RoxanneAre you finding it almost impossible to pay your landlord on time? Have mounting bills pushed you to the brink of eviction?
Instead of getting stuck on the street, you can get help from the government to keep a roof over your family’s head. And that help can come in the form of a Housing Choice Voucher.
If you’ve heard of Section 8 before, that’s the old name for this current low-income housing program.
To give you a better idea of how Housing Choice Vouchers work, let’s look at some of the program’s basics so you can get the clarity you need to start the application process.
A Quick Intro to Housing Choice Vouchers
As with Section 8, this low-income housing vouchers program was put together to provide families in need with housing that’s affordable, and even more important, safe.
What qualifies as a “family in need”? That depends on where you live and other factors, but a family in need is basically one that makes less than half of the median income for their location.
While funds are distributed locally by Public Housing Agencies or PHAs, it’s the HUD, or the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, that holds all of the money from the start.
The Housing Choice Voucher Application Process, From Start to Finish
As mentioned, Public Housing Agencies are the ones who disburse funds from the HUD to low-income families. For this reason, you will have to locate your PHA, as they will be the point of contact during the application process.
To find your PHA, go here and click on your state on the map. On the next page, scroll down until you see your city and the PHA’s contact information.
With the information in hand, you’ll need to make an appointment by contacting the PHA. The purpose of the meeting is to help you discuss your current living situation.
If it seems like you’ll qualify for a voucher, you can then start completing the housing application.
Pay close attention to what your housing counselor instructs you to do when making the appointment. They will tell you which documents you must bring and any other info that’s necessary to begin.
Although filling out a low-income housing voucher application may not be difficult, it can be time-consuming. You will have to list all household members’ information on things such as:
- Income
- Monthly expenses
- Assets
- Criminal history
- And more…
It’s crucial to be as thorough and honest as possible when completing the housing application. If not, you could be disqualified and run into other issues.
If your application is not accepted, you can appeal the denial by stating your case. This may be necessary if you have an eviction in your past.
If your application is approved, you will be placed on a waiting list that may last months or years due to demand. You can reduce the wait if you’re currently homeless, live in unsafe or substandard housing, or pay over half your income in rent.
After the wait is finished and your voucher is issued, you will have to find housing that meets the HUD’s standards.
The home will have to be inspected, and if everything is fine, you can move in after signing a 12-month lease.
Monthly voucher payments will be sent from the PHA to your landlord, while you’ll have to cover any excess rent out of your own pocket.
