The Pasadena Community Development Commission administers the Section 8 Rental Assistance Program, a federally- funded program which assists very low income households obtain affordable, decent, safe, and sanitary housing. The assistance is in the form of a rental certificate or voucher which is issued to an eligible household. The household is responsible for locating a suitable rental unit within the city that meets its needs. The program makes monthly housing assistance payments to the property owner who leases the rental unit to the assisted household. The assistance payments make up the difference between what a very low income household can afford and the approved rent for the dwelling unit. Rents must be reasonable in relation to rents charged for comparable non-assisted dwelling units in the market area, and may not exceed the maximum levels determined by HUD. Assisted households must pay 30% of their adjusted income for rent. All units leased with Section 8 assistance must meet federal housing quality standards and be inspected at least annually. Approximately 1,300 households in the city are receiving assistance under the program.