Housing Choice Vouchers
Section 8 Program Overview
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV) is administered by Northwest Georgia Housing Authority with funding provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The HCV is a federally funded program offering much-needed rental assistance to low-income families through the issuance of housing vouchers. These vouchers give families the freedom to select decent, safe, and sanitary housing based on their individual needs. Participating landlords provide families with greater choice and better housing opportunities for rental units located throughout the City of Rome, Rockmart, Cave Spring, and Cedartown. There are many advantages for the landlord as well.
These include:
Greater Choice
The HCV offers an available pool of prospective tenants. Tenant selection is based on the landlord's own selection criteria. It is the landlord's decision as to who he/she accepts as a tenant and it is the landlord's responsibility to manage the property!
Fast Processing
The lease and contract may begin the day after the unit passes the initial inspection and the family takes possession of the unit.
Maximum Unit Upkeep
Annual inspections ensure the unit is being well-maintained by the owner/manager and family.
Assured Rent
The Housing Authority reviews the family's income to ensure the family never becomes overburdened by their portion of the rent. The Housing Authority subsidizes the balance directly to the landlord.
Direct Deposit
The Housing Authority offers direct deposit to landlords.
Voucher holders are responsible for finding suitable housing based upon the size of the family and the requirements of the program. Voucher holders may remain in their current dwelling if the unit is acceptable under the program. The Housing Choice Voucher must be used within the Housing Authority's jurisdiction in the first year. After the first year, the voucher may be transferred to any agency within the continental United States that administers the Section 8 program.
Eligibility is based on the income of the household and the number of people living in that household. The tenant's portion is generally 30% of their adjusted monthly income but may go as high as 40% depending on the amount authorized as rent for the unit. The Housing Authority will be responsible for the difference between the contract rent and the tenant's portion. The Housing Authority will determine the extent of assistance the tenant(s) will receive and notify the owner(s) as to the Housing Authority's portion of the contract rent. The participant will pay a portion of the authorized rent directly to the landlord and the Housing Authority subsidizes the balance directly to the landlord.
