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Staff of the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program.
"Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success." – Henry Ford
Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Information
The Housing Choice Voucher is the federal government's major program funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to assist low to moderate income families, the disabled and elderly to afford decent, safe and sanitary housing in the private market. Housing Choice Vouchers are administered through the Housing Authority of the City of Frederick (HACF) to eligible participants who are able to choose any rental unit that meets the requirements of the program.
What is a Housing Choice Voucher?
The HACF Housing Choice Voucher Rental Assistance program is designed to assist eligible low to moderate income families throughout Frederick County to help pay their rent. Participants pay approximately 30% of their adjusted gross income to the landlord for rent and the balance of the rent is paid by the HACF in the form of a subsidy directly to the owner of the property.
Eligible participants may also use their voucher to purchase a modest home instead of renting. For more information, please review the Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership program.
Who is considered eligible?
Housing Choice Voucher eligibility is determined by family size, family income level according to family size, criminal activity and previous compliance with housing regulations. The HACF currently manages approximately 650 vouchers, which allow qualified individuals a broader choice in housing options in Frederick County. Please contact the HACF for more information.
How does the Housing Choice Voucher program work?
The Housing Choice Voucher program places the choice of housing in the hands of an individual or family to choose a market rate rental property that has passed the federal Housing Quality Standards (HQS). The voucher holder will pay 30% of their monthly-adjusted gross income for rent and utilities, and if the unit's rental amount is greater than the payment standard, the participant is required to pay the additional amount. HUD determines a Fair Market Rent that is the amount needed to rent a moderately priced unit in the Frederick housing market. The HACF determines the payment standard that will be used to calculate the amount of housing assistance a family will receive based on their combined income.
What happens when I am issued a Housing Choice Voucher?
The participant will look for a suitable unit to rent. He/She is not obligated to move and may remain in his/her current dwelling if the unit is acceptable under the federal Housing Quality Standards (HQS) and the landlord agrees to participate in the Housing Choice Voucher program. Participants must abide by the lease signed with the landlord and the landlord must enforce the lease. Both the voucher holder and landlord must maintain the property in order for it to pass an annual HQS inspection that will allow it to remain on the Housing Choice Voucher program.
What steps must I take to participate in the program?
Completion of a Housing Choice Voucher application form is required.
If you are eligible for the Housing Choice Voucher program and the waiting list is open, you must complete an application before your name can be placed on the waiting list. The HACF will contact you by mail when your name reaches the top and a meeting will be arranged with a Housing Choice Voucher program staff member. If eligible and your income is within the targeted limits, you will receive the voucher.
You must inform the HACF of any change in your mailing address while on the waiting list. Failure to do so may prevent you from receiving assistance.
What are the benefits?
- The flexibility in choice of housing and location
- A reduced rent burden based on your income
- An opportunity for improving your housing conditions
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Voucher
