Section 8 rental assistance program refers to a federal program in the United States that is designed to help low and moderate income families and individuals rent privately owned housing or apartments. Section 8 refers to the part of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937 that implemented this program originally. It is administered on a national basis by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and locally by public housing authorities (PHAs) and other organizations. The program allows tenants to pay approximately 30% to 40% of their income towards their monthly rent, while the PHA pays the remainder of the rent.