Housing Stability Voucher Program — Who Qualifies & How It Works

📌 What Housing Stability Vouchers Are

Housing Stability Vouchers (often called “Stability Vouchers”) are a special form of Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance funded by HUD and targeted to people facing homelessness or severe housing instability. They are awarded to local Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) that partner with Continuums of Care (CoCs) and other homeless service systems. The goal is to move people from shelters, the street, or unsafe situations into stable, long-term housing. hudexchange.info+1


📊 Who Can Qualify for a Stability Voucher

• People experiencing literal homelessness (shelter, street, or places not meant for habitation) County of San Mateo, CA
• Households at risk of homelessness due to very low income, eviction, or unstable housing
• People fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking County of San Mateo, CA
• Veterans and families with at least one veteran member who meet one of the above categories County of San Mateo, CA+1
• Individuals prioritized through a local Coordinated Entry system run by the CoC


💵 What the Voucher Covers

• A portion of monthly rent in privately owned housing, similar to regular Housing Choice Vouchers Federal Register
• Tenant typically pays about 30% of adjusted income toward rent; the voucher covers the rest, up to program limits
• Some programs can combine Stability Vouchers with supportive services such as case management, health care, or recovery support ncsha.org+1
• Vouchers are long-term rental assistance, not short one-time emergency payments
• Funding and the number of vouchers are limited, so not every eligible household will receive one


📋 How Referrals and Applications Work

• Households usually cannot apply directly to the housing authority for Stability Vouchers
• Instead, referrals come from the local Continuum of Care through a Coordinated Entry System washingtoncountyor.gov+1
• Homeless service providers, outreach teams, or case managers complete assessments and add people to a prioritized list
• The PHA uses that list to offer available vouchers to the highest-need households
• Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between PHAs and CoCs set roles, referral processes, and prioritization plans washingtoncountyor.gov+1


📝 Working With PHAs, CoCs, and Landlords

• PHAs handle voucher issuance, rent calculations, inspections, and payments to landlords Federal Register
• CoCs and partner agencies provide outreach, assessments, and supportive services for referred households hudexchange.info+1
• Landlords sign leases with tenants and separate agreements with the PHA to receive subsidy
• Supportive housing projects may reserve units specifically for Stability Voucher tenants
• Strong collaboration between agencies, landlords, and service providers is critical for long-term housing stability


💡 Tips for Households Seeking a Stability Voucher

• Connect with local homeless services, shelters, outreach teams, or community housing agencies
• Ask if your community uses a Coordinated Entry System for housing referrals
• Share accurate information about your housing situation, health, and safety needs
• Stay in touch with case managers so they can update your status or documents
• If you are a veteran, contact VA or local veteran service organizations, as many communities pair Stability Vouchers with veteran-focused programs The White House+1


⭐ Final Thoughts

The Housing Stability Voucher Program is designed for people facing the most serious housing crises—homelessness, unsafe environments, or extreme housing instability. By pairing long-term rental assistance with coordinated referrals and supportive services, the program helps vulnerable households move into safer, more stable homes and reduce the risk of returning to homelessness.

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