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Section 8/HCV

Section 8/HCV

Please be advised that THA is not currently accepting applications for the Section 8 Program and the Section 8 Waiting List is closed until further notice.

Attention Landlords in low poverty, high opportunity areas.  We want to partner with you!  Click here for more information.

What is Section 8 Housing?

Similar to Public Housing, Section 8 rent is based upon the amount of your yearly income. When you qualify, you are given a voucher for a certain amount of rent funding based on your income. Once suitable housing outside our property is found, the apartment or house is inspected to ensure that all housing codes and standards are met. If the landlord agrees to accept the housing voucher, then part of your rent is paid by the Section 8 Program each month as long as you meet income qualifications and Section 8 rules and regulations.

The Tuscaloosa Housing Authority currently leases over 1000 units through our Section 8 Program. Section 8 properties can be located anywhere in the city of Tuscaloosa or Tuscaloosa County where a property owner agrees to accept the program. Section 8 is a housing assistance program funded by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The purpose of the Section 8 Program is to provide rental assistance to eligible low- income families.

For more information please visit HUD’s website by clicking here.

Section 8

Additional Information

8 Steps to Receiving Housing Assistance
Step 1: Fill out an application.
Come to our main office at Rosedale Court and fill out an application for Section 8 Program. If eligible, your family will be placed on a waiting list.

Step 2: The Housing Authority determines your family’s eligibility.
Your family is selected from a waiting list and income and household composition is reviewed to determine final eligibility.

Step 3: Voucher is issued.
When your family is determined eligible for the program and funding is available, the Housing Authority issues you a Housing Choice Voucher. Your family will receive the voucher at a scheduled tenant briefing.

Step 4: Your family must decide where to live.
Your family must locate a housing unit that meets the program specifications. That can be where you live now or a totally different unit. The Housing Authority can help in some ways, but the primary responsibility for finding a suitable unit to rent is yours. Your family has 60 days to locate a suitable unit.

Step 5: The owner approves your family.
Even though your family is determined by the Housing Authority to be eligible for the program, the owner must approve your family as a suitable renter. The Housing Authority knows that the owner has approved your family when a Request for Lease Approval Form is submitted by the owner.

Step 6: The Housing Authority approves the lease and unit.
After your family finds a suitable housing unit and the owner approves your family, the Housing Authority needs to determine if the unit qualifies for the Section 8 Program. This includes a Housing Quality Standards inspection.

Step 7: The Contract and Lease are signed.
If the lease and the unit are satisfactory, the Housing Authority will enter into a Contract with the owner, and your family will enter into a lease with the owner.

Step 8: Housing Assistance Payments are made.
After the Housing Assistance Payment Contract and Lease are signed, the Housing Authority makes the initial payment and continues to make monthly payments to the owner as long as your family continues to make monthly payments to the owner as long as your family continues to meet eligibility criteria and the housing unit qualifies under the program.
Responsibilities Within the Section 8 Program
The Section 8 Housing Program is a three way partnership between the Housing Authority, the family, and the owner or landlord of the housing unit.

The Housing Authority’s Responsibilities

  • Review all applications to determine whether an applicant is eligible for the program.
  • Explain the rules of the programs to all families who qualify.
  • Issue a Voucher to the qualifying families, and if necessary, assist the family in finding a place to live.
  • Approve the unit, the owner, and the lease.
  • Make Housing assistance Payments to the owner in a timely manner.
  • Ensure that both the family and unit continue to qualify for the program.
  • Ensure that owner and families comply with the program rules.
  • Provide families and owners with prompt and professional service.

The Family’s Responsibilities

  • Provide the Housing Authority with complete and accurate information.
  • Give your best effort to find a place to live that is suitable for your family and qualifies for the program.
  • Cooperate in attending all appointments scheduled by the Housing Authority.
  • Take responsibility for the general care and housekeeping of your housing unit.
  • Comply with the terms of your lease with the owner.
  • Comply with the Family Obligations on your Voucher.

The Owner’s Responsibilities Interview families who apply to determine if they will be good renters. Comply with fair housing laws and not discriminate against any family. Maintain the housing unit by making the necessary repairs in a timely manner. Comply with the terms of the Housing Assistance Contract with the Housing Authority. Collect the rent due by the family and otherwise enforce the lease.
Deciding Where You Want to Live
There are many factors to consider as you search for suitable housing, so try to select a place that meets your family’s needs. Here are some things to keep in mind when you are looking.

Schools
If you have school- age children, you will want to consider the various school districts that are available as well as the distance from the schools to the housing unit.

Safety
When searching for housing, consider a neighborhood and its surroundings. Try to avoid high crime areas.

Work
Consider the distance between your workplace and the location of the housing unit.

Child Care
Consider the availability of child care and the quality of child care near your housing unit. If you work, keep in mind the difference between the housing unit, the child care, and your work location.

Public Transportation
If you do not have a vehicle, where is the closest access to public transportation and what times does the transportation arrive and depart?

Premises and Neighborhood

  • Is there a safe place for children to play outside?
  • Is the housing unit in a high crime area?
  • What is the general condition of the neighborhood and surrounding areas?
  • Are you close to medical services? Fire Department nearby?
  • Is there adequate parking for you and your guests?
  • Is the area/ building well lit at night?
How Your Unit Size is Determined
HUD requires that the Housing Authority establish subsidy standards. These standards are used to determine the appropriate number of bedrooms for families of different sizes and different compositions. The subsidy standards take into consideration factors such as the total number of persons in the family, the age and sex of the persons, and the relationships of the persons.

These standards help us make the best use of the funds HUD provides for housing costs, and to avoid overcrowding. The unit size for which you have been approved for is indicated on your Voucher.

Listed are just some of the factors that help determine your unit size.

  • The age of your family members.
  • The sex of your family members.
  • The number of family members.
  • The relationships between family members.
Most Common Program Violations
Most families who are selected for the program comply with the rules, but occasionally some do not. It is always unpleasant when someone violates the rules and penalties are required. To prevent families from embarrassment and hardship, the program rules must be thoroughly understood by all of the persons involved. The most common violations are listed below. Please call our Section 8 staff if you have further questions.

Unauthorized household members

The persons you listed on your application for housing assistance are the only persons who may reside in your housing unit. If you permit anyone who has not been approved by the Housing Authority to reside in your unit, it is a violation of your Family Obligations, and it may very well result in the loss of your housing assistance.

Under- reported income

Whenever you are interviewed by the Housing Authority, you will be asked to report all income received by everyone in your household. If a family withholds income, it causes the Housing Authority to pay more money to the owner than the law requires. This is a violation of your Family Obligations. In these cases the family may be required to repay money. In addition, it could result in the loss of housing assistance or, in some cases, criminal penalties.

Under- reported income

Whenever you are interviewed by the Housing Authority, you will be asked to report all income received by everyone in your household. If a family withholds income, it causes the Housing Authority to pay more money to the owner than the law requires. This is a violation of your Family Obligations. In these cases the family may be required to repay money. In addition, it could result in the loss of housing assistance or, in some cases, criminal penalties.

Sub- leasing the unit

When the Housing Authority approves your family, we approve your family only. It is illegal for any family on the program to lease all or part of their unit to anyone.

Not reporting changes

At the briefing, the Housing Authority representative will explain the procedures for reporting changes in household members, income etc. Failure to report these changes could result in repayment of money or loss of housing assistance.

Not providing information or documents

When the Housing Authority requests that you furnish additional documentation, it is because it is a program requirement. If you do not furnish these necessary documents, your application will not be verified and you will be ineligible for the program. This also applies every time you are due for recertification.

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