If a tenant receives a 2 bedroom Voucher, can the tenant choose to live in a 3 bedroom house?
Yes, although the tenant would be responsible for paying any amount above and beyond the 2 bedroom Voucher amount allocated by the local Housing Authority. In addition, the local Housing Authority will not approve any tenant who attempts to sign a lease (as a new admission into the Section 8 program or into different unit than where they previously resided) where he or she will be required to pay more than 40% of his or her income toward rent. This restriction is typically only placed on the tenant for the first year of a lease. If the tenant renews the lease, then the Housing Authority will allow the tenant to pay whatever he or she agrees to, with the caveat (to both the landlord and the tenant) that if the tenant fails to meet his or her financial obligations, he or she will be removed from the Section 8 program. In oversubscribed cities, this means that it could take several years before the tenant could reapply for Section 8 subsidization again. From our experience, one should try
