Section 8 / Leased Housing

The HCV Program is a federal-subsidized program for assisting very low income families and providing them with an affordable decent, safe, and sanitary apartment/house in the private market.  

A participant in the HCV Program is free to choose any housing in the private market that meets the requirements of the program and is not limited to units located in subsidized housing projects.

The HCV Program is administered locally by public housing agencies (PHAs). PHAs receive federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer the HCV Program.

A family that is issued a HC Voucher is responsible to find a suitable housing unit of the family's choice where the owner agrees to rent under the HCV program. Rental units must meet minimum standards of health and safety, as determined by the PHA, as well as the federal Housing Quality Standard inspection regulations.

A housing subsidy is paid to the owner directly by the PHA on behalf of the participating family. The family then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the owner and the amount subsidized by the program.