What are Housing Choice Vouchers and How Health Centers can assist patients to access them

Health centers are increasingly addressing the social determinants of health for their patient population through partnerships and linkages to local housing and service resources. There are many resources that exist through partner federal, state, and mainstream infrastructures that should be part of a health center’s “toolbox” to aid in linking patients to local housing. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program is a long-standing, critical resource that provides housing stability through rental assistance. With a voucher, individuals and families are able to secure housing, certified by a HUD inspection to meet basic housing quality standards, in the private market. Those working in the front lines of health centers (case managers, social workers, care coordinators, etc.) can be key partners in linking eligible individuals to sustainable, affordable housing and providing health care to HCV participants.