The Rental Assistance Program (RAP) is the major state-funded program for assisting very-low-income families to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Participants find their own housing, including apartments, townhouses, and single-family homes. The participant is free to choose any private rental housing that meets the requirements of the program, as described below. RAP certificates are funded through the Department of Housing (DOH) and are administered statewide by DOH and by us, its agent, John D’Amelia & Associates. We subcontract operation of the housing choice program to seven local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) and one Community Action Agency throughout Connecticut.