National and State Voucher Utilization Data, 2004 - 2008

• Of the 2,191,371 vouchers authorized for agencies nationwide, only 90 percent were used by families last year.

• In contrast, 96 percent of authorized vouchers were used in 2004, before policy changes and underfunding led to a decline in utilization, representing a loss of vouchers for about 120,000 families.

• This year, housing agencies have sufficient funds, including reserves, to assist about 190,000 additional families, thereby using up to 98 percent of their authorized vouchers. To encourage agencies to make efficient use of these resources, agencies must be reassured that voucher renewal funding policy will be both stable and take into account the additional vouchers used by these families. Congress should enact the Section 8 Voucher Reform Act (H.R. 1851 and S. 2684) to provide confidence that renewal funding needs will be met in future years, thereby encouraging agencies to put as many of their vouchers to use as possible.

For state and local voucher utilization data, click on the map below.