Why Housing Choice Vouchers
(Section 8)
The Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) helps low-income families, elderly persons, veterans and disabled individuals afford housing in the private market. Section 8 is a federally funded housing assistance program that helps individuals and families access safe, long-term housing. For more than 50 years, the program has supported millions of households nationwide by bridging the gap between income and market rent.
Thousands of housing providers participate in Section 8 to achieve:

Market-Competitive
Rental Standards
In many Los Angeles submarkets, Section 8 voucher payment standards support rents that are competitive with — and in some cases higher than — stabilized market rents, particularly for well-maintained units that meet program standards. Payment standards have increased materially over the past decade, improving owner economics relative to traditional rentals.

Stable, Federally-
Qualified Tenants
Voucher holders are subject to ongoing eligibility and compliance requirements. This structure encourages responsible tenancy and supports longer average tenures compared to many traditional rentals.

Reliable, Federally-
Backed Payments
Under the Section 8 program, housing assistance payments are issued monthly and paid directly to the Housing Provider, providing predictable rental income when program requirements are met.

Incentives & Support
Section 8 tenants and housing providers may receive support through housing authorities and partner organizations, which can include financial incentives (such as security deposit assistance or holding fees) and wraparound services (including tenant coordination, screening support, and mediation), depending on the program and placement.