Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)
A federally funded rent subsidy, often called Section 8, that helps low- and very low-income households rent private homes. In New Jersey, DCA and local housing agencies run it and pay part of the rent directly to the landlord.
New Jersey example
The program is built on the idea that rent plus utilities should not exceed 30% of household income. Made-up numbers: for a household earning $3,000 a month, that benchmark is $900 ($3,000 x 0.30). The subsidy is paid straight to the landlord. DCA posts 2026 income limits by county, such as $38,100 for one person in Atlantic County.
Official source
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (NJ Department of Community Affairs)
This is a plain-English summary. Rules and dollar amounts change, so check the official source or a professional before you file or sign anything.