Section 8 Voucher Acceptance: Houston vs Pasadena
How do section 8 voucher acceptance rules compare between Houston, TX and Pasadena, TX?
Houston and Pasadena have similar restriction levels.
Houston, TX
Harris County
Houston Housing Authority administers the federal Housing Choice Voucher program for over 18,000 households, but landlord participation is voluntary because Texas preempts mandatory voucher acceptance ordinances.
View full Houston rules →Pasadena, TX
Harris County
The Harris County Housing Authority (HCHA) administers federal Housing Choice Vouchers for tenants outside the City of Houston. The Houston Housing Authority serves city limits separately. Landlords in Harris County may legally refuse vouchers because Texas and the county have no source of income protection.
View full Pasadena rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Houston | Pasadena |
|---|---|---|
| Administrator | Houston Housing Authority | - |
| Vouchers issued | Approximately 18,000 households | - |
| Tenant share | 30 percent of adjusted income | - |
| Mandatory acceptance | No, preempted by state law | - |
| Inspection standard | HUD HQS pre-occupancy | HUD Housing Quality Standards |
| Suburban administrator | - | Harris County Housing Authority |
| Federal program | - | HUD Section 8 HCV |
| City PHAs | - | Houston, Pasadena, Baytown |
| Tenant payment | - | About 30% of income |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Houston FAQ
How do I get a Houston voucher?
Apply through the Houston Housing Authority waitlist when open. The waitlist is competitive and often closed for years; check housingforhouston.com for openings and HHA-administered project-based options.
Do Houston landlords have to accept my voucher?
No. Texas preempts mandatory acceptance, and Houston has no source-of-income ordinance. Use HHA's preferred-landlord directory to find participating properties faster.
What happens after I find a unit?
HHA inspects for HQS compliance, calculates subsidy, and signs a HAP contract with the landlord. You sign the lease and HCV addendum, paying your tenant share directly to the landlord.
Pasadena FAQ
Who runs Section 8 in Harris County suburbs?
The Harris County Housing Authority (HCHA) administers Housing Choice Vouchers for most suburbs and unincorporated areas. The Houston Housing Authority serves city limits, and Pasadena and Baytown have their own separate public housing agencies under HUD funding.
Must Harris County landlords accept Section 8 vouchers?
Generally no. Texas and Harris County have no source of income protection, and Houston has no citywide SOI ordinance, so private landlords may legally decline to participate in the Housing Choice Voucher program.
Compare other topics
See how Houston and Pasadena compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool