<P> The Section 8 program initially had three subprograms--New Construction, Substantial Rehabilitation, and Existing Housing Certificate programs . The Moderate Rehabilitation Program was added in 1978, the Voucher Program in 1983, and the Project - based Certificate program in 1991 . The number of units a local housing authority can subsidize under its Section 8 programs is determined by Congressional funding . Since its inception, some Section 8 programs have been phased out and new ones created, although Congress has always renewed existing subsidies . </P> <P> The 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act (Public Law 110 - 161) enacted December 26, 2007, allocated $75 million funding for the HUD - Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD - VASH) voucher program, authorized under section 8 (o) (19) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 . This new program combines HUD Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance for homeless veterans with case management and clinical service support which is provided by Veterans Affairs administration at its own medical centers and also in the community . </P> <P> The main Section 8 program involves the voucher program . A voucher may be either "project - based"--where its use is limited to a specific apartment complex (public housing agencies (PHAs) may reserve up to 20% of its vouchers as such)--or "tenant - based", where the tenant is free to choose a unit in the private sector, is not limited to specific complexes, and may reside anywhere in the United States (including Puerto Rico) where a PHA operates a Section 8 program . </P> <P> Under the voucher program, individuals or families with a voucher find and lease a unit (either in a specified complex or in the private sector) and pay a portion of the rent . Most households pay 30% of their adjusted income for Section 8 housing . Adjusted income is a household's gross (total) income minus deductions for dependents under 18 years of age, full - time students, disabled persons, or an elderly household, and certain disability assistance and medical expenses . </P>

What are the rules of section 8 housing