What does "tenant-based assistance" allow voucher holders to do?

Tenant-based assistance, commonly associated with the Housing Choice Voucher program, empowers voucher holders with the flexibility to select their housing. This means they can rent any eligible unit in the private market, provided that the unit meets the program’s health and safety standards and that the rent falls within the limits set by the program.

This choice reflects the core purpose of tenant-based assistance, which is to give families more options regarding where they want to live, unlike project-based assistance which limits them to specific properties. The ability to choose from a broader range of housing options is invaluable, as it allows individuals and families to seek out neighborhoods that meet their needs and preferences, fostering a more equitable housing landscape.

Other responses fall short by either restricting the housing options available to voucher holders or not accurately representing the intent of the assistance program. They do not embrace the fundamental flexibility that tenant-based assistance provides, focusing instead on more limited choices or alternate housing avenues that are not typical under the standard voucher program.