Housing Subsidies

Federal Subsidies - Section 8

When HUD eliminated Federally operated subsidized housing projects, they were replaced with a tenant subsidy program which either allows the tenant to supplement the HUD subsidy with money of their own (Voucher) or the HUD subsidy will cover the entire rent amount (Certificate). No matter which program the tenant is under, voucher or certificate, the tenant is responsible for a full security deposit, to maintain the property in accordance with the lease and pay for all substantiated damages. Applicants are subject to the same criteria of credit rating, landlord history and income (with Voucher) as any non-subsidized applicant.

Leasing to a Section 8 Tenant:

1. Turn in Request for Lease Approval, IRS W-9 Form, Unsigned Sample Dwelling Lease, and 3 Rent Comparables. The prospective tenant will give you the first two documents. Complete the forms in detail, making sure the "Request" is signed by both parties. As soon as these forms have been received by the Department of Housing, a Housing Service Specialist will call you to arrange for a date to inspect the unit. Originals will be needed to complete the paperwork.
2. Inspection The dwelling must be inspected and must meet Section 8 housing quality standards. During the inspection they are mainly looking for basic health and safety hazards.
3. The Lease must be approved by the Housing Department before signing The lease must be for a period of at least one year. If the lease starts after the first of the month, it must run through the end of that month in the following year. The lease must contain an automatic renewal clause or must allow automatic indefinite extension of the term.
4. Sign the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Contract and Lease Addendum. Department of Housing will prepare a HAP contract and a Lease Addendum for all parties to sign, outlining program provisions.
5. Payments Before a check can be issued, the Department of Housing must have executed copies of the following: dwelling lease, lease addendum and contract. Once these documents have been received it can take up to ten working days to receive the first check from the Department of Housing. After the first check, the owner should receive checks from the Department of Housing on or before the first of each month.

* While local jurisdictions may not require property owners to accept Section 8 tenants, blanket refusal to accept will be construed as discriminatory. Section 8 tenants with good tenant histories, acceptable credit and the necessary security deposit may well be better tenants than those renting without subsidies.

State & Local Subsidies

For State programs, please look under the sections on State or District of Columbia data. For local programs, please look under the section for the local jurisdiction in question.