Housing Choice Voucher Program

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program is administered by Salem Housing Authority and funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The program serves approximately 1.53 million households nationwide, and approximately 2,700 located in the Salem/Keizer area.

The Voucher program provides rent assistance to low-income families, individuals and persons with disabilities to find safe, decent, and affordable housing. Eligible participant households receive a voucher to rent homes in the private market. Eligibility for the voucher is based on household income. The voucher pays a portion of the rent and the participant household pays 30 to 40 percent of income for rent and utilities.

Most landlords accept vouchers if other rental criteria is met. Rental listings are updated and posted weekly in the SHA lobby. SHA inspects the selected unit to ensure that it meets HUD's housing quality standards (HQS). If the unit meets HQS and the rent is reasonable the participant and landlord sign a lease. At the same time, the landlord and Salem Housing Authority sign a housing assistance payments (HAP) contract for the term of the lease. SHA pays the subsidy to the landlord on behalf of the participating family. The family pays the landlord the difference between the rent amount and the voucher subsidy.

The participant family must comply with the lease and program requirements, pay its share of rent on time, maintain the unit in good condition, and notify SHA of any changes in income or family composition.  Read about HCV Family Obligations.