The Uses of Discretionary Authority in the Tenant-Based Section 8 Program

Because the public housing agencies that operate tenant-based Section 8 programs have so much discretionary authority and because local needs and priorities are so disparate, it is to be expected that there would be great variation from PHA to PHA in tenant selection preferences, rent policies, and other policies affecting the housing opportunities available to voucher holders. The purpose of this study is to document this variation as well as to provide a record of what factors PHAs considered as they set policies to guide their Section 8 programs.