The housing system uses a lot of specialized terms and acronyms. This glossary is here to help you understand what they mean in plain language. Use it whenever you encounter unfamiliar terminology.
A
ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)
Federal law that protects people with disabilities from discrimination and requires housing to be accessible. This means landlords must allow service animals, make reasonable accommodations (like grab bars or ramps), and ensure buildings meet accessibility standards.
AMI (Area Median Income)
The middle income level in your county—50% of households earn more, 50% earn less. Affordable housing programs use AMI thresholds (like 30% AMI or 80% AMI) to determine who qualifies. For example, if your area's AMI is $60,000, then 80% AMI would be $48,000.
C
CDBG (Community Development Block Grant)
Federal funding that local governments use to support affordable housing, community services, and economic development. Money comes from HUD and is distributed to cities and counties.
CoC (Continuum of Care)
A regional network of organizations that work together to address homelessness. Each CoC includes shelters, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, and services for people experiencing homelessness.
E
EHV (Emergency Housing Voucher)
Fast-track vouchers created during the pandemic to help people quickly move out of homelessness or dangerous housing situations. They have shorter waiting periods and flexible eligibility rules compared to regular Section 8 vouchers.
EIV (Enterprise Income Verification)
A federal database that HUD uses to verify income information. When you apply for housing assistance, the program checks EIV to confirm your reported income matches Social Security, IRS, and unemployment records.
F
Fair Market Rent (FMR)
The average rent for a typical, safe apartment in your area. HUD sets FMR amounts for each county and bedroom size. Section 8 voucher amounts are based on FMR—if your rent exceeds the FMR, you may have to pay the difference out of pocket.
FSS (Family Self-Sufficiency)
A program that helps voucher holders increase their income and eventually become independent of housing assistance. You work with a case manager to set goals (like getting a job or education), and they connect you to resources while you work toward self-sufficiency.
FUP (Family Unification Program)
A voucher program specifically for youth aging out of foster care or families separated due to housing instability. It provides housing assistance and support services for up to 5 years.
G
GI Bill Housing Allowance
Monthly stipend for veterans using their GI Bill education benefits to pursue training or education. The housing allowance amount depends on your school location and enrollment intensity.
GPD (Grant and Per Diem)
A federal program that provides funding to nonprofits offering transitional housing and services for chronically homeless veterans. It helps veterans work toward permanent housing while receiving support.
H
HAP (Housing Assistance Payment)
The monthly check your landlord receives from the housing authority. The HAP covers the difference between your rent and what you pay (usually 30% of your income). Without HAP, Section 8 wouldn't work—it's what makes rental assistance possible.
HCV (Housing Choice Voucher)
The official name for Section 8 vouchers. It's called "choice" because you can choose any apartment (that meets standards) instead of living in government-owned housing. You pay a portion of rent; the voucher pays the rest.
HOME Program
Federal funding that states and local governments use to build and rehabilitate affordable rental and ownership housing. Money supports new construction, down payments, and rehabilitation of homes.
HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS)
Federal program providing housing assistance and support services for low-income people living with HIV/AIDS and their families. Services can include rental assistance, housing counseling, and supportive services.
HQS (Housing Quality Standards)
Federal safety and livability standards for rental housing. Before approving a unit, the housing authority sends an inspector to ensure it meets HQS: working heat, electricity, plumbing, no lead paint, adequate space, and other basic requirements.
HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development)
The federal agency that administers most affordable housing programs and vouchers. HUD sets rules, distributes funding, and oversees the housing system nationwide.
HUD-VASH (HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing)
A partnership program providing Section 8 vouchers plus case management services for homeless veterans. HUD provides vouchers; the VA provides supportive services to help veterans achieve housing stability.
I
Income Limits (30%, 50%, 80% AMI)
Income thresholds that determine housing program eligibility. Programs serve different income tiers: very low-income (30% AMI), low-income (50% AMI), and moderate-income (80% AMI). A program might serve anyone under 50% AMI, meaning you need to earn less than 50% of your area's median income to qualify.
Inspection (HQS)
The official walkthrough where a housing authority inspector checks if your rental unit meets Housing Quality Standards. You must pass inspection before the landlord starts receiving HAP payments.
L
Lease-up
The period when a new affordable housing building is finding tenants and moving them in. During lease-up, the property may offer move-in incentives or more flexible requirements to fill units quickly.
LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program)
Federal program helping low-income households pay heating and cooling bills. If you qualify, LIHEAP can help you avoid utility shutoffs and reduce energy costs, especially in winter months.
LIHTC (Low-Income Housing Tax Credit)
A federal tax incentive that encourages private developers to build and renovate affordable housing. Investors get tax credits for funding affordable units—it's one of the biggest sources of new affordable rental housing in America.
M
MTW (Moving to Work)
An experimental program allowing 39 select housing authorities to test new approaches to administering vouchers. MTW agencies can adjust voucher rules, income limits, and rent calculations to try innovative housing solutions.
N
NHTF (National Housing Trust Fund)
Federal funding that states must use to build or preserve affordable housing for households earning 30% AMI or less. All funds go toward permanent affordable housing for the lowest-income renters.
P
PBV (Project-Based Voucher)
A voucher attached to a specific building instead of you as a person. The voucher stays at that property and moves to the next tenant—you get the benefit of reduced rent at that specific location.
PHA (Public Housing Authority/Agency)
The local organization that administers Section 8 vouchers, applications, inspections, and recertification in your area. Your PHA determines income limits, waiting lists, and manages your housing assistance.
Portability
The ability to move with your Section 8 voucher to another city or county and keep it active. If you port your voucher, the housing authority in your new location takes over your case while your home PHA keeps your place on their waiting list.
PATH Program (Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness)
Federal funding for mental health and support services for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. PATH funds case management, treatment services, and outreach, not permanent housing.
Public Housing
Rental housing owned and operated by local housing authorities. It's different from Section 8 vouchers—with public housing, you live in a government-owned building. Rent is based on your income, usually 30% of what you earn.
R
Reasonable Accommodation
A change to housing rules or procedures to ensure someone with a disability has equal access. Examples: allowing a service dog, permitting an emotional support animal, allowing a caregiver to visit anytime, or parking closer to the entrance. Landlords must provide them unless it creates hardship.
Recertification
The annual (or sometimes more frequent) review where the housing authority re-examines your income and household composition. If your income increased, your rent portion goes up. If it decreased, your rent goes down.
RFTA (Request for Tenancy Approval)
The official form you submit to the housing authority when you've found an apartment and want to use your Section 8 voucher. The landlord and tenant both sign it, and the housing authority approves the lease terms before you can move in.
S
Section 8
The most common federal rental assistance program (officially called Housing Choice Vouchers). You receive a voucher that covers part of your rent; you pay the rest (typically 30% of your income). You can use it at any landlord who accepts it.
Section 202
Federal program providing affordable housing and supportive services for very low-income seniors. HUD funds construction or renovation; residents pay rent based on 30% of income.
Section 811
Federal program providing affordable housing and supportive services for very low-income people with disabilities. Residents pay rent based on 30% of income and receive access to support services.
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)
Federal program providing food assistance to low-income individuals and families (formerly called food stamps). SNAP eligibility is often linked to housing programs and affects your overall household income calculation.
SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance)
Federal benefits for people with disabilities or long-term illnesses who have work history. Income from SSDI counts when determining housing assistance eligibility and rent portions.
SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
Federal benefits for very low-income seniors (65+), blind, or disabled people. SSI counts as countable income for housing assistance and many housing programs prioritize SSI recipients.
SSVF (Supportive Services for Veteran Families)
Federal program providing case management and supportive services to help low-income veteran families avoid homelessness. It pairs with housing assistance to keep veterans stably housed.
Subsidized Housing
Any housing where you pay less than market rate because of government assistance—includes Section 8, public housing, Section 202/811, and affordability-restricted rental buildings.
T
TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)
Federal program providing cash assistance to low-income families with children. TANF benefits count as income for housing assistance and some housing programs prioritize TANF recipients.
TBV (Tenant-Based Voucher)
A voucher that belongs to you as a person (not attached to a building). You can take your TBV to any landlord who accepts vouchers, making it more flexible than project-based assistance.
TBRA (Tenant-Based Rental Assistance)
General term for programs where you receive rental assistance that moves with you (like Section 8 vouchers or emergency rental assistance). You're not locked into one building.
U
Utility Allowance
An amount HUD deducts from your rent calculation to account for utilities you pay separately. If utilities are high in your area, the allowance is higher, lowering how much you pay in rent portion.
V
VAWA (Violence Against Women Act)
Federal law protecting tenants from housing discrimination based on domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. It lets survivors break leases safely and maintain housing without abusers knowing their address.
Voucher
A rental assistance certificate (like a Section 8 voucher) that pays part of your rent. You find your own apartment and pay your portion; the voucher pays the rest to the landlord.
W
Waiting List
The queue of people waiting for housing assistance. Most housing authorities have long waiting lists (sometimes years). Some have closed waiting lists, meaning they're not accepting new applicants right now.
Weatherization Assistance Program
Federal program improving home energy efficiency for low-income households. Services include insulation, air sealing, HVAC repair, and other upgrades that reduce energy bills and improve comfort.