• Learn the rules about HUD subsidized housing.apartment for rent image by dead_account from Fotolia.com
  
  The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers housing assistance to eligible low-income families using federal funding. This assistance is usually through the Housing Choice Voucher Program (commonly known as Section 8). In addition, there is a Public Housing Program that provides housing to eligible individuals and their families through local housing agencies (HA). While the voucher program is funded through the government and paid to landlords, the public housing program provides actual housing units. The original housing subsidy program was enacted by the U.S. Housing and Community Development Act in 1974. Today, there are several regulations guiding the subsidized housing program in the U.S.
  
  

Eligibility Regulations

• The first step to obtaining federal housing assistance is determining eligibility. Generally, eligibility is based on annual income, disability, age, and legal status in the U.S. The income limit is set by HUD, although eligibility is determined by the public housing agencies (PHA or HA). An elderly person or a disabled individual has an increased chance of receiving aid since they are less likely to have high income sources. Furthermore, it is necessary that the applicant be either a U.S. citizen or possess eligible immigration status.
  
  

Housing Choice Voucher

• Under the housing choice voucher program, a family who has been granted assistance finds its own housing. The housing unit selected must meet minimum health and safety standards as required by the PHA. The PHA approves the housing unit, then pays the calculated housing aid directly to the landlord. The beneficiary never receives any actual funds from the PHA. Although the PHA determines a payment standard based on average rent prices for a moderately-priced unit, it does not affect the amount of rent a landlord may charge, or the amount of money the family may have to pay to make up the assistance deficit.
  
  

Lease Terms

• Eligibility for housing assistance is re-examined annually. An individual or a family continues to receive assistance as long as circumstances qualify them for the assistance. Generally, leases are for a period of one year, so after the lease period is up, a family may either qualify for another year of assistance, or lose its eligibility. In a situation of a move, the PHA must be informed of the lease change, and the new location must again be approved. Keep in mind that PHAs only operate locally, so a change in location might mean a change in your PHA.