The Housing Choice Voucher Program, commonly known as Section 8, is the federal government’s major program for assisting very low-income families, elders, and people with disabilities to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. With a Section 8 voucher, the tenant pays up to 30 percent of his or her income toward rent and utilities and the voucher covers the rest of the housing costs.

Participants are free to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program. Rental units must meet minimum standards of health and safety, as determined by local housing authorities.