The Houston Housing Authority has recently completed a pre-application intake for the Housing Choice Voucher Program and is currently not accepting applications. If you applied during the last application period please click here to find out what lottery numbers are currently being serviced.
The Housing Choice Voucher Program (formerly Section 8) provides tenant-based assistance, in the form of a voucher, to low-income families, seniors and persons with disabilities for rental units chosen by the tenant in the private market. The Housing Authority provides payments directly to participating property owners to offset the cost difference between tenant payments and unit rent. Program applicants choose from a variety of housing options, ranging from apartments, duplexes, single-family homes to townhomes.
Tenants can find available units by visiting GoSection8.
Families with vouchers generally pay between 30 to 40 percent of their annual income for rent. Rent must be reasonably compared with similar unassisted units in the area, and the property must meet HUD's Section 8 Housing Quality Standards.
Current participants in the Housing Choice Voucher Program may choose to participate in Housing Authority's Family Self Sufficiency Program, which offers employment and other case-managed services designed to promote economic self-sufficiency.
Services offered through the FSS Program may range from job training to child-care and transportation assistance. FSS participants may also take advantage of homeownership counseling, including the establishment of a family escrow account that can be used for purchasing a house through the Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Program or for any other purpose upon successful completion of the FSS program.