The Housing Choice Voucher Program (also known as Section 8) utilizes the existing private rental market in Dakota County to provide decent, safe and sanitary housing opportunities for low-income families, elderly, handicapped and disabled persons at an affordable cost. The CDA administers this federal program for all of Dakota County except South Saint Paul (the South St. Paul HRA administers the program for that city). Program participants choose a rental unit from the private rental market and the property owner must be willing to accept voucher-assisted tenants. All assisted rental units must pass an annual inspection based on federally established Housing Quality Standards.