Housing Choice
Voucher Program

The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, sometimes referred to as Section 8, is a federal government initiative in the United States that assists low-income individuals and families with their housing needs through vouchers that subsidize a portion of their monthly rent. Voucher holders use their vouchers to rent units in the private market.

County Housing provides rental assistance to more than 7,000 low-income households in St. Louis County.

Finding Housing

Residents need to secure their own housing. Below are some of the websites where you can find housing.

If you find a home on a site other than AffordableHousing.com or the MHDC Affordable Housing Locator, you should reach out to the property owner and verify that they will accept a Housing Choice Voucher.

Ownership and managment

HCV is a tenant-based program where participants receive a voucher to rent housing in the private market. The housing units are privately owned, and landlords are responsible for managing and maintaining the property.

Income eligibility

Rent is typically set at 30% of the tenant’s income, with the voucher covering the difference between the tenant’s contribution and the market rent.

Tenant choice

HCV participants have the flexibility to choose where they want to live, including apartments, townhouses, and single-family homes, as long as the unit meets program requirements.

Subsidy type

Rent is typically set at 30% of the tenant’s income, with the voucher covering the difference between the tenant’s contribution and the market rent.

Within the HCV program, County Housing also offers the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program and the Homeownership Program. Specific eligibility criteria apply to each program.

Residents of our HCV program will be assigned a caseworker once enrolled in the program and have to submit annual recertification each year.

Waitlists are currently closed

Learn how the waitlists for the Housing Choice Voucher and Public Housing programs work and sign up to be notified when the waitlists open.

Program Benefits

HCV provides low-income families with a rental subsidy
Voucher holders pay 30-40% of their monthly income towards rent
Voucher holders choose where they want to live and what type of property they want to rent
If a participant's income decreases, their portion of rent will also decrease. When this happens, the rental subsidy increases, so the total rent remains the same
If a participant's income increases to the point where the rental subsidy is zero, they can remain on the program for 180 days

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Watch the video below to learn more about the HCV program

HCV Program: Basics, Benefits, and Ways to Participate

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a voucher?

A voucher is a written contract between a public housing authority and a family describing program requirements and confirming a family’s eligibility for rental assistance. The voucher expires after 120 days if a family does not select a unit. The voucher lists the bedroom size the PHA has determined to suit their family composition. It can be adjusted in size if the family’s household composition changes.

Do I qualify?

Applicants must meet the following income limits to qualify:

2024 Income Limits effective 4/10/2024. The gross household income cannot exceed the limits.

Family Size	Income Limit
1	$36,150
2	$41,300
3	$46,450
4	$51,600
5	$55,750
6	$59,900
7	$64,000
8	$68,150

What is the impact of the Housing Choice Voucher program?

HUD provides rental assistance through the HCV program to more than 2 million low-income households nationwide. In St. Louis County, County Housing provides rental assistance to more than 7,000 low-income households.

How do I apply for the HCV program?

Step 1: Apply

When the waitlist opens, individuals or households must submit an application to the housing authority. At County Housing, that is done using our RentCafe online portal. During the application process, you will be asked to provide information about your family composition, income, and other eligibility criteria.

Step 2: Waiting Period

Once an application qualifies and is submitted, applicants are placed on the HCV waitlist. The length of time you spend on the waitlist can vary- it’s influenced by factors such as the demand for vouchers in the area and the funding we have available.

Step 3: Notification

When a voucher is available, County Housing will notify the next eligible applicant on the waitlist. This notification will come in the form of an official letter and email. If the organization is unable to reach an individual on the waitlist after multiple attempts, they will move on to the next applicant.

Step 4: Application Review

Applicants must undergo an eligibility review to ensure they still meet the program’s requirements. This review includes verifying income, family composition, and other eligibility factors.

Step 5: Voucher Issuance

If the applicant remains eligible, County Housing will issue a housing voucher! A voucher represents the amount of rental assistance the individual or family is eligible to receive.

Step 6: Housing Search

Voucher holders then have the opportunity to search for suitable rental housing in the private market. The housing unit must meet the program’s requirements, including rent limits and housing quality standards. Voucher holders have 120 days from the date their voucher is issued to find a home to rent. You may request an extension from your assigned caseworker.

Step 7: Lease and Inspection

Once the voucher holder finds a suitable unit, the tenant and the landlord enter into a lease agreement. At this point, County Housing will conduct an inspection to ensure the unit meets health and safety standards.

Step 8: Rental Assistance

County Housing provides rental assistance payments directly to the landlord on behalf of the voucher holder, while the tenant pays their portion of the rent to the landlord.

How do I find housing?

Voucher holders can search the following websites for housing. Note: if you find a home on a site other than AffordableHousing.com, you should reach out to the property owner and verify that they will accept a Housing Choice Voucher.

Housing Choice Voucher Program