At the center of the debate is the use of federal housing vouchers, often referred to as Section 8. The voucher is a supplement to help low-income residents pay for housing. Recipients are required to pay 30% of their income for rent while the voucher covers the remaining cost. Nearly 70% of voucher recipients statewide are seniors, people with disabilities or children, the county said. Nearly 5,000 households in the county use vouchers.