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HUD rental assistance programs, explained

There’s no single “HUD program.” Here are the major federal rental assistance options — and which one you should probably apply for.

Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)
The flagship federal rental assistance program. A voucher you take to a private landlord.
Public Housing
Apartments owned and managed directly by your local Public Housing Agency.
Project-Based Vouchers (PBV)
A subsidy attached to a specific apartment unit, not to you.
HUD-VASH (Veterans)
A voucher paired with VA case management for veterans facing homelessness.
Mainstream Vouchers
Vouchers for non-elderly households where a member has a disability.
Family Unification Program (FUP)
Vouchers for families at risk of losing custody and youth aging out of foster care.
Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV)
Time-limited vouchers for households experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Section 202 (Elderly)
Subsidized housing developments built specifically for very-low-income elderly households.
Section 811 (Disability)
Subsidized housing developments for very-low-income people with disabilities.