Housing Choice Voucher Program

The Housing Choice Voucher Program (formerly Section 8) provides rental assistance to help low income persons afford decent and safe rental housing. The Programs are funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and administered by public housing agencies throughout the country.

A person selected to participate in the Housing Choice Voucher program is issued a rental voucher and is then free to locate a dwelling unit suitable to the family's needs and desires in the private rental market. Once the family selects a unit, HACA must inspect the unit before initial leasing and at least annually thereafter to ensure that the unit meets HUD Housing Quality Standards (HQS). Once the unit passes the housing standards inspection, the agency will enter into a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Contract with the Owner who leases the unit to the family. Thereafter, HACA pays a portion of the rent, the HAP, to the owner on behalf of the family.

Current participants in the Housing Choice Voucher Program may choose to participate in Housing Authority's Family Self Sufficiency Program, which offers employment and other case-managed services designed to promote economic self-sufficiency.

For more information or to apply please contact:

Venus P. Bradford, Program Specialist
410-267-8000 ext. 118