Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program

Purpose of Program

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program is a rental assistance program that subsidizes the rent of lower-income families through the use of federal funds. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) administers the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program in jurisdictions around the state that do not have legislative authority to act as a public housing authority or do not choose to administer a Section 8 program. The program is administered under the Department's Public Housing Agency Plan, as required by HUD.

Eligible Types of Housing

Any type of rental housing that meets program requirements for housing quality standards is eligible. Eligible households may select eligible rental housing of their choice. Under the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, a tenant may select a unit that rents for an amount determined to be comparable to other unassisted units in the area, taking into account amenities and other factors, and which would result in the family paying no more than 40% of its adjusted monthly income towards the rent and utilities.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants are families or individuals who have annual incomes of 50 percent or less of the area median income or state non-metro median income, whichever is higher.

Eligible Residents

Those who are eligible for residency are also eligible applicants. Following the initial certification of eligibility, the resident's income is recertified annually. If the resident's income has changed, the tenant's contribution will be adjusted accordingly.

Loan Terms

This is a rental assistance program, not a loan program. Eligible families may receive a voucher which allows them to seek rental housing of their choice. Under the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program the tenant may choose to pay more or less than 30 percent of their monthly household adjusted income, depending upon whether the rent for the unit is more or less than an established voucher payment standard.

Local Government Involvement

The Community Development Administration directly administers the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program in certain jurisdictions located on the Eastern Shore and through cooperative agreements with the local governments of Garrett, Allegany and Frederick Counties as well as the City of Cumberland.

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