,General Information/Waiting List
Q. What is a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)?
A. The Housing Choice Voucher program allows a family of low to moderate income to rent an apartment or house anywhere in the community.
Q. Is the Housing Choice Voucher waiting list open?
A. The Housing Choice Voucher waiting list is currently closed. Please check back for future waiting list updates. We do not know when the waiting list will reopen.
Q. How will I know when the Housing Choice Voucher waiting list opens again?
A. We will place an ad in the Public Notice section in the Frederick News Post and also have it posted on our website. You can also call the Main Office at 301-662-8173.
Q. Am I on the waiting list? / Where am I on the waiting list?
A. We now offer an online waiting list check option. Please note: any position numbers displayed are subject to change due to your application preferences and those of other applicants on our list. These positions can change on a daily basis.Please click here to check your status on our waiting lists.
Click here to update the contact information on your application.
If you are “Withdrawn” or “Expired” from the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) waiting list you cannot reactivate at this time.
If you applied for the Public Housing Waiting list and the system currently shows “Withdrawn,” you can reactivate your application by completing the Reactivate Application form and return it to our main office.
IF WE ATTEMPT TO CONTACT YOU AND YOU DO NOT RESPOND YOUR NAME WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE WAITING LIST. Changes in your contact information may be completed online at any time; however, changes to other information will require submission of a Housing Choice Voucher Waiting List change form.
Q. How will I know if I am at the top of the list?
A. We will contact you through the mail and request verification information if you come to the top of the list. WE WILL NOT CALL YOU. Please make sure your mailing address is up to date in our system at all times.
Q. How long will I have to be on the waiting list for a Housing Choice Voucher?
A. Depending upon your preferences selected on the application and funding available, wait could be six (6) months to six (6) years or longer.
Q. What if I move while on the waiting list?
A. You can change your address online or fill out a Change Form. You can print out a Change Form here. Change forms can also be obtained anytime during regular business hours at the front desk at the HACF main office.
Q. What if I want to add or remove someone from my application?
A. You would need to fill out a Change Form. You will need to know social security(s) of the person(s) you want to add or remove. You can print out a Change Form here.
Q. Can you mail me a change form?
A. We do not mail Change Forms. You can print out a Change Form here. Change forms can also be obtained anytime during regular business hours at the front desk at the HACF main office.
Q. How long will I keep the voucher?
A. As long as your income is not sufficient for you to pay 100% of your rent and utilities, you have not violated the program’s rules and funding is available, you will keep the voucher indefinitely.
Portability
Q. Are we absorbing or billing for Housing Choice Vouchers?
A. We are currently BILLING. We also calculate bedroom sizes differently than many other housing authorities.
If you are interested in porting your voucher to Frederick City, please contact your existing housing authority to see if you can port your voucher. Only your existing housing authority can decide if you can port to us. The current payment standards are below. NOTE: We calculate bedroom size differently than other housing authorities. For more information on bedroom size please call 301-662-8173.
Housing Choice Voucher Payment Standards (effective 10/01/22)*:
0 Bedroom $1,300
1 Bedroom $1,440
2 Bedroom $1,630
3 Bedroom $2,040
4 Bedroom $2,400
5 Bedroom $2,760
6 Bedroom $3,174
*Note: Payment standards will vary based on zip code within Frederick County. Please contact your caseworker for more information.
(Set at 110% of the Fair Market Rent)
To compute additional Bedroom Sizes, multiply previous Bedroom Size by 1.15
Q. When will I get my new voucher paperwork?
A. Once we receive your information from your existing housing authority, we will mail you a personal declaration packet. This packet must be completed and returned to us before we can schedule your intake meeting. You will receive your new voucher paperwork at your intake meeting.
Q. What is an intake meeting?
A. The HACF will review your responsibilities as a voucher holder, tell you the amount of rent you should look for and issue your voucher.