Housing Choice Voucher/Section 8

The Housing Authority of the County of Kern administers the federally funded Housing Choice Voucher Program, also known as Section 8, whereby eligible participants including very low income families, the elderly, and the disabled are awarded vouchers enabling them to find housing in the private sector.

The Housing Authority contracts with landlords to subsidize the participants’ rents. Housing must meet HUD Housing Quality Standards for the Agency to enter into a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Contract with the property owner.  The subsidy is the difference between 30% of tenant income and the Section 8 Payment Standard amount for Kern County or the gross rent, whichever is lower.

HUD establishes income limits annually, based on family size for the area in which the Housing Authority is located.  Currently, 75% of eligible applicants must have income that does not exceed 30% of the median area income.  The remaining 25% may have income limit up to 80% of the area median. Agency staff processes applications, determines eligibility, completes criminal background checks, and works with tenants and landlords.