The Section 8 Program is a federally-funded rental assistance program designed to help low and very low income eligible citizens obtain safe, decent and sanitary housing at affordable price. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) determines the rules and regulations for the Section 8 housing program.

An applicant must be a "family", be income eligible, and be a citizen or legal immigrant. A "family" consists of an eligible head of household with a group of persons who regularly live together and are related by blood, marriage, adoption or guardianship. Also included are:

• Foster children and non-related individuals that have evidenced a stable family relationship, which has existed over a period of time.
• A single elderly, displaced or disabled person.
• Two or more elderly or disabled persons.
• One elderly or disabled person and their live-in aide.
• A single person who is in the process of securing legal custody of a minor.
• A single pregnant woman with no other family members.

Income eligibility is determined by comparing the family's annual gross income with the HUD-established low and very-low income limits for any given size family.

Periodically the housing agency "opens" the waiting list and accepts applications. Applicants are then placed on the waiting list according to the date and time their application was filed. When funding is available applicants are "called in" from the waiting list.

After they are determined eligible, they are given a rent voucher and have 60 days to locate a suitable unit. The voucher can be extended an additional 60 days if the time is needed for a family to find a unit.

After a suitable unit is located and passes housing quality standards inspection, the housing office prepares a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract on behalf of the family.

Under this contract, the housing agency agrees to make monthly-subsidized rental payments to the landlord on behalf of the family. The amount of the housing subsidy is the difference between the actual contract rent and the portion paid by the family.

Families are recertified annually but must report any changes in household members or income at the time the change occurs.

The family may choose to remain where they are or relocate. If a family is living in a high poverty or high crime area, they are encouraged to choose another location.

Whether a family chooses to remain in the same unit or move to a new one, the unit must be the appropriate size for the family, have a rent that is reasonable compared to similar housing units in the area and pass a housing quality standards inspection.

The purpose of the inspection is to ensure the residence is safe and sanitary. The residence is inspected annually, but the standards must be maintained for the duration of the lease.

A family who is living in Orange County at the time they apply for Section 8 may choose to live anywhere in the country. Their rent voucher is "portable", meaning it will transfer anywhere in the U.S.A.

A family who does not live in Orange County at the time of their initial application must locate a housing unit within Orange County. They may not "port-out" or transfer for twelve (12) months.

Information on Portability (PDF - 32 KB)

• Reviewing applications to determine eligibility.
• Explaining the rules of the Section 8 program to eligible families.
• Issuing a voucher and, if necessary, assisting the family in locating a unit.
• Approving the unit, owner, lease and family.
• Making housing assistance payments to the owner in a timely manner.
• Ensuring that both the family and unit continue to qualify for the Section 8 program.
• Ensuring that the families and landlords comply with Section 8 rules.

• Screening the families to determine if they will be good renters.
• Complying with fair housing laws and not discriminating.
• Making repairs that are not tenant-caused in a timely manner.
• Complying with the terms of the Housing Assistance Program (HAP) contract.
• Collecting the rent due by the tenant, and otherwise enforcing the lease.