Does Section 8 pay all of your rent?

No. Section 8 (officially called Housing Choice Vouchers) typically pays part of your rent, not all of it. You are responsible for paying the remaining amount.

How Section 8 rent payments work

With Section 8, you usually pay 30% of your monthly gross income toward rent. The Housing Choice Voucher then covers the difference between what you pay and the actual rent, up to a limit set by your local housing authority.

This means:

• If your rent is higher than what Section 8 covers in your area, you pay the difference.
• If your income increases, your portion of rent increases too.
• The voucher amount varies by location and apartment size.

When Section 8 might pay more

In some cases, Section 8 may cover a larger share of your rent:

• If your income is very low, your 30% contribution will be smaller.
• If you find an apartment with rent below the local voucher limit, Section 8 may pay most of the cost.

What to do next

To learn more about how Section 8 works in your area, visit our Section 8 page. You can also check if you might qualify by using our benefits screener. Applying for Section 8 is free, and only your local housing authority can decide if you qualify.