or part of the rent. The program is administered by local public housing agencies (PHAs).

Help with rent, housing costs, or finding stable housing through a local housing agency or approved provider.

Ask about priority lists if you are homeless, fleeing violence, disabled, elderly, or caring for children.

Do you qualify?

Check what applies to you. Your answers are saved on this device so you can come back later.

0/5 confirmed

Household income must be at or below 50% of Area Median Income for the county or metropolitan area?
Are you a US citizen or eligible non-citizen with qualifying immigration status?
Have you not violated any federal, state, or local anti-drug laws, or been evicted from public housing for drug-related activity within the last 3 years?
Do you currently owe money to any public housing authority?
Do you pass criminal background check?

What to bring

If you do not have one of these, apply anyway and ask what substitutes are accepted.

1HCV application submitted to your local Public Housing Authority (PHA) — find yours at hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/pha/contacts (many PHAs have waitlists and open enrollment only periodically)
2Government-issued photo ID for all adult household members
3Social Security cards or documentation for all household members
4Birth certificates for all household members to verify ages and family relationships
5Proof of all household income (pay stubs, SSA benefit letters, TANF award letters, child support orders) for the past 12 months
6Current landlord reference letter (if applicable)

How to apply

Most applications take about 180 days to process after submission.

1Find the right local officeUse your ZIP code to confirm the public housing agency that handles HUD Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.
2Apply online, by phone, or in personUse the official application path and keep a copy of anything you submit.
3Complete the interview or verificationMany benefits require a short call, appointment, or document check.
4Watch for a decisionKeep mail, email, and phone open so you do not miss follow-up requests.

Find local help

Your ZIP helps you confirm the right local office and state-specific rules.

Program impact

Wait lists for Section 8 vouchers average 2–8 years. Apply as early as possible — many PHAs have closed waitlists.

People helped

5 million households

with active vouchers

Annual federal budget

$30 billion

Average benefit

Covers portion of rent — tenant pays 30% of adjusted income

Established

1974

You may also qualify for

Other programs in the same category that often go hand-in-hand.

U.S. Department of the Treasury

Emergency Rental Assistance Program

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Good Neighbor Next Door

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

HOPWA — Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS

See details for your state

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

HUD Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program

BenefitHousing AssistanceRecurringRolling

What it may cover

$24K

Enrollment

Open enrollment

Where available

All 50 states (administered by ~2,200 local Public Housing Agencies)

What you get

Help with rent, housing costs, or finding stable housing through a local housing agency or approved provider.

Ask about priority lists if you are homeless, fleeing violence, disabled, elderly, or caring for children.

Do you qualify?

Check what applies to you. Your answers are saved on this device so you can come back later.

0/5 confirmed

Household income must be at or below 50% of Area Median Income for the county or metropolitan area?
Are you a US citizen or eligible non-citizen with qualifying immigration status?
Have you not violated any federal, state, or local anti-drug laws, or been evicted from public housing for drug-related activity within the last 3 years?
Do you currently owe money to any public housing authority?
Do you pass criminal background check?

What to bring

If you do not have one of these, apply anyway and ask what substitutes are accepted.

1HCV application submitted to your local Public Housing Authority (PHA) — find yours at hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/pha/contacts (many PHAs have waitlists and open enrollment only periodically)
2Government-issued photo ID for all adult household members
3Social Security cards or documentation for all household members
4Birth certificates for all household members to verify ages and family relationships
5Proof of all household income (pay stubs, SSA benefit letters, TANF award letters, child support orders) for the past 12 months
6Current landlord reference letter (if applicable)

How to apply

Most applications take about 180 days to process after submission.

1Find the right local officeUse your ZIP code to confirm the public housing agency that handles HUD Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.
2Apply online, by phone, or in personUse the official application path and keep a copy of anything you submit.
3Complete the interview or verificationMany benefits require a short call, appointment, or document check.
4Watch for a decisionKeep mail, email, and phone open so you do not miss follow-up requests.

Find local help

Your ZIP helps you confirm the right local office and state-specific rules.

Program impact

Wait lists for Section 8 vouchers average 2–8 years. Apply as early as possible — many PHAs have closed waitlists.

People helped

5 million households

with active vouchers

Annual federal budget

$30 billion

Average benefit

Covers portion of rent — tenant pays 30% of adjusted income

Established

1974

You may also qualify for

Other programs in the same category that often go hand-in-hand.

U.S. Department of the Treasury

Emergency Rental Assistance Program

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Good Neighbor Next Door

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

HOPWA — Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS