Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher Program 

Created by the Housing and Community Development Act of 1978, the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, also known as Section 8, provides assistance to eligible low- and moderate-income families to rent housing in the private market. 

Eligibility for this program is based on a family's gross annual income and family size. 

The program works as a rental subsidy that allows families to pay a reasonable amount of their income toward their rent. Eligible families will receive a voucher to begin searching for housing. 

Generally, families will pay no more than 30 percent of their adjusted monthly income toward their rent share. The BMHA pays the remaining amount to the owner on the family's behalf. This payment to the owner is known as the Housing Assistance Payment.

Section 8 participants must comply with all program requirements, including completing their annual certification, accommodating Housing Quality Standards inspections, allowing property owners to make any needed repairs, and adhering to the terms of their lease.

The BMHA opened its Section 8 HCV Waitlist in August 2022, for the first time since 2017. Nearly 3,500 applicants made the list and were assigned positions on the list through an electronic lottery.

The BMHA Section 8 waitlist is not expected to reopen until at least 2026.

The BMHA contracts with CVR Associates, a national housing services firm, to administer its Section 8 program.

To contact the BMHA’s Section 8 office call: (716) 845-5364.