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Who is Eligible for the House Choice Voucher Program?

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Housing Choice Voucher Program (Formerly Section 8)
- Who is Eligible for the House Choice Voucher Program?
- Steps to Apply for House Choice Voucher
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Housing Choice Voucher Program (Formerly Section 8)

The housing choice voucher program is a program run by the federal government for supporting seniors, families with low income, and people with mental and physical disabilities.

Multi-family Housing including: single-family homes, townhouses, or apartments, participants have the ability to choose the best suited rental unit for their families. It is the public housing agency that administers the housing choice vouchers.

The U.S department of Housing and Urban Development allots funds to each Housing Authority to run the choice voucher programs locally. Based on the requirements of the program, the participants are free to choose any rental where the landlord meets the standards for the dwelling and accepts the voucher program to subsidize rent. The rental units must maintain the minimum standards of health and safety and will need to be approved as a Section 8 or voucher program property. The tenant, landlord, and PHA all complete documentation for the approved unit. PHA will pay directly to the landlord and the remainder of the rent will be paid timely and according to the lease agreement to the landlord.

Who is Eligible for the House Choice Voucher Program?

The public housing authority has the power to decide whether you are eligible for the house choice voucher or not. It is determined based on your annual gross income, family size, and US citizenship (eligible immigration status).

Your annual gross income should not exceed 50% of the median income for the area. The income levels vary greatly by location and are decided by Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Although the Local Housing Authority is responsible for the distribution of vouchers, the Department of Housing and Urban Development mandates that 75% of vouchers are distributed to those who are under 30% of the median income determined for that area. This directs the vouchers to the most needy individuals and families.

The Public Housing Authority will collect information such as family income, assets, and family size during the application process. Once you provide all this information, it will be verified by the other local agencies, your employers, and your bank, during the evaluation of your application.

Upon becoming eligible by your local Public housing Authority, the PHA will put your name on the waiting list and will reach out to you to issue you a house choice voucher. Due to the overwhelming need for assistance with housing, wait list times can be long. There are times the PHA would need to close the waiting list as they would not be able to accept more applicants due to the limited number of vouchers available.