Helping People Experiencing Homelessness Use Housing Vouchers

Once issued a housing voucher, people who don’t already have a place to live may have difficulty using that voucher within the local rental market.

People who are experiencing homelessness may find it challenging to find available rental units that meet program standards, and which are managed by landlords who are willing to accept tenants with housing vouchers.  This can be especially challenging if they have health and behavioral health conditions, poor credit, histories of contact with the criminal justice system, or prior evictions.

With some extra help, vulnerable people can successfully use vouchers to obtain housing and exit homelessness. For example, some PHAs and their service-provider organization partners have worked together to streamlined the housing search process and provided assistance to make it easier for people who are experiencing homelessness to use their vouchers.