Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section8)
What is the Housing Choice Voucher Program?
The Section 8 (Housing Choice Voucher) Program is a federal funded program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. The participant is free to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program. Housing choice vouchers are administered locally by public housing agencies (PHAs). The PHAs receive federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer the voucher program.
Who may apply?
Have you been a previous resident of EPHA or another housing authority and do not have an outstanding balance with that program?
Applications may be any type from families whose head or spouse is at least 18 years of age or an emancipated minor. A family can be a single person, a group of persons who intend to share residency, and disabled or elderly. An applicant must be income-eligible and a citizen or a non-citizen who has eligible immigration status.
How does the program work for a family?
After qualifying for the program, a family that is issued a housing voucher is responsible for finding a suitable housing unit of the family’s choice where the owner agrees to rent under the program. This unit may include the family’s present residence.
Rental units must meet minimum standards of health and safety, as determined by the PHA. A housing subsidy is paid to the landlord directly by the PHA on behalf of the participating family. The family then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program.
FAQ
How do I know when the Section 8 Wait List is open?
East Point Housing Authority will disclose this information over the phone. We also post the information as a Public Notice at our Central Office and place advertisements in the public notice section of the local newspapers.
What information will I need to provide on the Section 8 application?
East Point Housing Authority will disclose this information over the phone. We also post the information as a Public Notice at our Central Office and place advertisements in the public notice section of the local newspapers.
What happens when my name comes to the top of the wait list?
You will be sent an appointment letter by mail to attend an eligibility session. Your income will be calculated to ensure that you are eligible to receive assistance.
How much of my rent will Section 8 pay?
Eligible families pay up to 40% of their adjusted income toward their rent. Section 8 pays the remainder directly to the owner. The family is responsible for the security deposit.
How is the rent set and determined for each unit?
The East Point Housing Authority is responsible for ensuring that rents charged by owners are reasonable based upon objective comparable rents in the private unassisted market. The EPHA certifies for each unit which it approves, a lease that the contract rent for such unit is: reasonable in relation to rent currently being charged in the private market, taking into account the location, size, type, quality, amenities, facilities, management, and maintenance service of such unit; and the proposed rent is not in excess of rents currently being charged by the owner for comparable unassisted units and assisted units.
