The Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC) is pleased to announce that it will accept all 27,842 applications received during the open period of its Housing Choice Voucher Program (“HCVP” also formerly known as “Section 8”) waiting list.
HABC will use the information provided on the application to contact applicants. It’s important to keep all contact information (i.e., address, phone number, and email address) up to date, at all times. To check the status or update your application, please click on the button below to go to HABC’s MyHousing Applicant Portal.
View our video to see how the Housing Authority of Baltimore City's Housing Choice Voucher Project-based program can help provide you with subsidized units throughout Baltimore City.
The HABC HCVP Rent Estimate Tool provides an estimated rental range based on HUD’s Payment Standards and HABC’s established Submarkets within Baltimore City. HABC uses submarket payment standards and an analysis of comparable rental units to determine the rental amounts based on bedrooms and the property’s location. The actual amount offered will be an average based on the condition of the unit and available amenities. The tool is available for all voucher holders and landlords.
The Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC) has established Landlord Leasing Incentives to provide increased housing options and opportunities for voucher holders while incentivizing owners to participate in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program.
Click below to learn more!
Office visits are no longer required!
Please click the "Get Started" button below to report changes to your household in any of the following categories:
This HQS Reference Guide is designed to increase your understanding of how the HQS Inspection process works, your responsibilities as a participating HCV owner, and how to maintain your unit while under contract with HABC.
The Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) (formerly known as the Section 8 Program) is a federally funded, locally administered rental assistance program that helps low-income families, the elderly and persons with disabilities afford safe, decent housing in the private market. Participants may choose any housing type that suits the needs of their family, as long as the requirements of the program are met.
The Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC) receives funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer the HCVP in Baltimore City.
Through HABC's Tenant-Based Voucher Program, very low-income families may select and rent decent and affordable homes in the private market.
HABC's Tenant-Based Voucher Program is administered by its Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP). Currently, the Tenant-Based Voucher program is closed.
The Housing Choice Voucher Project-based program subsidizes privately owned units throughout Baltimore City.
Participants residing in Project-based units pay 30% of their income for rent and utilities. The balance of their housing costs are paid by the program.
Participants in Project-based units are assisted as long as they live in the unit and continue to qualify for the program.
My Housing Portal
The Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) is a federally funded, locally administered rental assistance program that helps low-income families, the elderly and persons with disabilities afford decent, safe housing in the private market. The participant is free to choose any housing type that meets the requirements of the program. The Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC) receives funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer the Housing Choice Voucher Program in Baltimore City.
How does the program work for a family?
After having qualified for the program, the family receives a housing voucher. The family then is responsible for finding a suitable housing unit where the owner agrees to rent under the program. (This unit may include the family's present residence.) The Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC) then pays a housing subsidy directly to the landlord on behalf of the participating family. The family is responsible for paying the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program.
Who can get a Housing Choice Voucher?
The program assists mostly very low-income families in Baltimore. The program takes families from its waiting list, determines the amount of assistance they will receive, and gives them a Voucher. The voucher term is for a maximum of 180 days with an additional 30 days provided as a reasonable accommodation for a person with a disability.
The Housing Choice Voucher Program of Baltimore City is located at:
1225 West Pratt Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21223
Office Hours:
You may contact the HCVP Customer Relations Call Center for program information at: 443-984-2222
