Also known as Section 8, the Housing Choice Voucher program helps low-income Fairfax County residents afford rent in the private market.
Quick calculator
Enter your ZIP code, household size, and expected rent to estimate your tenant share and voucher subsidy.
Open the Fairfax HCV calculatorWhat is the Housing Choice Voucher program?
Fairfax County's Housing Choice Voucher program helps eligible low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities pay for safe, decent, affordable housing in the private rental market. Participants choose their own housing, including single-family homes, apartments, and townhouses, as long as the landlord agrees to accept the voucher.
The program is federally funded by HUD and administered locally by the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority.
Who qualifies?
✅ Income limits
Eligibility is usually limited to households earning less than 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Extremely low-income households (30% AMI or below) receive priority.
✅ Citizenship / immigration status
At least one household member must be a U.S. citizen or have eligible immigration status.
✅ Background checks
Housing authorities may review rental history, credit, and criminal background as part of screening.
How payment standards work
Fairfax County uses RealMarket zones — Blue, Green, and Yellow — based on ZIP code. Each zone has its own payment standard for studio through 4-bedroom units. The payment standard is the maximum rent + utilities the voucher will cover.
- Blue zone — highest payment standard, covers higher-rent areas.
- Green zone — standard payment standard, covers most of the county.
- Yellow zone — lower payment standard, covers lower-rent areas.
If the contract rent is above the payment standard, the tenant generally pays the difference.
How much will I pay?
The housing authority generally sets your tenant share at roughly 30% of your adjusted monthly gross income, minus any applicable utility allowance. The voucher pays the rest, up to the payment standard.
Use the calculator to plug in your exact income, rent, and utility allowance to see the split.
Estimate my tenant shareFrequently asked questions
How long is the Fairfax County HCV waiting list?
Waiting lists can be long and may open and close. Check the Fairfax County Housing Choice Voucher program page for current waitlist status and application periods.
Can I use a voucher anywhere in Fairfax County?
Yes, vouchers can generally be used anywhere in the Fairfax County jurisdiction where a landlord accepts them, as long as the rent is within the payment standard for that ZIP code's zone.
What happens if my income goes up?
You must report income changes to the housing authority. If your income rises above program limits, you may lose voucher eligibility over time. The calculator can help estimate when you approach those limits.
Does the voucher cover utilities?
The voucher covers rent plus a utility allowance based on what utilities the tenant pays. If utilities are included in rent, the allowance is usually lower or zero.
Related calculators
🏠 Housing / Voucher Estimator
Enter ZIP code, household size, bedrooms, income, and rent to estimate tenant share and subsidy.
Open calculator📊 Income Limits Lookup
See 30%, 50%, and 80% AMI thresholds for your household size in Fairfax County.
Look up limits🧮 Work Scenario Calculator
See how work income affects your voucher eligibility and benefit rules.
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