Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)

Information for Tenants

​

OWNER RESPONSIBILITIES 

  • Performs tenant screening prior to selection and leasing

  • Complies with terms of the HAP contract and lease

  • Performs all usual management and landlord functions

  • Maintains the unit in accordance with HQS and makes required repairs in a prompt manner.

  • Notifies the Authority when the family vacates the unit

  • All owner responsibilities are further defined in the HAP contract and the lease

 

FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES 

  • Supply all required information to the Authority and/or HUD as necessary for participation in the program

  • Search for housing

  • Pay their portion of the rent and adhere to all lease requirements

  • Permit biennial and other reasonable inspections of unit

  • Use the unit solely as the principle place of residence, agreeing not to assign or sublet.

  • Promptly notify the Authority within 10 days of any family composition or income change

  • Pay all applicable utility bills

  • Maintain the unit in the manner as requested by the owner

  • Notify the Authority and landlord prior to vacating the unit

  • Not be involved in any fraudulent activities

  • Comply with the voucher and terms of the lease

 

LHA RESPONSIBILITIES 

  • Comply with HUD regulations and the Authority’s Administrative Plan

  • Receive and process applications, determine eligibility, maintain the waiting list, select applicants, issue and provide housing information to voucher holders

  • Provide the owner with the participant’s current address and the name and address of the family’s former and current landlord.

  • Inspect the selected unit prior to providing assistance.

  • Determine the amount of housing assistance payment and whether the rent is reasonable

  • Recertify family income and composition at least annually

  • Establish and adjust Authority utility allowances.

  • Make prompt payments to owner

  • Enforce owner compliance with HAP contracts and take appropriate action for noncompliance

  • Affirmatively further fair housing and comply with equal housing opportunity requirements.

 

​

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

 

FAMILY ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

  • The family’s household annual income must not exceed HUD’s established income limit.

  • The family must be a U. S. citizen or legal non-citizen

  • Persons evicted from Public Housing or any Section 8 Program for drug related criminal activity are ineligible for at least three years.

 

AUTHORITY AND FAMILY PAYMENTS:

  • Payment Standards are established by the Authority and are based on the cost of housing and utilities in the Authority’s jurisdiction.

  • The family’s share of gross rent (rent to owner plus allowances for tenant paid utilities) must not exceed 40% of the family monthly income.

  • The Authority’s HAP payment will not exceed the amount of the Payment Standard minus the family total tenant payment.