The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Homeownership Program lets eligible first-time buyers apply their monthly voucher toward a mortgage instead of rent. It's a federal HUD program offered through participating housing authorities across the country.
Free, no-obligation session · Learn exactly how to qualify and buy with your voucher.
The Section 8 HCV Homeownership Program was created to help low-income, first-time homebuyers purchase a home. It's a component of HUD's Housing Choice Voucher Program — the same program that provides rental assistance — funded by HUD and administered by participating local Public Housing Authorities.
Instead of using the voucher subsidy toward rent, the homeownership option lets an eligible family apply that monthly Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) toward their mortgage payment for up to 15 years — or indefinitely for eligible elderly or disabled families.
The voucher subsidy goes toward homeownership expenses rather than rent. Here's the basic flow.
The family obtains its own mortgage. The voucher program does not finance the loan, but the assistance can be paired with FHA, VA, Conventional, USDA and first-time buyer programs.
Lenders may treat the monthly Housing Assistance Payment as income, or use it to offset the mortgage payment — increasing how much home you can afford.
The PHA pays a monthly HAP toward your homeownership expenses. You pay the rest, and assistance continues for up to 15 years as long as you meet program rules.
The program isn't down-payment assistance, but it can be combined with many lending and first-time buyer programs.
Underwriters can add the (tax-free) Housing Assistance Payment to household income to determine how large a loan you qualify for.
The full voucher amount is applied directly against the monthly mortgage payment, boosting buying power.
Requirements are set by HUD and your local PHA. In general, families need to meet the following.
You're an active Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) or Project-Based Voucher participant — typically for at least one year.
Generally, no household member has owned a home in the last three years (some exceptions apply).
Full-time employment (about 30+ hours/week) with a minimum income requirement. Elderly and disabled families have separate income rules.
Complete an approved pre-purchase counseling program covering budgeting, credit, and financing before assistance begins.
You haven't previously defaulted on a mortgage while receiving homeownership assistance.
The home must pass a Housing Quality Standards inspection plus an independent professional home inspection.
Explore HUD's official Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership dashboard. Use the State and Public Housing Authority filters to see how many families are already buying homes with their voucher near you.
Join our free webinar and we'll walk you through exactly how the HCV Homeownership Program works, how to qualify, and the steps to go from renting to owning.
Register for the Free WebinarIt's free, online, and built for current voucher holders nationwide.
This page is provided by Own The Roof for educational purposes only and is not affiliated with HUD or any government agency. The Section 8 HCV Homeownership Program is a federal program administered by local Public Housing Authorities; participation, payment standards, and specific eligibility rules vary by location and not every housing authority offers the homeownership option. Confirm details and availability with your local Public Housing Authority. Own The Roof does not provide loans or determine eligibility.