SECTION 8 HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM

What are Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers?

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV) is the federal government’s major program for assisting very low to low income families, the elderly, and the disabled to rent decent, safe and sanitary housing in the private market. Since the housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find and rent privately owned housing, including single-family homes, condominiums, and apartments. 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 such as Everett Housing Authority (EHA). The EHA receives federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer the voucher program. A family that is issued a voucher is responsible for finding and selecting suitable housing of the family’s choice where the owner agrees to rent under the program. Rental units must meet minimum standards of health and safety, as determined by the EHA. A housing subsidy is paid to the landlord directly by the EHA 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.

Housing Vouchers and how they work

When an applicant has been selected from the waiting list and has been determined to be eligible to participate on the program, he or she will be notified by the EHA and told to come in for a Briefing Session. At the Briefing, you will be issued your voucher and all of the rules and procedures about locating and leasing a unit will be explained to you. Applicants will be asked to update their income and housing status at this time to verify if either your household income or family composition has changed since your initial review.

Once the voucher is issued the individual has a maximum of 120 days to find a unit that meets the program guidelines. If a unit is not found during the established time period, the voucher expires and is then issued to the next eligible household on the wait list.

To Apply for Section 8

Utility Allowance Schedule 2023

Payment Standards Effective January, 1 2024

Section 8 Income Limits

Recertification Packet

Change of Income Forms