---
title: "What Is Housing Choice Voucher? Landlord and Renter Glossary"
description: "A Housing Choice Voucher, often called Section 8, is a federal rental subsidy that helps a low-income household pay rent to a private landlord."
url: https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/housing-choice-voucher
publisher: Real Property Management Gold
phone: +1-301-392-2172
assessment: https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/contact-us#assessment
---

Screening

# Housing Choice Voucher

A Housing Choice Voucher, often called Section 8, is a federal rental subsidy that helps a low-income household pay rent to a private landlord.

The Housing Choice Voucher Program, also known as Section 8, helps low-income families, elderly persons, veterans and disabled individuals afford housing in the private market. Participants can choose any eligible home, including single-family homes and townhouses, with part of the rent covered by a subsidy paid directly to the landlord.

HUD explains the money this way: the local housing agency calculates the family's share, and it pays a housing assistance payment, the difference between a payment standard and the family's share, straight to the landlord. The tenant pays the rest.

In Maryland, source of income is a protected category. The state's Tenants' Bill of Rights lists it among things landlords may not discriminate on, so a lawful voucher counts as income. Screen every applicant with the same written standards under the [Fair Housing Act](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/fair-housing-act). See our guide on [housing vouchers for Maryland landlords](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/housing-vouchers-maryland-landlords), and the [Tenants' Bill of Rights](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/tenants-bill-of-rights).

This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change; check the linked official source or talk to a Maryland attorney.

[Read nextHousing Vouchers and Income-Based Subsidies: What Maryland Landlords Can and Cannot Do](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/landlord-center/housing-vouchers-maryland-landlords)

## Related terms

-   [Fair Housing Act](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/fair-housing-act)
-   [Tenants' Bill of Rights](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/tenants-bill-of-rights)
-   [Market rent](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/glossary/market-rent)

## Sources

1.  [Maryland DHCD: Maryland Tenants' Bill of Rights](https://dhcd.maryland.gov/media/490)

## Ask what your home could rent for. Free.

A free rental assessment from our offices in Lexington Park and Waldorf. No cost, no contract, no pressure.

[Request a free assessment](https://realpmgold.multisites.ai/contact-us#assessment)[(301) 392-2172](tel:+13013922172)