TO:
Prospective Section 8 Landlords
SUBJECT:
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program
The Section 8 Hosing Choice Voucher Program
has proved to be an exceptionally effective mechanism for
addressing the housing needs of very low-income renters.
The program helps very low-income families rent safe,
sanitary and decent housing in the private market.
Families are responsible for finding their own housing and
paying 30% of their adjusted income toward the rent.
Section 8 rental assistance makes up the difference
between the tenants contribution and the total amount of
the rent, bridging the gap between the cost of modest,
privately owned rental housing and the amount that
families can afford to pay.
Section 8 Voucher holders operate like other
renters in the private rental market. Owners of rental
units accept Section 8 participants as they would any
other tenants seeking rental housing. Like other tenants,
Section 8 Voucher holders must meet the Landlords
screening criteria, pay a security deposit, pay their
portion of the rent on time and abide by the terms and
conditions of the lease. Section 8 tenant based
assistance offers very low-income families the freedom to
choose moderately priced, private rental housing in
non-impacted areas.
Owners are
permitted and encouraged to:
1.
Screen prospective tenants and obtain references
from previous landlords.
2.
Collect a security deposit from the tenant and
review all lease provisions with the tenant.
The
following conditions must be met before a Section 8
Voucher participant can rent:
1. The owner of an available unit
must not be a parent, child,
grandparent, grandchild, sister, or brother
or other member
of the Section 8 family
2.
The tenant and owner must submit a signed Request
for Tenancy Approval form to the Housing Authority.
3.
The owner must provide proof of ownership of the
unit and must supply copies of paid real estate taxes for
the rental unit.
4.
The contract rent for the unit (the amount the
owner wants for rent) can not exceed rents charged by the
owner for comparable unassisted units. The rent for the
unit must be reasonable in relation to rents charged for
comparable units in the private unassisted market.
5.
The unit must be inspected and meet Housing Quality
Standards established by HUD, which are minimal but ensure
that the Housing Authority is not subsidizing substandard
housing.
6.
Once the unit passes the Housing Quality Standards
inspection, the owner must sign a Housing Assistance
Payment contract with the Housing Authority and the owner
and tenant must sign a HUD approved lease with the tenant
For further
information on the Section 8 Voucher Program contact the
Housing Authority at (724) 775-1220.
