SECTION 8 OVERVIEW

The role of the Federally-subsidized Section 8 Program is to provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing to a tenant at a reasonable rent. The owner is expected to provide the services agreed to as part of the lease signed with the family and the contract signed with the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA). The tenant’s rental subsidy, known as the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), is paid directly to the property owner or designated payee each month. No charges or fees are assessed to owners for services provided under the Section 8 Program.  Participating property owners comply with U.S. Housing and Urban Development regulations, but retain control of most of the rights and responsibilities traditionally held by property owners.  Owners are responsible for maintaining the unit and making repairs as needed, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the lease HAP contract, including HQS.

In the Housing Choice Voucher Program, payment standards are used in the calculation of Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) that the Public Housing Agency (PHA) pays to the owner on behalf of the family leasing the unit.

Payment standards are the maximum monthly assistance that the PHA will pay on behalf of the family.

The payment standard for a family is the lower of:

- Payment standard for the family’s unit size indicated on the voucher; or

- Payment standard for the size of the unit leased by the family.

Additional factors that influence the HAP to the owner include the family's size and income, utilities the family is responsible for, and the cost of comparable units in the area. 


The LACDA has been designated by HUD as a SAFMR PHA and, in accordance with 24 CFR 982.503, is required to implement SAFMR-based payment standards no later than January 1, 2025.

SAFMRs are Fair Market Rents (FMR) calculated at the zip code level, rather than for the entire metropolitan area. SAFMRs are intended to more accurately reflect the local market and provide families with access to low-poverty and high-opportunity areas by providing rental assistance at a level that makes the higher rents in such areas affordable for them.

For areas where the SAFMR represents an increase in payment standards, the LACDA has determined the SAFMR amount has significantly changed from the current payment standard amount.

For areas where the SAFMR represents a decrease in payment standards: The payment standards will remain at their current level until the SAFMR standards meet the current amount. HAP may be adjusted based on changes in family household or income.

SAFMR-based payment standards do not apply to Project-Based Vouchers. Project-Based Vouchers will continue to use the metropolitan area FMRs and the payment standard schedule effective on November 11, 2022.