Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program

NEW: Utility Schedule Allowance

Click here for information for Section 8 Landlords.

Section 8 offers rental assistance to low-income residents who wish to live in homes in the private market, but cannot afford market rental rates.

HISTORY OF SECTION 8 TENANT BASED RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM -

The 1974 Housing Act authorized the Section 8 Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program. It is a federally regulated and funded program through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that assists people in paying their rent and utilities. The objective of the program is to provide affordable, decent, safe and sanitary housing for eligible households while increasing their residential mobility and housing choices.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Each family must have annual income below the following income limits in order to qualify for assistance. The information regarding income guidelines can change without notice, thus, exact information about the application eligibility should be obtained by calling the Authority at 303-227-2075.

HOW MANY FAMILIES ARE SERVED BY THIS PROGRAM?

ACHA has current contracts with HUD to subsidize 1,384 families. ACHA seeks additional funding for the residents of Adams County on an on-going basis. As families become economically self-sufficient and no longer needs assistance, or when additional funding becomes available, applicant names are pulled from the Waiting list and are offered a Housing Choice Voucher.

Wait list information

WHAT HAPPENS ONCE I AM CONTACTED?

When the family is contacted regarding their status on the Waitlist, they must provide eligible citizenship status documentation on all family members including: birth certificates, social security cards and verification of all household income. In addition, a criminal background check is completed for all of the head of household members 18 years of age or older. Once the family is determined eligible for the program, a Housing Choice Voucher is issued. The family can then begin to search for a suitable housing unit of their choice as long as the owner/landlord agrees to rent to them under the Section 8 program.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT ONCE I HAVE FOUND HOUSING?

Once the participating family selects a suitable housing unit, a Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) must be completed by both the landlord and the participating family and then submitted to the Housing Authority. ACHA will then review the proposed owner’s lease to ensure that it does not contain any prohibited provisions. ACHA will then conduct a Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection of the unit. If approved, the landlord and participating family then enter into a lease agreement. ACHA and the landlord will then enter into a separate Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract.

HOW IS RENT DETERMINED?

The Tenant’s portion of rent is calculated as 30% of their adjusted gross monthly income (but no more than 40%). The total contract rent to the landlord will include the cost of utilities for the tenant. The tenant is required to pay the calculated amount directly to the landlord. The portion ACHA pays is the difference between the actual rent and the portion the tenant pays. This is called the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and is paid directly to the landlord.


For more information on Section 8 housing contact us at section8@achaco.com or (303) 227-2075.