Housing Choice Voucher

The Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV), commonly referred to as Section 8, is the largest United States affordable housing program funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD furnishes technical and professional assistance in managing these funds. The HA must create written policies that are consistent with HUD regulations. Among these policies is the HA Administrative Plan.  The Administrative Plan must be approved by the board of commissioner of the HA.

The program’s primary purpose is to provide rental assistance to low-income families, the elderly and the disabled for affordable decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private rental market.  This tenant-based rental assistance program ensures that families are not forced to spend an unreasonable portion of their monthly income on shelter and allows them flexibility in selecting a community or neighborhood in which to live. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses and apartments.

The Housing Authority of Lancaster (HAL) administers a maximum of 247 Vouchers based upon funding. With a voucher, a family is responsible for finding a suitable housing unit of the family’s choice where the owner agrees to rent under the program in the private rental market. This unit may include the family’s present residence.  HAL must inspect all housing and ensure it meets Housing Quality Standards. A housing subsidy is paid to the landlord directly by the HAL 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. If the family chooses to move, the assistance may be transferable.

Applicants can be on both the Public Housing waiting list and Housing Choice Voucher Waiting List.

HOW TO APPLY

Preliminary Applications for housing choice voucher are available only during the periods of open registration. We may close the application process from time to time due to an excessive number of applications on file.

Families or individuals wishing to apply for the Housing Choice Voucher Program must be 18 years of age or older.  When the Authority’s waiting list is open, applicants complete a Preliminary Application form on the designated day(s) and times when it is posted that applications are taken.

Before you begin the Preliminary Application, you must have the name, date of birth and Social Security Numbers available for all household members.  You must use the correct legal name for each member of your household.  You should also know the amount of income, assets and expenses for each household member.  You will also need to know your total gross monthly household income. Total income means all the money you and all members of your household receive each month from all sources. This includes income from a job, welfare, Social Security, SSI, pensions, support (voluntary or court ordered), interest income, etc. Gross income means the amount received before any deductions, such as taxes, etc  If you do not have all the information required, your application will not be accepted.  Incomplete applications and sections not filled in will not be accepted.

Submitted preliminary applications must be legible, presentable and no folds. No other documents are required at this time.

Only one application can be submitted per person.

By submitting this preliminary application you will be placed on the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) waiting list.

We require that you keep your preliminary application up-to-date. If you cannot be reached at the address listed on your preliminary application, it will be withdrawn. If it is selected for placement on our waiting list, it is very important that your information is accurate and current. The preliminary application for admission is held by date and time.

When a family nears the top of the waiting list, we will contact you by US Mail for more information and to complete the screening process that consist of the following:

• Complete HCV (Section 8) Application
• Signing all required consent documents, required for each family member who is at least 18 years of age
• Provide valid picture ID’s for all household members 18 years of age and
• Provide social security cards for all household members (copies are not acceptable)
• Birth certificates or custodial and/or guardianship papers
• Proof of all income, including letter from Social Security, Veteran’s Administration, pensions, employment, self-employment, unemployment benefits and child support payments
• Proof of assets such as bank accounts, life insurance policies, etc.
• Verification of child care expenses
• Verification of full-time student status for dependents over 17 years of age
• If the head of household or spouse is over 62 years old or over, or a person with disabilities, you may bring verification of medical expenses or anticipated expenses such as, health insurance payments, on-going prescriptions, doctor’s visits, payback agreement on hospital bills, etc.

If you or anyone in your family is a person with disabilities and you require specific accommodations in order to fully utilize our programs and services or have a specific question not answered here or in the application instructions, please contact us at halinfo@lancasterha.org or phone at 803-285-7214.

Waiting List

HAL will conduct an initial review of all pre-applicants to determine eligibility to be placed on the waiting list.  If an applicant is determined to be ineligible at this time, the Authority will send notification of the ineligibility.  The notice will specify the reasons for ineligibility, and will inform the family of its right to request an informal review and explain the process for doing so.  All other pre-applicants will be placed on the waiting list.

Placement on the waiting list does not indicate that the family is, in fact, eligible for assistance.  A final determination of eligibility will be made when the family is selected from the waiting list.

Eligibility

To meet eligibility requirements for the Housing Choice Voucher Program, a family or individual must meet PHA’s qualifications for admissions criteria in accordance with the Administrative Plan.

• Completed application with supporting documentation
• Meet not exceed income limits as defined by HUD
• Meet Citizenship/Eligible immigration status
• Provide valid picture ID’s for all household members 18 years of age and older (must have in order to complete the application)
• Provide social security cards for all household members (copies are not acceptable)
• Birth certificates or custodial and/or guardianship papers
• Proof of all income, including letter from Social Security, Veteran’s Administration, pensions, employment, self-employment, unemployment benefits and child support payments.
• Proof of assets such as bank accounts, life insurance policies, etc.
• Verification of child care expenses
• Verification of full-time student status for dependents over 17 years of age
• If the head of household or spouse is over 62 years old or over, or a person with disabilities, you may bring verification of medical expenses or anticipated expenses such as, health insurance payments, on-going prescriptions, doctor’s visits, payback agreement on hospital bills, etc.

Additionally, the PHA will examine relevant information pertaining to past and current habits or practices to include but not limited to:

• Credit History: Past performance in meeting financial obligations especially rent and utilities.  We run a consumer credit check on every applicant.  If you owe money to a previous landlord or utility company, you might not be approved for assistance.
• Criminal History: History of criminal activity on the part of any applicant or family member, especially drug-related activity or violence. A criminal check is run on every applicant.
• Debts owed to any Public Housing Agency

Local Preferences

The Housing Authority of Lancaster established local preferences for selecting applicants from its waiting list. Families who qualify for any such local preferences move ahead of other families on the list that does not qualify for any preference. Each HA has the discretion to establish local preferences to reflect the housing needs and priorities of its particular community. The Housing Authority Local Preferences are:

1. 4 Points for Lancaster County Elderly and Disabled Persons/Family
2. 3 Points for Lancaster County Families
3. 2 Points for Lancaster County Single Members
4. 1 Point for Non-Lancaster County Persons

ADMISSION

Once your name is reached on the waiting list, the HAL will contact you to complete the application process to determine eligibility. Applicants who are determined ineligible for admission are notified in writing stating the reason for denial. The applicant will be provided an opportunity for an informal review.

If HAL determines that your family is eligible, HAL will contact you in writing inform you of a briefing, and issue you a housing voucher.