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Basic Housing Information and The "Big 3" Programs
These documents provide general information about affordable housing and affordable housing programs.
The "Big 3" Programs
This document provides details about the three most-utilized housing subsidy programs:
Public Housing
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What it is
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What it costs
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What it offers
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What to be prepared for
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• Publicly owned and managed rental units for low-income households.
• Some units are reserved only for those who are elderly or disabled.
• This is a project-based subsidy (The subsidy stays with the unit)
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• Most units cost 30% of household's adjusted gross income.*
• Some units have a low, fixed rent amount.
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• Very affordable rents; the rent you pay is based on your income.
• Variety of housing styles (single-family, apartment, townhome) and amenities.
• A single access point for applying, often for a large number of units.
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• You will need to apply at the public housing authority to get on the waiting list.
• Waiting lists for public housing can be closed or long.
• Sometimes there are specific lists for specific bedroom sizes or housing types.
• A credit, rental, and criminal history check will probably be required.
• Some units are older and come with few amenities.
• If you don't like the unit(s), you may have limited choices.
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* Example of rent at 30% of income: Household with one full-time worker at $5.15/hour might pay $260 per month.
For more Public Housing information:
Project-Based Section 8 Housing
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What it is
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What it costs
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What it offers
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What to be prepared for
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• Privately owned and managed rental units for low-income households.
• Some units are reserved only for those who are elderly or disabled.
• This is a project-based subsidy. (The subsidy stays with the unit).
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• Most units cost 30% of household's adjusted gross income.*
• Some units have a low, fixed rent amount.
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• Very affordable rents; the rent you pay is based on your income.
• Variety of housing styles (single-family, apartment, townhome) and amenities.
• Many different landlords and property managers participate.
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• You will need to apply at each individual property. Each owner keeps a separate waiting list.
• Waiting lists can be closed or long.
• You may have to call or travel around to find out whose waiting list is open and how to apply.
• A credit, rental, and criminal history check will probably be required.
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* Example of rent at 30% of income: Household with one full-time worker at $5.15/hour might pay $260 per month.
Other project-based programs operate in a similar manner, including: Section 202, Section 236, Section 515 for rural areas, and Section 811.
For more Project-Based property information:
Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers
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What it is
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What it costs
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What it offers
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What to be prepared for
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• Government-funded program that helps low-income households pay the rent on market-rate rental units.
• A renter finds a unit (within certain requirements); a housing authority pays a portion of the rent directly to the property.
• This is a tenant-based subsidy. (The subsidy goes with the tenant).
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• 30% to 40% of household’s adjusted gross income.*
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• Very affordable rents; the rent you pay is based on your income.
• A renter gets to choose the apartment he/she wants to rent (including possibly staying in the same unit where the renter already lives).
• Sometimes you can keep your subsidy if you decide to move.
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• You will need to apply at a housing authority to get a voucher.
• Waiting lists for vouchers can be closed or long.
• You still have to apply at the property.
• A credit, rental, and criminal history check will probably be required.
• Some properties may choose not to accept vouchers.
• The unit you find must pass an inspection before the subsidy payments can start.
• The housing authority will help identify an eligible rent amount.
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* Example of rent at 30% of income: Household with one full-time worker at $5.15/hour might pay $260 per month.
For more information about Section 8 Vouchers:
Housing terms and abbreviations
Includes terms and abbreviations related to:
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major housing programs
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housing program terminology
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housing program administration organizations
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housing-related legal terms
Basic tips for people looking for housing
Information for those beginning a housing search. Topics include:
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getting ready to move
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selecting a property
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signing a lease
Fair Housing laws and contacts
Information for those facing discrimination in a housing search or a current living situation. Topics include:
When reproducing these documents, please credit HousingLink by keeping the HousingLink logo and website address clearly visible on any reproductions.
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