The Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA) is the state’s mortgage finance agency. Created in 1972 by the Virginia General Assembly, our mission is to help low- and moderate-income Virginians attain quality, affordable housing. Our vision is to be the Leading Mobilizing Force for Affordable Housing in Virginia®.

Our Guiding Principles are:

• Overcoming barriers to affordable housing
• Knowing our customers and offering programs, products and services that meet their needs and are easily accessible
• Attracting and retaining associates who are knowledgeable, mission-driven, collaborative, customer-focused and have a can-do attitude
• Using resources efficiently and effectively - people, time, money, technology and information - striking a balance between short- and long-term.
• Valuing relationships and respecting different perspectives
• Considering what is best for VHDA as a whole in order to address the affordable housing needs of the Commonwealth and its communities.

Having a good place to live in important.   Through your Housing Agency (or Ha), the Section 8 Rental Certificate Program and the Rental Voucher Program help you to rent a good place.  You are free to choose any house or apartment you like, as long as it meets certain requirements for housing quality.  Under the Rental Certificate Program, the housing generally cannot cost more than the Fair Market Rent.  However, under the Rental Voucher Program, a family may choose to rent a more expensive house or apartment and pay the extra amount. 
 
Housing Quality Standards (HQS) help to insure that your home will be safe, healthy, and comfortable.  In the Section 8 Rental Certificate Program and the Rental Voucher Program there are two kinds of housing quality standards. 

• Things that a home must have in order to be approved by the HA
• Additional things that you should think about for the special needs of your family.