District of Columbia Section 8 Calculator & Housing Authority Guide (2026)
Explore official 2026 HUD income limits, Fair Market Rents (FMR), and calculate your tenant rent share across all 1 cities and places in District of Columbia.
Major Cities & Metropolitan Areas in District of Columbia
Quick access to income limits, housing authority contacts, and rent estimates for key areas in District of Columbia:
How Section 8 Operates in District of Columbia
District of Columbia Housing Finance Agency & HUD Regional Office
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher programs across District of Columbia are operated locally by county and municipal Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) under statutory regulations and funding provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Source of Income Protections & Tenant Rights
Voucher holders in District of Columbia are protected under the federal Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability. In addition, federally funded housing developments cannot deny eligible applicants because they hold a Section 8 voucher.
Fair Market Rents & Voucher Payment Standards
HUD calculates annual Fair Market Rents (FMRs) and Area Median Income (AMI) limits for every county and metropolitan area in District of Columbia. Local PHAs set voucher payment standards—typically between 90% and 110% of HUD FMRs—to establish maximum subsidy amounts.
Without extra HUD approval, a payment standard is usually any amount from 90% up to 110% of the published Fair Market Rent for that unit size (24 CFR 982.503). Enter your PHA’s written dollar amount in the calculator; otherwise we use 100% of FMR as a stand-in.
Prominent Public Housing Authorities in District of Columbia
Contact your local PHA for waiting lists and applications. Links go to official agency sites or HUD’s national PHA directory.
Public Housing Authorities Serving District of Columbia
Local county and municipal housing authorities manage waiting lists, conduct housing inspections, and disburse monthly HAP rental subsidies across District of Columbia. Use HUD’s PHA contact directory to find the agency for your city or county.
Frequently Asked Questions About Section 8 in District of Columbia
How does Section 8 work in District of Columbia?
In District of Columbia, eligible low-income families receive a housing voucher from their local housing authority. The family pays roughly 30% of their adjusted monthly income toward rent, and the voucher covers the remaining balance up to the local payment standard.
What are the income limits for Section 8 in District of Columbia?
Income limits are determined annually by HUD for each county in District of Columbia. Most applicants must have an annual household income at or below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI), with 75% of new vouchers federally mandated for families below 30% AMI.
How do I apply for Section 8 in District of Columbia?
Applications must be submitted directly to a local housing authority serving your city or county in District of Columbia when their waiting list opens. Use our Section 8 calculator to check income limits and estimated rent share for your ZIP code before applying.
Complete Directory of Cities & Places in District of Columbia (1)
1 cities & places indexed