The Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) is the federal government's major program for assisting low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private housing market. Housing assistance, based on household income, is provided on behalf of the family (or individual) to a landlord/property owner.

Voucher program participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments in the private housing market, within an affordable range based on bedroom size. Once a unit is selected and approved by the housing agency, the tenant pays a portion of the rent based on a percentage (typically 30%) of their household-adjusted income, and the remaining rent is paid by the housing agency.