The Housing Authority of the Birmingham District is responsible for providing affordable housing to low- and moderate-income residents of Birmingham, Ala. The housing authority is a governmental department that is governed by the statutes set forth by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Housing Authority of the Birmingham District owns and manages more than 6,000 public housing units and administers 3,000-plus Section 8 vouchers. It also offers home ownership opportunities through a lease-to-purchase homeownership program and a Section 8 homeownership program. In addition, the agency provides social services, including referrals that pertain to financial assistance, domestic violence, families and children in distress and food assistance; transportation to daycare centers, elderly nutrition centers, field trips and doctor appointments; onsite security; and counseling regarding mortgages and mortgage defaults, rental delinquencies, and budgeting and money management.