Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)

Also known as: Section 8 · HCV · Housing Choice Vouchers · tenant-based rental assistance

Pays part of the rent straight to a private landlord for a household that qualifies. You choose a home that meets the program's rules. Your share of rent and utilities is usually based on 30% of adjusted monthly income. If the gross rent is above the agency's payment standard, you pay the extra cost. When the agency first approves your move into that home, your total share cannot exceed 40% of adjusted monthly income if gross rent is above the payment standard. That is an initial-occupancy rule, not a permanent 40% rent cap. Ask your housing agency to work out your share before you sign a lease.

Administered by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Office of Public and Indian Housing — administered locally by Public Housing Agencies (PHAs)

Key figures

What	Amount	Verified
Tenant rent contribution (typical family rent portion)	30 % of adjusted monthly income	Source check: 2026-07-20 source
Maximum family share at initial occupancy when gross rent exceeds the payment standard (not a permanent rent cap)	40 % of adjusted monthly income	Source check: 2026-07-20 source
Very low-income limit (general eligibility ceiling)	50 % of area median income	Source check: 2026-07-20 source
Low-income limit (eligible only if an additional criterion is met, e.g. continuously assisted under a 1937 Housing Act program)	80 % of area median income	Source check: 2026-07-20 source
Share of each PHA's admissions per fiscal year that must be extremely low-income families	75 % of admissions	Source check: 2026-07-20 source
Extremely low-income threshold	30 % of area median income, or the federal poverty line if higher (not exceeding the 50% AMI very low-income limit)	Source check: 2026-07-20 source
Families assisted nationally	over 2.3 million households	Source check: 2026-07-20 source

Who may qualify

Family income generally may not exceed the very low-income limit (generally 50% of area median income); low-income families (generally 80% of AMI) can qualify only if they meet an additional criterion such as being continuously assisted under a 1937 Housing Act program. Limits are set by HUD by family size and area, published annually, and apply only at the time of admission. Source check: 2026-07-20 source
Each PHA must ensure that 75 percent of its admissions in each PHA fiscal year are families at or below the extremely low-income limit (the higher of the federal poverty line or 30% of area median income), so most new vouchers go to extremely low-income applicants. Source check: 2026-07-20 source
The household must meet HUD's definition of a family, which includes single persons (elderly, displaced, disabled, near-elderly, or any other single person) as well as groups of persons residing together, regardless of marital status. Source check: 2026-07-20 source
The applicant family must have eligible citizenship or immigration status with supporting documentation; assistance is prorated for mixed families that include ineligible noncitizens. Source check: 2026-07-20 source
The applicant must disclose and document the SSNs of all family members (with limited exceptions) and sign consent forms allowing the PHA to verify household information. Source check: 2026-07-20 source
The PHA must conduct background screenings to ensure no household member is subject to a lifetime sex offender registration requirement; all adult household members must sign a criminal background consent form, and PHAs may set additional nondiscriminatory admission criteria listed in their administrative plans. Source check: 2026-07-20 source

Eligibility rules are set by the administering agency and can change — the linked sources are authoritative, this summary is not a determination.

How to apply — official route

Official application information →

Phone: (800) 955-2232

Applications go through the local Public Housing Agency (PHA) serving the applicant's area — use HUD's PHA contact directory to find it. HUD notes that due to high demand and long waiting lists for housing vouchers, applicants may need to apply to multiple PHA waitlists.

Housing programs are usually handled by your local Public Housing Agency — find your local office. Check the income limit for your county with the income limit checker, or browse state housing data tables.

Applying for government benefits is free. No legitimate program charges a fee to apply, and no one can guarantee you'll be approved.

Application toolkit · source check: 2026-07-28

Get ready to apply for Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)

The Public Housing Agency (PHA) sets its own application and waiting-list requirements. Confirm the list is open before gathering documents.

Common documents and information

Check off items as you gather them. Do not send original records unless the agency specifically tells you to.

Identity and Social Security number documentation requested for household members
Citizenship or eligible-immigration documentation for household members receiving assistance
Income and benefit records for every household member, plus requested asset information
Names, birth dates, relationships, and contact information for everyone in the household
Signed consent forms allowing the PHA to verify information and run required adult background checks
Disability or accessibility documentation only when requesting a program accommodation or applicable deduction

What happens after you apply

Save the confirmation number, submission date, PHA name, and a copy of the application.
Being placed on a waiting list is not approval. Follow the PHA's status-check instructions and report address, phone, income, and household changes.
If selected, the PHA verifies eligibility and explains program rules before issuing a voucher.
After receiving a voucher, you generally have at least 60 days to find an eligible unit. The PHA must inspect the unit before assistance starts.

Find the Public Housing Agency serving you →

Applying is free. CalculateBenefits does not receive or submit your application.

Local rules: Waiting-list openings, preferences, documents, service areas, and status-check methods differ by PHA. Applying is free.

Official sources: HUD — Housing Choice Voucher tenant guidance · HUD — Public Housing Agency contacts · HUD — HCV eligibility guidebook

Program update alerts

Email alerts for when this program's amounts or income limits change are coming soon.

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