Ive only lived in section 8 housing twice. The place I lived at I was in a Market apartment and when I lost my job at the factory in Michigan they let me live there rent free until I had found another job because of section 8 being there.
The current residence I live in is "technically" government housing but I live in a Market apartment which means I pay market rate for my 3 bedroom loft because I exceed the income for section 8.