Find rental housing with a Housing Choice Voucher
Finding a rental that meets the requirements of your Housing Choice Voucher can be a unique challenge, but with Zillow’s advanced search filters you can get home with minimal hassle.
How does the Housing Choice Voucher program work?
The Public Housing Authority (PHA) receives federal funds from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to carry out the housing choice voucher program. The PHA defines the payment standard, which is the amount needed to rent a moderately priced home in that market. It also indicates how much a voucher will cover for utilities, known as utility allowance rates.
Get specific in your search
To find the right rental for you, search for rentals in your desired area, then filter for the number of bedrooms approved on your voucher and add a filter for the approved price point.
Apply early and often
When you meet with a property manager, bring your voucher paperwork and Request for Tenancy Approval (RTA) packet. The property manager might not have experience with housing choice vouchers, so let them know what happens next:
- The property manager will submit the Request for Tenancy Approval.
- The Public Housing Authority needs to inspect and approve the home to make sure it is safe and the rent is reasonable.
- Once the home is approved, the Public Housing Authority pays a portion of the monthly rent to the landlord or property manager.
Your voucher gets applied to your rent payment
Your housing voucher covers part of your monthly rent payment. Your landlord or property manager will be paid directly by the Public Housing Authority. Any rent still owed after the voucher is applied is your responsibility as the tenant.
Learn more about vouchers
Discover information about Housing Choice Vouchers and other resources to help you get home.
Affordable Rental Housing: The Basics
Get the rundown of basic terms and steps you should know.
Fair Housing Act: The Basics of Fair Housing Laws
Learn how the Fair Housing Act protects people in need.
Know Your Rights: Source-of-Income Discrimination
Learn how to handle source-of-income discrimination.
Housing Choice Vouchers Fact Sheet
This quick-hitting resource sheet makes it easy to understand HCVs.
Learn more about vouchers
Discover information about Housing Choice Vouchers and other resources to help you get home.
Affordable Rental Housing: The Basics
Get the rundown of basic terms and steps you should know.
Fair Housing Act: The Basics of Fair Housing Laws
Learn how the Fair Housing Act protects people in need.
Know Your Rights: Source-of-Income Discrimination
Learn how to handle source-of-income discrimination.
Housing Choice Vouchers Fact Sheet
This quick-hitting resource sheet makes it easy to understand HCVs.
Start finding rentals with your voucher
Zillow makes it as easy as possible to find rentals that match the terms of your voucher. Start applying today to find your next home.
FAQs
Read our responses to commonly asked questions about finding apartments with your HCV.
- Do housing vouchers cover security deposits?
Vouchers do not cover any security deposits you may owe upon moving in. There are other programs that can help with security deposits. Contact the PHA that issued your voucher to find out more.
