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Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Participant Briefing

This participant briefing provides an overview of the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, including how the program works, finding a suitable rental unit, and important considerations. Learn how to utilize your voucher and secure affordable and safe housing.

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Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Participant Briefing

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  1. METROPOLITAN DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING AGENCY Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Participant Briefing

  2. THE BASICS • The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program is designed to help families find decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market and to help those families with the cost of rent and utilities. Under the program, the family pays between 30-40 percent of its adjusted income, or a minimum of $50.00, per month for rent and utilities. MDHA pays the difference.

  3. HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS • A family is determined eligible.

  4. HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS • A family is determined eligible. • The family is issued a Housing Choice Voucher.

  5. HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS • A family is determined eligible. • The family is issued a Housing Choice Voucher. • The family searches for a unit to rent.

  6. HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS • When you find a unit that suits your family’s needs, ask the owner or property manger if they will accept Section 8.

  7. HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS • When you find a unit that suits your family’s needs, ask the owner or property manager if they will accept Section 8. • If so, you and the owner/property manager will need to submit a Request for Tenancy Approval form to the Section 8 Leasing Team.

  8. HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS • If the owner’s lease and rent amount are acceptable, the Section 8 staff contacts the owner and conducts an inspection.

  9. HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS • If the owner’s lease and rent amount are acceptable, the Section 8 staff contacts the owner and conducts an inspection. • NOTE: If you are providing the stove and/or refrigerator, you must make arrangements for them to be in place in the rental unit before the final inspection.

  10. HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS • If the owner’s lease and rent amount are acceptable, the Section 8 staff conducts an inspection. • If you are providing the stove and/or refrigerator, you must make arrangements for them to be in place in the rental unit before the final inspection. • If there are repairs to be made, the repairs must be completed and the unit re-inspected before assistance may begin.

  11. HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS • Once repairs are completed and the unit passes re-inspection, the family turns on any utility service they are responsible for in their name, the owner and family sign the lease, the family moves into the unit, and the owner signs a contract with MDHA.

  12. HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS • Once repairs are completed and the unit passes re-inspection, family turns on any utility service they are responsible for in their name, the owner and family sign the lease, the family moves into the unit, and the owner signs a contract with MDHA. • The family must have tenant-provided utilities turned on in the head-of-household’s name before MDHA will authorize assistance to start.

  13. HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS Once you move in … • Each month, a portion of the rent is paid to the owner by MDHA, and the family pays their portion directly to the owner.

  14. HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS • Each month, a portion of the rent is paid to the owner by MDHA, and the family pays their portion directly to the owner. • During the term of the lease, the family reports certain changes in income and family composition, which may affect the amount of assistance paid by MDHA.

  15. HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS • Each month, a portion of the rent is paid to the owner by MDHA, and the family pays their portion directly to the owner. • During the term of the lease, the family reports certain changes in income and family composition, which may affect the amount of assistance paid by MDHA. • Relocations are possible after the initial 12-month period.

  16. FINDING A HOME Don’t waste time! You only have 60 days to locate a suitable unit and utilize your voucher. There is NO GUARANTEE of an extension.

  17. FINDING A HOME You are free to choose any house or apartment you like, as long as it meets certain program requirements and Housing Quality Standards. We provide a list of landlords who accept Section 8 vouchers and you may use the TNHousing Search Website at http://www.tnhousingsearch.org/.

  18. FINDING A HOME • You are free to choose any house or apartment you like, as long as it meets certain program requirements and housing quality standards. • For complete information on Housing Quality Standards (HQS), read the brochure “A Good Place to Live!”

  19. FINDING A HOME • What to consider when searching for a unit: • Conditionof the unit

  20. FINDING A HOME • What to consider when searching for a unit: • Condition of the unit • Reasonable rent

  21. FINDING A HOME • What to consider when searching for a unit: • Condition of the unit • Reasonable rent • Cost of utilities

  22. FINDING A HOME • What to consider when searching for a unit: • Condition of the unit • Reasonable rent • Cost of utilities • Location of the unit

  23. FINDING A HOME Owners/property managers can ask for an application fee, so be prepared!

  24. FINDING A HOME During your search, remember: • If your income changes while you are searching for a home, you must report the income change immediately! Reporting changes as soon as possible helps prevent delays in getting into your new home.

  25. FINDING A HOME During your search, remember: • If your income changes while you are searching for a home, you must report the income change immediately! • You cannot sign your lease agreement until income changes have been verified. This process can take up to 2-3 weeks in some instances, and most landlords will not hold a unit this long once it has passed inspection.

  26. FINDING A HOME During your search, remember: • If your income changes while you are searching for a home, you must report the income change immediately! • You cannot sign your lease agreement until income changes have been verified. • Any balance owed to MDHA or any public housing authority must be paid in full before your assistance can begin.

  27. How much assistancewill you receive? The amount of assistance provided differs from family to family. It depends primarily on: • Number of persons in the household • Total household income • Amount of deductions and allowances for the household • A family’s bedroom-size voucher • The bedroom size of the unit • The amount of rent charged by the owner • What utilities are paid by the family and what utilities are paid by the owner

  28. FINDING A HOME “Fair Housing Is Your Right!” If you believe you’ve experienced discrimination during your home search based on race or color; national origin; religion; sex; familial status; or handicap (disability), you can call the MDHA Fair Housing Hotline at 252-6700.

  29. FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY (FSS) PROGRAM • The FSS program is a voluntary program established to promote employment and economic growth for families who receive Housing Choice Vouchers.

  30. FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY (FSS) PROGRAM • The FSS program is a voluntary program established to promote employment and economic growth for families who receive Housing Choice Vouchers. • The program helps participants receive the resources needed to obtain higher paying jobs that will move them toward self-sufficiency and away from public assistance.

  31. FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY (FSS) PROGRAM • Each participant in the FSS program has to commit to a Contract of Participation that will specify their employment and personal goals on achieving self-sufficiency.

  32. FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY (FSS) PROGRAM • An FSS coordinator will assist participants with developing their individualized goals and plans to succeed. The coordinator helps link participants to resources including personal and family counseling, life skills, money management, job training, educational programs, and employment and homeownership opportunities.

  33. FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY (FSS) PROGRAM • Participants in the FSS program can establish an escrow account to help build their assets, with contributions based on employment income. Many former participants have used their escrow funds to purchase their first home.

  34. GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE • For decisions affecting your Section 8 assistance, MDHA will notify you in writing. If you disagree with the decision made by MDHA, you may have an opportunity to appeal the decision.

  35. MDHA SECTION 8 OFFICE 620 Dew Street Nashville, Tennessee 37206 Phone 615-252-6500 Fax 615-252-6614 TDD 615-252-8599 Email Section8@nashville-mdha.org On the Web at www.nashville-mdha.org/section8.php

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