WHAT IS A HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER?
The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program is the government’s major program for assisting low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford safe, decent and affordable housing in the private market. The Voucher holder is free to find a suitable housing unit where the owner agrees to rent under the program. This unit may include the family’s current residence. Rental units must meet program standards for rent amount and for health and safety. The Voucher holder pays a portion of the rent based on their household income and the Housing Authority pays the difference to the landlord. For more information about the program go to: HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher Fact Sheet. LANDLORDS: Please take a look at our current Section 8 Landlord Handbook. You can also view a fillable version of our Owner Contract (HUD form 52641). These links lead to Adobe versions of this document. If you do not have Adobe Reader on your system, please click on the logo below to download a free copy of Adobe
In October 1999, the Certificate and Voucher Programs merged into a single rental assistance program, the Housing Choice Voucher Program. In the Certificate Program, a family was not allowed to rent a unit where the rent and utilities exceeded the Fair Market Rent, which is a rent limit established by HUD for each county in the United States. In the regular Voucher Program, a family was permitted to lease a unit where the rent and utilities exceeded the Fair Market Rent, but they were responsible for a higher family contribution toward rent and utilities. In the Housing Choice Voucher Program, the maximum subsidy (amount the PHA pays on behalf of the family) is based on the lesser of the Payment Standard (maximum amount the PHA may pay for rent and utilities) or the gross rent (rent and utilities) of the unit. The family may lease a unit that rents for more than the Payment Standard and pay a greater portion of their income for rent and utilities. A unit may not be approved if the gros
The HACF Housing Choice Voucher Rental Assistance program is designed to assist eligible low to moderate income families throughout Frederick County to help pay their rent. Participants pay approximately 30% of their adjusted gross income to the landlord for rent and the balance of the rent is paid by the HACF in the form of a subsidy directly to the owner of the property. Eligible participants may also use their voucher to purchase a modest home instead of renting. For more information, please review the Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership program. Who is considered eligible? Housing Choice Voucher eligibility is determined by family size, family income level according to family size, criminal activity and previous compliance with housing regulations. The HACF currently manages approximately 650 vouchers, which allow qualified individuals a broader choice in housing options in Frederick County. Please contact the HACF to see if you are eligible. How does the Housing Choice Voucher pr
