Qualify for Affordable Housing? Check Your Eligibility Now
The Housing Choice Voucher Program provides low-income families, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities the opportunity to live in safe and sanitary housing of their choice. To apply for the voucher, individuals must be placed on a waiting list through their local public housing agency (PHA).
Eligibility Requirements for Housing Choice Voucher
Income and family size are the main factors considered when determining eligibility for the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
PHAs calculate eligibility based on the median income for the county, and applicants must provide their gross income and family size on the application.
To be eligible, the applicant's income must not exceed 50% of the county's median income.
Only US citizens or non-citizens with eligible immigration status are eligible to apply for the voucher program. The program primarily serves elderly individuals, people with disabilities, and low-income families who may already receive public assistance.
Housing Choice Vouchers: Giving Tenants a Choice
The Housing Choice Voucher program helps low-income families, the elderly, and disabled to live in a safe and sanitary residence of their choice.
To be eligible, applicants must meet certain income and family size requirements, be a US citizen or have eligible immigration status, and provide their gross income and family size.
The goal of the program is to let tenants choose where they live and not limit their options due to affordability.
The program also ensures that families do not spend more than 30% of their income on housing, allowing them to pay for other essentials.
Landlord Requirements for Housing Choice Vouchers
In 19 states and many cities and counties, there are regulations that prohibit landlords from discriminating against tenants who use Housing Choice Vouchers.
However, this does not mean landlords are required to accept all voucher tenants.
The use of a voucher cannot be the sole reason for turning down a tenant, but the landlord still has the right to reject a tenant with a history of not paying rent or damaging properties.
Additionally, if the rental rate is higher than the government’s acceptable limit but still considered reasonable for the area, the landlord is not obligated to lower the rent.
Convincing a Landlord to Accept a Voucher
According to an Urban Institute study, only 1 in 39 classified housing ads qualified for Housing Choice Vouchers, making it challenging for tenants to find a landlord who will accept their voucher.
To increase the chances of finding a place, tenants can:
- Highlight that 70% of their rent is guaranteed by the federal government
- Show a good history of paying rent, either under the voucher program or in other rental situations
- Provide a reliable source of income to pay the 30% share of the rent
- Present a history of leaving previous rentals in good condition, with letters of recommendation from previous landlords
- Have a family member or friend vouch for the tenant and offer to pay the rent in case of a financial emergency
Discrimination Complaints
If tenants believe they are being discriminated against for using a voucher, they can file a Fair Housing Discrimination Complaint online or by calling 1-800-669-9777.
