Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers
For Welfare-to-Work rental vouchers, families must also meet special welfare-to-work criteria.
HUD regulations merged the former Section 8 Rental Voucher program (14.855) with the former Section 8 Certificate
Section 502 of the Public Housing Reform Act states that a purpose of the legislation is "consolidating the voucher and certificate programs for rental assistance under Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (the "USHA") into a single market-driven program that will assist in making tenant-based rental assistance more successful at helping low-income families obtain affordable housing and will increase housing choice for low-income families."
The Department of Housing and Urban Development's mission is to increase homeownership, support community development and increase access to affordable housing free from discrimination. HUD fulfills this mission through high ethical standards, management and accountability, and by forming partnerships with community organizations.
Program Accomplishments
Approximately two million families receive voucher program assistance.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Provides housing assistance payments to participating owners on behalf of eligible tenants to provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing for very low income families at rents they can afford.
Housing assistance payments are generally the difference between the local payment standard and 30 percent of the family's adjusted income.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Applicants are limited to public housing agencies.
A public housing agency (PHA) is defined as any State, county, municipality or other governmental entity or public body (or agency or instrumentality thereof) which is authorized to engage in or assist in the development or operation of housing for very low income families; and, a consortium of PHAs; any other nonprofit entity that was administering a Section 8 tenant-based program on October 21, 1998; or, for an area outside the jurisdiction of a PHA administering a voucher program, a private nonprofit entity or a governmental entity or public body that would otherwise lack jurisdiction to administer the program in such area.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Very low income families (whose income does not exceed 50 percent of the median income for the area as determined by the Secretary with adjustments for smaller and larger families) and, on an exception basis, lower income families (whose income does not exceed 80 percent of the median income for the area, adjusted for smaller and larger families). At least 75 percent of families admitted to the voucher program during the PHA fiscal year must be extremely low income families (whose income does not exceed 30 percent of the median income for the area).
Credentials/Documentation
In the Housing Choice Voucher Program, the PHA must support its application by furnishing data that the program proposed is responsive to the condition of the housing stock in the community and the housing assistance needs of very low income families (including the elderly, handicapped and disabled, large families and those displaced) residing in the community. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
The Department will publish a Notice of Funding availability (NOFA) in the Federal Register identifying allocation areas, amount of funds available for each area, and the selection criteria for rating and ranking applications.
Applicants will have at least 30 days to submit an application.
This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No.
A-102 and E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
Submission of Application for Housing Assistance Payments Program (Form HUD-52515). This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110.
Award Procedures
The HUD Grants Management Center generally makes the final decision based on the results of the rating and ranking process. Welfare-to-Work vouchers were awarded through a national competition in fiscal year 1999.
Deadlines
Applications should be submitted in accordance with the time frame stated in the NOFA.
Authorization
Housing Act of 1937, Section 8(o), as amended, 42 U.S.C. 1437(o); Department of Housing and Urban Development Act, Section 7(d), 42 U.S.C. 3535(d); Housing and Urban-Rural Recovery Act of 1983, Public Law 98-181; Housing and Community Development Act of 1987, Part 3, Public Law 100-242; National Affordable Housing Act of 1990, Public Law 101-625; Housing and Community Development Act of 1992, Public Law 102-550; Housing Opportunity Program Extension Act of 1996, Public Law 104-120; Departments of Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act of 1998, Public Law 105-65; Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998, Public Law 105-276; Preserving Affordable Housing for Senior Citizens and Families into the 21st Century Act of 1999, Public Law 106-74; Departments of Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development; Independent Agencies Appropriations Act of 2000, and Violence Against Women and Justice Department Reauthorization Act of 2005, Public Law 109-162.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Generally 45 days from the date of receipt and approval of applications.
Appeals
None.
Renewals
Expiring increments of Section 8 housing choice voucher assistance are automatically renewed by HUD.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
There are no matching requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
New funding is provided for 12 months.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Voucher for Payment of Annual Contributions and Operating Statement, HUD Form 52681-B; and Family Report, HUD Form 50058.
Audits
Periodic fiscal, occupancy, general management and maintenance audits.
Records
Those necessary to indicate compliance with Annual Contributions Contract/Housing Choice Voucher Contract.
Financial Information
Account Identification
86-0302-0-1-604.
Obigations
FY 07 $15,970,659,000; FY 08 est $16,051,000,000; and FY 09 est $16,253,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Amount necessary for the PHA to pay housing assistance payments and cover related administrative expenses. The housing assistance payment is generally the difference between the lower of the gross rent or the local payment standard and 30 percent of the family's adjusted income. The family may choose to rent a unit for more or less than the payment standard. When initially leasing a unit where the gross rent exceeds the payment standard, a family may not pay more than 40 percent of adjusted monthly income.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
24 CFR 982; Section 8 Rental Certificate, Rental Voucher and Moderate Rehabilitation Programs Forms, Legal Contracts, and Publications Handbook, 7420.8; Housing Choice Voucher Program Guidebook, 7420.10G.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
HUD Field Office listed in the Catalog Address Appendix IV that has jurisdiction over the area in which the dwellings are located.
Headquarters Office
Office of the Public Housing and Voucher Programs, Housing Voucher Management and Operations Division, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Washington, DC 20410. Telephone: (202) 708-0477. Use the same number for FTS.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
See NOFA.
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