The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program was designed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to help low-income families obtain decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private rental market. Eligible families will pay a portion of their rent to the owner based on their income. Auburn Housing Authority will pay the remaining portion of the rent (also known as the subsidy) on behalf of the family directly to the owner. AHA reserves the right to refuse any unit and/or property owner from participating in the program. Hundreds of landlords and thousands of tenants have participated in this program over the past 16 years. These partnerships have resulted in many successful tenancies.

Under the program, the tenant’s eligibility is certified by the AHA, and the tenant then seeks out a suitable rental unit where the landlord is willing to enter into a contract to receive part of the rent directly from the Housing Authority. The Program is successful when each party understands its role.

The lease with an eligible family and contract with the AHA encourages a longer occupancy than does the average month-to-month rent agreement, thereby lessening the chance of rent loss due to tenant turnover. Although the owner is responsible for the collection of the tenant’s portion of the rent, he/she has the assurance of timely and consistent payments from AHA.