About Housing in the U.S.

1. What is a Housing Authority?

• The most common and universal term.
• Refers to local or municipal public agencies that provide affordable housing.
• Often prefixed by a city, county, or regional name, e.g.:
  • New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA)
  • Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA)

2. Public Housing Agency (PHA)

• An umbrella term recognized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
• Includes all local entities that manage housing assistance programs, especially:
  • Public Housing
  • Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) programs

3. Section 8

• Refers to the Housing Choice Voucher Program, federally funded and locally managed by housing authorities.
• “Section 8” is a colloquial but widely recognized term.

4. HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development)

• Federal department that oversees national housing programs.
• Local housing authorities often coordinate with HUD to manage:
  • Funding
  • Regulatory compliance
  • Vouchers and grants

5. Low-Income Housing / Affordable Housing

• Describes the types of housing typically managed by housing authorities.
• May include:
  • Project-based housing
  • Income-restricted rentals
  • Tax credit properties (LIHTC)

6. Rent Assistance / Rental Subsidy

• Common term for financial aid provided to tenants to help with rent.
• Administered through Section 8 or other state programs.

7. Voucher Program / Housing Vouchers

• Generic term encompassing different types of rent subsidies.
• Most commonly:
  • Housing Choice Vouchers
  • Project-Based Vouchers
  • Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) Vouchers

8. Income Limits / Area Median Income (AMI)

• Used to determine eligibility for housing programs.
• Calculated by HUD annually per region.

9. Waitlist / Lottery System

• Refers to how applicants are selected for housing or vouchers.
• Many housing authorities operate long waitlists or hold random lotteries due to high demand.

10. Fair Housing / Equal Housing Opportunity

• Legal and policy frameworks under the Fair Housing Act to prevent discrimination.
• Housing authorities must comply with these rules.

11. Tenant-Based vs. Project-Based Assistance

Project-Based: Assistance tied to a specific unit or property.

Tenant-Based: Vouchers move with the tenant (e.g., Housing Choice Voucher).

Transitional housing is a form of temporary residence designed to help individuals and families move from homelessness or unstable living situations into permanent housing. These programs typically offer housing for a set period—often 6 to 24 months—and include structured support services that address the barriers to long-term stability.

Common Terms and Program Types

The term transitional housing refers specifically to time-limited housing combined with case management and life-skill development. Other related terms include rapid rehousing, which offers short-term rental assistance to help people quickly exit homelessness, and emergency shelter, which provides immediate, short-duration housing. For individuals with more complex needs, permanent supportive housing (PSH) offers long-term housing with ongoing services. Housing models may be scattered-site, with individuals living in separate apartments throughout a community, or congregate, where residents share a facility with on-site support.

Eligibility and Qualifications

To qualify for transitional housing, applicants typically must be homeless or at risk of homelessness. Most programs have income limits, often set at or below 30% of the area median income. Participants are usually required to engage in services such as job training or counseling. Some programs are designed for specific populations, including:

• Veterans
• Domestic violence survivors
• Youth aging out of foster care
• Formerly incarcerated individuals
• People with mental illness or substance use disorders

Certain programs may require sobriety, participation in treatment, or background checks.

Services Provided

Supportive services are a key part of transitional housing and are tailored to the residents’ needs. Common services include help finding permanent housing, life-skills training (such as budgeting and cooking), and employment support (like resume writing and job placement). Residents often receive access to mental health care, substance use treatment, and educational resources. Childcare assistance and community-building opportunities like peer support groups may also be included.

Outcomes and Effectiveness

On average, individuals stay in transitional housing for about 6 months, while families may stay closer to 7–8 months. Youth-focused programs may extend up to 36 months. Many programs report strong outcomes, with the majority of participants transitioning successfully into permanent housing. Youth programs often see high rates of educational achievement and job placement. The return to homelessness among program graduates tends to be relatively low. In the long term, transitional housing helps improve residents’ housing and employment stability, mental and physical health, and independence, while reducing reliance on emergency services.

Housing Assistance & Low-Income Housing FAQ (U.S.)

1. What is a Housing Authority?

A housing authority is a local government agency that provides affordable housing and administers federal and state housing assistance programs, including public housing and the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8).

2. What is the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program?

Section 8 is a federal program that helps low-income individuals and families pay for housing in the private market. Qualified tenants receive a voucher that covers part of the rent, while they pay the remainder based on their income.

3. What is Public Housing?

Public housing consists of government-owned or managed properties rented to low-income individuals at reduced rates. Unlike Section 8, tenants live in specific properties owned by the housing authority.

4. Who qualifies for housing assistance?

Eligibility is generally based on:

• Household income (typically at or below 30%–50% of Area Median Income)
• U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status
• Family size
• Local preferences (e.g., veterans, elderly, disabled, homeless)

Each program and housing authority may have its own additional criteria.

5. How do I apply for housing assistance?

You can apply directly through your local Public Housing Agency (PHA). Most housing authorities have an online application portal. Some programs (like Section 8) operate waitlists and open them only periodically.

6. What is a waitlist and how long is it?

Because demand for assistance exceeds supply, many programs use waitlists. The length of time can range from a few months to several years, depending on the location and program.

7. What’s the difference between public housing and Section 8?

• Public housing: You live in a property owned or managed by the housing authority.
• Section 8 voucher: You can choose your own rental unit in the private market, and the voucher pays part of the rent.

8. Can I be denied housing assistance?

Yes. Common reasons include:

• Income above program limits
• Criminal background (varies by program and severity)
• Past evictions or fraud in a federal program
• Incomplete applications

You will receive a written notice and can usually appeal the decision.

9. Can I move and keep my Section 8 voucher?

Yes. Section 8 vouchers are portable. After one year in your original jurisdiction, you can transfer your voucher to another city or state through a process called “portability.”

10. What is low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) housing?

LIHTC housing is built and maintained by private developers who receive tax credits in exchange for offering reduced rents to qualifying tenants. These are not government-owned, but still have income and eligibility requirements.

11. Do housing authorities offer help for special populations?

Yes. Many have designated programs or set-asides for:

• Veterans (e.g., HUD-VASH)
• Seniors
• People with disabilities
• Domestic violence survivors
• Formerly incarcerated individuals
• Youth aging out of foster care

12. What can I do if I’m denied or removed from a waitlist?

You can:

• Request an informal hearing or review
• Submit new documentation or correct errors
• Appeal the decision through the housing authority
• Contact legal aid or a fair housing agency if you suspect discrimination

13. Are housing assistance programs free?

No, but they significantly reduce rent. Typically, tenants pay 30% of their monthly income toward rent and utilities, and the rest is covered by the program.

14. Can non-citizens qualify for housing assistance?

Only U.S. citizens and certain categories of eligible non-citizens (like lawful permanent residents) can receive full assistance. Mixed-status families may receive prorated assistance.

15. Where can I find my local housing authority?

You can search the HUD website’s Public Housing Agency (PHA) directory:
HUD PHA Contact Information

Fair housing laws protect individuals from discrimination when renting, buying, financing, or insuring housing. These laws apply across all 50 states and are enforced at the federal level.

Key Federal Fair Housing Laws

1. The Fair Housing Act (Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968)

This is the primary federal law protecting people from housing discrimination. It makes it illegal to discriminate based on:

• Race
• Color
• National origin
• Religion
• Sex
• Disability
• Familial status (e.g., having children or being pregnant)

Applies to:

• Landlords
• Property managers
• Home sellers
• Mortgage lenders
• Insurance providers
• Real estate agents

2. The Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988

Expanded protections to include:

• Disability
• Familial status

Also requires housing providers to make reasonable accommodations and permit reasonable modifications for individuals with disabilities.

3. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Prohibits discrimination based on disability in federally funded housing programs.

4. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA of 1990)

Applies to public and common-use areas in housing, such as leasing offices and community rooms. Requires accessibility and reasonable accommodations.

5. Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in any program receiving federal financial assistance, including housing programs.

Examples of Housing Discrimination

• Refusing to rent or sell housing
• Lying about unit availability
• Charging different prices, fees, or deposits
• Imposing different rules or restrictions
• Harassing or evicting someone based on a protected class
• Refusing reasonable accommodations for someone with a disability

Your Rights Apply To:

• Renting apartments or homes
• Buying or selling real estate
• Applying for a mortgage or loan
• Accessing housing insurance
• Living in public or subsidized housing

State and Local Fair Housing Protections

Many states and cities expand on federal protections. These additional protected categories may include:

• Sexual orientation
• Gender identity
• Source of income (e.g., housing vouchers or public benefits)
• Military or veteran status
• Immigration or citizenship status

Tip: Contact your local fair housing agency to learn about protections specific to your state or city.

How to File a Fair Housing Complaint

If you believe your fair housing rights have been violated, you can file a complaint through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

File with HUD:

• Online: https://www.hud.gov/fairhousing
• Phone: 1-800-669-9777 (Voice) | 1-800-877-8339 (TTY)
• Email: complaints_office@hud.gov
• Mail:
  Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
  HUD Headquarters
  Washington, DC

Need Help?

For free or low-cost legal support, contact a local fair housing agency or legal aid office:
Find one near you: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/partners/FHAP