Section 8
The Section 8 Housing Choice voucher program was established in 1974 and has since become the largest form of federal housing assistance. Low-income families use Section 8 to help pay for housing from the private market; the vouchers, distributed by local Public Housing Authorities, are meant to ensure that households only pay 30% of their income to rent. The program is a critical component in the continuum of housing for low income people, including people living with HIV/AIDS.
NAHC supports an appropriation that fully funds the renewal of existing Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers in use, approximately 2.1 million, as well as allowing for expansion to serve some of the millions of low-income Americans in need of housing assistance. This appropriation must be made without sacrificing other critical programs for low-income and/or disabled people.
SEVRA - Section 8 Voucher Reform Act
The Section 8 Voucher Reform Act (SEVRA, S. 2684), was introduced by Senate Banking Committee chair Chris Dodd (D-CT) along with five co-sponsors. The reforms include meaningful revisions to the annual formula funding process to stabilize the program, changes to tenant rent calculations and the rules governing housing quality inspection. The legislation would provide long-overdue updates and streamlining for the program critical for low income people, including people with HIV/AIDS. The House approved legislation in July 2007. (H.R.1851).