History of Section 8 (housing) in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 16, 2025

Section 8, a key part of the Housing Act of 1937, is a US program providing rental assistance to low-income households, with a focus on seniors, families with children, and people with disabilities (approximately 68%). The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) oversees Section 8, with local Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) managing the programs at the local level. The program aims to make housing more affordable for vulnerable populations by subsidizing rent payments to private landlords.

1937: Housing Act of 1937 Enacted

In 1937, Section 8 of the Housing Act was enacted to provide rental housing assistance to low-income households in the United States by paying private landlords on behalf of the tenants. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) oversees the Section 8 programs.

1937: United States Housing Act of 1937 Amended by HOTMA

In July 29, 2016, The Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA) amended the United States Housing Act of 1937.

1937: United States Housing Act of 1937 Referenced

The HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) voucher program authorized under section 8(o)(19) of the United States Housing Act of 1937.

1965: Section 236 Leased Housing Program Amended

In 1965, the Section 236 Leased Housing Program amended the U.S. Housing Act to create a subsidy program. Under this program, housing authorities selected eligible families, placed them in housing, and determined tenant rent. The housing authority then signed a lease with private landlords and paid the difference between the tenant's rent and the market rate.

1970: Housing and Urban Development Act of 1970

The Housing and Urban Development Act of 1970 introduced the federal Experimental Housing Allowance Program (EHAP) and the Community Development Corporation and authorized larger outlays for housing subsidy programs and rent supplements for moderate-income households.

1974: Housing and Community Development Act of 1974

In 1974, Congress passed the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, amending the U.S. Housing Act of 1937 to create the Section 8 Program, under which tenants pay about 30 percent of their income for rent, with the rest paid by federal money.

1978: Moderate Rehabilitation Program Added

In 1978, the Moderate Rehabilitation Program was added as a subprogram to Section 8, expanding the scope of housing assistance.

1983: Voucher Program Added

In 1983, the Voucher Program was added to Section 8. This further expanded housing options for low-income individuals and families.

1990: Economic Factors and Crime in Memphis

Anrig argues that economic factors are more likely responsible for Memphis's increase in crime, as male unemployment almost doubled between the years of 1990 and 2000.

1991: Project-based Certificate Program Added

In 1991, the Project-based Certificate program was added to Section 8, creating another avenue for housing assistance.

1998: Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998 (QHWRA)

In 1998, the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998 (QHWRA) was enacted, including provisions for the Earned Income Disallowance (EID) under US 24 CFR 5.617. This provision allows disabled people with Section 8 subsidized dwellings to have their rent frozen under certain conditions, aiming to foster self-sufficiency.

2000: Economic Factors and Crime in Memphis

Anrig argues that economic factors are more likely responsible for Memphis's increase in crime, as male unemployment almost doubled between the years of 1990 and 2000.

2001: Study on Housing Placement Specialists

In the Summer of 2001, Matthew Marr published a study of the Los Angeles housing market that examines the effects of housing placement specialists on the Section 8 voucher program. Marr finds that housing placement specialists function as an intermediary between tenants and landlords that help increase the mobility of Section 8 voucher recipients.

2003: Criticism of Section 8

In 2003, Howard Husock, criticized Section 8 as a vehicle for exporting inner city social problems to the suburbs in a book on housing policy.

December 26, 2007: Consolidated Appropriations Act Enacted

On December 26, 2007, the 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act (Public Law 110-161) was enacted, allocating $75 million for the HUD-VASH voucher program.

2008: Funding Allocated for HUD-VASH Voucher Program

In 2008, $75 million was allocated in funding for the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) voucher program, combining HUD Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance for homeless veterans with case management and clinical service support.

2008: Section 8 and Crime Distribution

In 2008, Hanna Rosin argued in an article published by The Atlantic that Section 8 has led to crime being more evenly spread out across U.S. metropolitan areas, without any net decrease.

2010: HUD Demonstration Project Coordinated in 2010

In 2010, HUD coordinated a demonstration project involving several Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), including those in Cook County (IL), Long Beach (CA), Chattanooga (TN), Mamaroneck (NY), and Laredo (TX).

2012: Fair Market Rents Example

As an example, the 2012 Fair Market Rent (FMR) for 1 bedroom housing in San Francisco is $1,522 and in New York is $1,280, while in many other places it is less than $500.

July 29, 2016: Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 Signed into Law

On July 29, 2016, the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA) was signed into law, amending the United States Housing Act of 1937 and making changes to federal housing programs, including reforms to income calculation methods, asset limits, and income review processes.

January 2017: Small Area Fair Market Rents Program Implemented

In January 2017, HUD officially implemented the Small Area Fair Market Rents Program (SAFMRP) to calculate Fair Market Rents (FMRs) by ZIP code within metropolitan areas, aiming to help voucher recipients move into higher opportunity areas.

October 1, 2019: SAFRMs Use Requirement Delayed

The requirement for the use of SAFRMs was delayed to October 1, 2019.

2019: Early Examination of the SAFMRP

In 2019, Vincent Reina, Arthur Acolin, and Raphael W. Bostic published an early examination of the new SAFMRP, which found varied results in different metropolitan areas. The study notes that Dallas, TX, performed well, while Chattanooga, TN, was the lowest performing city.

2022: Section 8 Voucher Usage in 2022

In 2022, approximately 2.3 million out of 5.2 million households receiving rental assistance used Section 8 vouchers. Landlord participation is voluntary in most areas, but some regions prohibit income source discrimination. Voucher amounts varied by city/county, unit size, and other factors. Recipients typically have 2-4 months to secure housing or lose their vouchers.