When the words Housing Choice vouchers or Section 8 are mentioned, people tend to envision the ‘hood and then shake their heads as if to say, “thanks, but no thanks“. Unfortunately they are very misunderstood.
Actually, that picture is completely inaccurate. Housing choice vouchers, commonly known as Section 8, are about choice. The disabled, the elderly, the homeless or the very low to low-income seekers of affordable housing may qualify for these vouchers, then choose a home among several options which best fit their families and income.
Housing Choice Vouchers, How Does It Work?
The housing choice vouchers seekers may apply to their nearest public housing agency, which will distribute the funds awarded by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD. The seeker may then search for a home in a safe and healthy environment, without being constrained to choose a home in the the projects. The landlord or the owner of a rental house will be paid by the housing authority, then the family pays the difference between the voucher amount and the rent.
Housing Choice Vouchers Requirements
The vouchers applicants must have an income not exceeding the median income of the area in which s/he chooses to live. Generally, that constitutes half, but by law the housing authorities are required to give housing vouchers to seekers making 30% of the median area income. Total gross annual income in addition to family size will be factored in. The housing authority will check employers and banks to verify these requirements. The seeker will then be placed on a waiting list. The housing authority has some leeway in choosing who receives vouchers; things like homelessness, being burned out or paying more in rent than income supports can move a seeker up on the list. Upon a decision awarding the vouchers and following choosing a home, the landlord and voucher seeker will sign lease agreements. Then the public housing agency and HUD will sign agreements for the life of the lease, so that everyone is on the same page.
In The News
The Washington Post and UPI both ran stories in the summer detailing different possibilities of housing choice vouchers. In July, Dallas faced a stampede of people seeking housing vouchers after a two year dearth of funds. In the Post piece, the writer praised those seeking suburbia with vouchers, hoping that better job opportunities would help the seekers raise the standard of living for their families.
With the present economy, the waiting lists for the vouchers may exceed two years but this should not stop yourself from applying! Enthusiastic and hopeful voucher recipients often find locations that answer their needs. After all, the point of the whole exercise is to get people back on their feet with pride in being homeowners, and some use housing choice vouchers to buy great places they can finally call “home“.
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