Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program

The HUD funded program known as the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program provides rental assistance to low income families by contracting with private owners and subsidizing a portion of the family's monthly rent.  The family's portion of  the rent is based on their income and generally amounts to no more than 30% of their adjusted monthly income on rent, depending on the cost of the unit they select.

Families are re-certified each year for continued eligibility and compliance with the regulations.  In addition to families with children, the term "family" also includes single individuals who are elderly or have a disability.

A family can remain on the Housing Assistance Program as long as they continue to be eligible and fulfill their obligations under the federal regulations of the program.

Before payments can be paid to a landlord on behalf of a tenant:

• The selected unit must be inspected AND pass the inspection before the family is allowed to move in or receive assistance.

• A copy of the signed Lease Agreement between Landlord and Tenant must be given to the Housing office.

• A Housing Assistance Payments Contract (known as a HAP Contract) must be signed by the Landlord and the Housing Services Division.  This contract runs concurrently with the Lease  Agreement.  

When determining someone's eligibility for a particular unit, their adjusted monthly income and allowances are calculated along with the contract rent of the unit and the utility allowance for that unit.  This determines each individual family's  RENT LIMIT.

A household is generally issued 1 (ONE) bedroom size for each 2 (TWO) people in the household.  Age, sex and family status are considered in assigning bedroom size.  Reasonable accommodation for a disabled member that require a separate bedroom for medical reasons will be taken under consideration.  A live-in aide will receive a separate bedroom.