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

• New 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.
• TAC's primer provides an explanation of Project-Based Assistance.  Available in PDF.
• Chapter 9 from Section 8 Made Simple (PDF).

For more information: 

• New Section 8 Advocacy Information from the National Alliance to End Homelessness
• Opening Doors Issue 24 is devoted to the Bush Administration’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2005 budget proposal for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which calls for deep cuts in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program. It is available in PDF and HTML.
• Introduction to the Housing Choice Voucher Program - Center on Budget and Policy Priorites
• HUD's information on the Housing Choice Voucher Program