Information about Housing Choice Voucher Program Rental Assistance...
Household Income Limits In Order To Be Eligible (Effective 2/13/08)
# Persons |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
*30%Median or Extremely Low |
$11,250 |
$12,850 |
$14,450 |
$16,050 |
$17,350 |
$18,600 |
$19,900 |
$21,200 |
Very Low |
$18,850 |
$21,400 |
$24,100 |
$26,750 |
$28,900 |
$31,050 |
$33,150 |
$35,3000 |
*75% of the families assisted must be within the *extremely low income range |
How the Program Works
Applicants are placed on a waiting list and selected for rental assistance according to time and date of application
Single persons must be elderly, disabled, pregnant, in the process of securing legal custody of a minor, or displaced to qualify
As the applicant approaches the top of the waiting list, all eligibility criteria must be verified
When an opening becomes available, the eligible applicant is issued a Voucher with an assigned number of bedrooms they qualify for and authorizes them to find housing for rental assistance(may be a house, mobile home, apartment, or their present housing)
A unit must be selected within 120 days which is the maximum search time allowed
The unit must pass inspection by the PHA and the rent must be reasonable based on comparable units in the unassisted market
When a unit is approved, the landlord and tenant must sign a lease, and the landlord must sign a contract with the PHA in order to receive assistance payments
The tenant must pay 30% of their adjusted monthly income for rent and utilities and the PHA subsidizes up to the payment standard
Subsidy and tenant-paid amounts are subject to change during tenancy due to changes in income and other factors
The landlord and tenant must comply with the lease and all program requirements throughout assisted tenancy
The lease is for one year and after the initial year it extends on a month to month basis
Assistance ends with termination of the lease by the landlord or tenant, or termination of the contract by the PHA
Payment Standards (Effective 8/1/07)
Efficiency |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
$335 |
$414 |
$574 |
$748 |
$877 |
$923 |
Payment standards are used to calculate the maximum housing assistance for families
If the unit selected by the family has less bedrooms than assigned, the payment standard for the lessor number of bedrooms is used
If the unit has the assigned number of bedrooms or more, the payment standard for the assigned number of bedrooms is used
If rent and utilities (gross rent) are less than the applicable payment standard, gross rent becomes the payment standard
If rent and utilities (gross rent) exceed the applicable payment standard, the family may pay the difference to make up a certain amount
The family may not pay more than a total of 40% of their adjusted monthly income for rent and utilities
Benefits for Eligible Families (including eligible single persons)
The PHA helps families pay thier rent and utilities (based on household composition, income, and allowable deductions)
The family may select their own housing unit including outside of high poverty and minority areas
Under assistance the landlord may not terminate the lease during the first year except due to family lease violations
The PHA inspects the unit initially, annually, and upon the interim request to assure the landlord compliance of required standards
The PHA Strongly Recommends that Landlords Check References before renting to Any Prospective Tenant!
However, under Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, it is illegal to discriminate against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national oridgin in the rental of housing or in the advertising of rental housing. Block busting is also illegal.
Benefits for Landlords
Landlords may list their vacancies with the PHA under no obligation, and the listings are offered to families looking for housing
Tenant selection rests with the landlord
The landlord sets the amount of the security deposit
The PHA video-tapes the condition of the unit prior to any assisted lease-up
Under assistance the landlord still manages their own rental unit and has all the legal rights they would otherwise have (such as eviction)
Rent is due on the first day of each month with a 5-day grace period
Monthly assistance payments are mailed directly to the landlord
The family is required to pay their share of rent on time, live in the unit for at least one year, and otherwise comply with the lease or they can lose the program (a helpful incentive!)
The PHA may increase subsidy or pay full rent and help the family pay their utilities if the family encounters a loss of income or has no income
The PHA inspects the unit annually and upon interim request to assure family compliance of requirements
The PHA will video-tape damage to the unit when the family vacates if requested
Housing Choice Voucher assistance is administered throughout Pocatello and Chubbuck by the Housing Authority of Pocatello
711 N. 6th Ave.
Pocatello, ID 83205-4161
Voice or TDD Phone (208) 233-6276
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