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 programthat 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.

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