Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program

Section 8 is a federal program that provides rental assistance to low-income families in the private rental market through the Housing Assistance Payments Program. This program is a win-win for both landlords and the tenants. Landlords still have the ability to choose their tenants but if they select a tenant receiving rental assistance they are pretty much assured of a subsidy payment made directly to them.

If you want to see a copy of our latest plan approved March 30, 2015 can be seen here. 

Inspections

The unit must meet HUD Standards and the rent must be approvable within HUD Regulations. The unit will be inspected to insure that it meets HUD Housing Quality Standards. You will also be mailed a copy of the inspection repair list, if applicable.

The Inspection Department recently reported the top ten reasons why apartments fail inspections. They are the following.

   1. Faulty electrical wiring, outlets and other electrical hazards
   2. Missing or malfunctioning smoke detectors
   3. Peeling paint and crumbling plaster
   4. Poor heat and hot water
   5. Inoperable appliances
   6. Tripping hazards
   7. Evidence of rodent infestation
   8. Broken windows that won’t lock
   9. Broken locks/ security issues
  10. Inadequate apartment plumbing

Lease

After one year of having Section 8, the lease is renewed for a specified time period (ex. Month-to-month, six months, etc.). The tenant may vacate with a 30-day notice after the term of the lease expires. If the tenant remains in the unit, the tenant is recertified for eligibility and the unit is inspected for HUD annually, at which time the landlord may request an annual adjustment rent increase, which must be approved by the Housing Authority. This request must be submitted in writing to the Housing Authority and tenant sixty days prior to renewal.

How to Apply

Anyone interested in Section 8, needs to fill out an application at the Watervliet Housing Authority office. The applicant is then put on the waiting list. Various deductions will be allowed. The remaining figure after allowable deductions is called the adjusted gross income.

Families with a maximum annual income not larger than:

# in Family     Annual Income              

 1                     29,100

 2                     33,250

 3                     37,400

 4                     41,550

 5                     44,900

 6                     48,200

 7                     51,550

 8                     54,850