Section 8 Housing Assistance

A Federally funded program providing ongoing rental assistance to low and very-low income families

The Section 8 Rental Assistance Program's Mission
To provide funding for ongoing rental assistance for low and very-low income families.

The Housing Choice Voucher Program
Allows low and very low income families to pay up to 40% of their adjusted income toward housing expenses.

How to Apply for the Section 8 Rental Assistance Programs?

Submit Your Application
The first step in applying the program is to submit a preliminary application. The application is reviewed for completeness and eligibility. If the family is deemed eligible, their name is added to the waiting list by the date and time of day that the application is received. The amount of time an applicants remains on the waiting list varies. Once the applicant's name reaches the top of the waiting list, an enrollment interview is scheduled.

To be eligible, the gross yearly income must be at or below the following:

The Enrollment Interview
All adult household members 18 years of age and older are required to attend the enrollment interview. In addition, each member is required to bring the following documentation:

• Social Security Card
• Photo Identification for all family members over 18 years of age
• Birth Certificates for all dependent children
• Proof of income from all sources (checking and savings account numbers)

Families with elderly and/or handicapped members whose medical expenses are not covered by insurance should also provide those receipts for the past 12 months. Failure to supply all the needed information will result in benefits being delayed until all information has been received.

What Happens After You Are Approved?

Once the applicant has provided the necessary information and is approved to be admitted into the program "Voucher" will be issued. The applicant will return a Request for Lease approval form on the unit that they wish to rent. After receiving the document, a Housing Quality Standards inspection is scheduled. No unit is placed under contract until the unit passes the inspection.

How Are Payments Handled?

All Housing Assistance Payments are issued directly to the landlord for the amount of subsidy being paid on the tenant. The tenant is responsible for paying their portion directly to the owner of the unit.

Yearly Re-Certification

After entering the program, each tenant is re-certified on an annual basis and adjustments are made according to either increases or decreases in annual income. The unit is also subject to an annual Housing Quality Standards Inspection.

For More Information or to Receive a Preliminary Application
Contact the Allegany County Department of Community Services, Housing Services Division
at (301) 777-2372