What is the Housing Choice Voucher program?
The Housing Choice Voucher program (formerly known and commonly referred to as Section 8) is the largest public housing program in the country and a primary source of affordable housing for struggling families. It was established to provide decent and affordable rental housing for low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. The program is federally funded but locally directed. Funds are distributed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to public housing agencies (PHAs) throughout each state, which administer the program at the local level. HUD issues regulations that guide the Housing Choice Voucher program, but PHAs have a great deal of discretion in determining local program policies.
