DURHAM

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program is the largest national rental assistance program, and it is administered by local Public Housing Agencies. It aims to allow participants to move to higher opportunity neighborhoods and find suitable housing in the private market. Participants with housing choice vouchers must pay at least 30% percent of their monthly adjusted gross income toward rent and utilities. In Durham County, the Durham Housing Authority (DHA) is responsible for setting a payment standard, which is the amount generally needed to rent a moderately-priced unit in the local housing market. DHA then pays a subsidy to the landlord to cover the difference between what a tenant can afford and the payment standard. After getting off the waitlist, participants receive a voucher and are responsible for finding a suitable unit within 90 days. Landlords must be willing to rent to a tenant with a voucher, and the unit must pass an inspection process before it is approved by DHA..

Also known as: Durham County