Federal housing assistance programs fall into three main categories: 

1. rental housing assistance, 
2. federal assistance to state and local governments, and 
3. housing finance and homeownership assistance.

Federal and state housing assistance programs can provide both direct (e.g., direct rental assistance) and indirect support (e.g., construction of new below-market units). 

The tenant-based Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers Program, the Project-based Section 8 program, and Public Housing are the largest and primary rental housing assistance programs for low-income families. The federal government funds these programs through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Local public housing agencies (PHA) then administer the programs. For most people, the local PHA will be the main point of contact. 

In Maryland, the Department of Housing and Community Development is the local PHA that administers the program in parts of the Eastern Shore and Western Maryland, including Allegany County, Caroline County, Dorchester County, Frederick County, Garrett County, Kent County, Somerset County, Talbot County, Wicomico County, and Worcester County. For other counties in Maryland (and some cities), there is another local PHA that administers the program. 

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers 

• Eligible families live in housing of their choice in the private market. 
• Families must find their own housing in the private market. 
• Vouchers are “portable,” meaning that the tenant can use the voucher anywhere in the country. 
• Landlords agree to rent property that meets certain federal standards. 
• The family pays a rent amount that is usually (but not always) based on their income. 
• Landlords sign a contract with the PHA (or HUD) where the PHA pays the difference between the family’s contribution toward rent and the actual rent for the unit. 

Read the regulations: Code of Federal Regulations, Title 24, Subtitle B, Part 982

Project-based Section 8 

• The subsidies available through this program are tied to specific units, meaning that the unit where you live (not you, the tenant) receives the subsidy. 
• These vouchers pay the difference between tenant’s contributions and the rent set by HUD.  
• The vouchers are not portable (i.e., the subsidy stays with the unit, not the tenant). 
• Landlords agree to rent the property, which must meet certain federal standards. 
• Landlords sign a contract with the PHA (or HUD) where the PHA pays the difference between the family’s contribution toward rent and the actual rent for the unit. 

Read the regulations: Code of Federal Regulations, Title 24, Subtitle B, Part 983

Public Housing 

• Public housing provides low-rent housing units. 
• Generally, the local PHA owns and operates the property where the tenant lives, but some developments may have private management companies that operate the property.  

Read the regulations: Code of Federal Regulations, Title 24, Subtitle B, Part 984

Read the Law: U.S. Code, Title 42, Chapter 8, Subchapter I 

Learn more about HUD’s rental assistance programs and Maryland’s Housing Choice Voucher Program. 

There are additional federal rental housing assistance programs offered through HUD as well as other government agencies. Most housing programs are for families with children or individuals in a single-person family units who are elderly, handicapped or have been forced to move by government action or a disaster. 

Other programs include: 

• Section 202 Supportive Housing for Elderly (Learn more.) 
• Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities (Learn more.) 
• Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (Learn more.) 
• Department of Agriculture Rural Rental Housing Programs (Learn more: Single-Family Housing, Multi-Family Housing.) 

In addition, there are Maryland state programs that provide rental assistance. For example, the Maryland Rental Allowance Program provides a 12-month subsidy to low-income persons who are homeless or have a critical or emergency housing need. Learn more.

Statewide Rental Assistance Voucher Program

The Statewide Rental Assistance Voucher Program in the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) provides vouchers and housing assistance payments for low-income families that are currently on a waiting list under the federal Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP).

To be eligible, a family must:

1. live in Maryland;
2. be on a federal Housing Choice Voucher program waiting list; and
3. meet low-income eligibility limits

Under the program, priority for vouchers is given to families that include a minor child, a foster child between 18 and 24 years old, a military veteran, individual experiencing homelessness, a disabled individual, or an elderly individual.

For areas of the state with a local PHA, the PHA will administer the program. If no local PHA exists, the DHCD will act as the local PHA in administering the program. Housing assistance payments for a family can continue for up to 5 years, or until the family becomes eligible for housing under the federal Housing Choice Voucher Program.

Read the law: Md. Code, Housing and Community Development, §4-2901 through 4-2921