An agency of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that insures home mortgage loans to people with low income or poor credit. The insurance allows private-sector banks and savings and loans to underwrite a mortgage in circumstances that would otherwise disqualify potential home buyers. The FHA also provides low-income housing through public-
housing developments and manages the Section 8 rental program, which allows renters to locate and rent apartments using vouchers issued by the FHA. Section 8 refers to the section of the law that created the rental program.