The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8 HCVP) is one of the most successful federal housing programs funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The program assists low-income families, the elderly, and people with disabilities so that they may live in decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the community. Eligible participants receive a subsidy, which they can use in the private rental market, provided the unit meets the standards set by HUD.

The 2nd Edition of Section 8 Made Simple: A Guide To The Housing Choice Voucher Program offers comprehensive information on the Section 8 HCVP, including updated information on the Homeownership Program. Click here to access the entire document in PDF or access each chapter by clicking on the links below.

Chapter 1 - Overview of the Section 8 Program
Chapter 2 - How the Section 8 Program is Administered
Chapter 3 - Eligiblity, Applications, and the Waiting List Process
Chapter 4 - Screening, Verification, and Appeals
Chapter 5 - Determining the Total Tenant Payment and Section 8 Rental Subsidy
Chapter 6 - Getting a Section 8 Voucher and Obtaining Housing
Chapter 7 - Keeping a Section 8 Voucher
Chapter 8 - Reasonable Accommodation and Reasonable Modification
Chapter 9 - Section 8 Project-Based Assistance
Chapter 10 - Section 8 and Homeownership Assistance
Appendix A - Glossary of Section 8 Terms
Appendix B - Public Housing Agencies with Section 8 Vouchers Targeted to People with Disabilities
Appendix C - Mass Access: An Accessible Housing Registry
Appendix D - TAC's Publications

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers set-aside specifically for people with disabilities
Within the Section 8 HCV Program there are special allocations of vouchers targeted to certain populations.  These allocations typically target vouchers to people with disabilities and/or other groups with special needs.  In recent years, the following special allocations of vouchers for people with disabilities have been available for PHAs to apply for on a competitive basis: 

• Mainstream Vouchers
• Certain Vouchers         
• Designated Vouchers         
• Fair Share Voucher linked to Medicaid Home and Community Based Vouchers
  

Homeownership Opportunities

Section 8 Made Simple dedicates an entire chapter to the most recent updates to the Homeownership Program. Read the chapter in PDF.

Project-Based Rental Assistance Opportunities

• On October 13, 2005, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development published the final rule for the Project-Based Voucher Program. Click here to read it (PDF).
• On May 14, 2004, TAC and a group of housing and disability organizations and individuals submitted comments on HUD's Proposed  Rule on the Project-Based Voucher Program. Read the comments (PDF).
• On March 18, 2004, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued a proposed rule on the Section 8 Project-Based Voucher Program. Read it in PDF or HTML.
• Chapter 9 from Section 8 Made Simple (PDF).

For more information: 

• Section 8 Advocacy Information from the National Alliance to End Homelessness
• Introduction to the Housing Choice Voucher Program - Center on Budget and Policy Priorites
• HUD's information on the Housing Choice Voucher Program