Also known as the Choice Vouchers Program, this federal government program helps provide housing for Americans the elderly, disabled and who live in poverty. The program provides assistance in paying the monthly rental fees for homes and apartments in various locations. Local agencies manage the tenants and residences.
The participants are free to select any home that is involved in the project. Housing vouchers are distributed and administered by local public housing agencies known as PHAs. The Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, supplies to funds to local PHAs to run the program.
Families issued a housing voucher must find suitable housing where the owner agrees to rent under the Section 8 program. The current residence can even be used if the landlord agrees to meet the minimum standards of health and safety set by the PHA.