Rental Assistance - Section 8 Existing Certificate/Voucher Program |
Purpose of Program |
| The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development's (HUD) Section 8 Existing Certificate/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 Existing
Certificate/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. The landlord must agree to accept the market rent set
by HUD as the total rent for the unit under the Section 8 Certificate Program.
Under the Section 8 Voucher Program, a tenant may select a unit that rents for
more or less than the market rent set by HUD. |
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 certificate or voucher which allows them to seek rental housing of
their choice. Under the Certificate Program, the tenant's share of the rent will
be no more than 30 percent of their monthly household adjusted income. Section 8
assistance pays the balance of the rent, which is the difference between the
tenant's share and the fair market rent of the unit, which is established by
HUD. Under the Voucher Program, there is no fair market rent limitation, and 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 a voucher payment standard. |
Local Government Involvement |
The Community Development Administration administers Section 8
Certificate/Voucher Programs in 24 local jurisdictions throughout the State, 18
of which are operated through cooperative agreements with the local
government. |
For More Information, Contact: |
Rental Service Programs
Community Development Administration
Maryland
Department of Housing and Community Development
100 Community
Place
Crownsville, MD 21032-2023
markowski@dhcd.state.md.us
410-514-7490 |