Housing Choice Voucher

What are Housing Choice Vouchers?

    The Housing Choice Voucher Program is the federal government's main program from assisting low-income families, and the elderly and disabled population with housing. Public Housing Agencies receive funding from HUD, who then administer the Housing Choice Vouchers. Once receiving an HCV, the family or individual is responsible for searching for a suitable housing unit where the owner rents under the program. Notably, these rental units must meet standards of health and safety to ensure that the home is decent, safe and sanitary (HUD, 2022). 

Who is eligible?

    Eligibility for a housing voucher is based on annual gross family income and family size. The family's income may not exceed 50% of the median income for the area the family chooses to live. The housing agencies in the community can provide with income information for specific areas and family size (HUD, 2022). 

        

What are some issues with the HCV?

    It is good that this program has flexibility in a way that families are able to choose housing in areas with job opportunities, schools, and services that are convenient for them. Families with children have the opportunity to live in a community where the child may go to a specific school. Despite this benefit, it has been shown that families who are eligible for the program spend about 2.5 years on a waitlist due to insufficient funding provided. There is a gap between supply and demand in housing choice vouchers which is causing a risk in homelessness in vulnerable populations. 

Housing Choice Voucher Program section 8. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). (2022). https://www.hud.gov/topics/housing_choice_voucher_program_section_8