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Housing choice voucher (Section 8)

Learn if you are eligible for a Section 8 housing choice voucher to pay rent for private housing. Find your public housing agency to apply.

What are housing choice vouchers?

Housing choice vouchers are for families with low incomes, seniors, and people with disabilities.

You can use the vouchers for privately owned single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments. Housing choice vouchers can pay for all or part of the rent.

Find out if you are eligible for a housing choice voucher

Eligibility for a housing choice voucher is based on:

  • Your total annual gross income
  • Your family's size

Housing choice vouchers are limited to U.S. citizens and non-citizens who have eligible immigration status.

Find and contact your local public housing agency to learn more about your eligibility for a housing choice voucher.

Learn more about housing choice vouchers from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

How to apply for a housing choice voucher

Your public housing agency can help you apply for a voucher and check the status of an application. Wait lists and long waiting periods for vouchers are common since HUD and the local housing agencies have limited resources. A public housing agency may temporarily close its waiting list when it has more families on the list than it can help.

Find your local public housing agency

 

LAST UPDATED: December 21, 2023

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