Section 8 (HCV)
Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8 “Tenant-Based” Voucher Program):
Housing Choice Voucher Program is also known as the Section 8 Program (Tenant-Based) and is a federally subsidized housing program by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by providing rental assistance (subsidy) to eligible households under a “Voucher” and tenant rent is based on household income. Section 8 Program allows tenants to rent a unit from an eligible private landlord who is willing to participate in the program, dwelling unit contract rent must be “rent reasonable” and not exceed KHA’s Payment Standards per unit bedroom size, and unit must meet HUD’s Housing Quality Standards (HQS). Section 8 Voucher is a “portable” Voucher allowing eligible households to transfer their Voucher assistance (subsidy) to another approved unit or to another Housing Authority and/or agency who administers a Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8 “Tenant-Based” Program).
KHA currently serves 969 households under its Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8 “Tenant-Based” Program) in the Cities of Kennewick and Richland and throughout Benton County, Washington.
KHA provides the following “Vouchers” under its Housing Choice Voucher Program:
- Regular Vouchers: (Tenant-Based Vouchers
- Family Unification Program (FUP): Referral Based Program, must be referred by certifiable State agency
- Mainstream: Non-Elderly households only
Eligibility:
- Households must meet the areas income limits based on household size (must be at or below 80% of the areas income limits)
- Meet requirements for citizenship or immigration status (at least one household member must have U.S. Citizenship or eligible Immigration status)
- Pass a criminal background check on all household members 18 years and older
- Based on previous participation in the program or other federally assisted housing programs
- Meet other established HUD and Kennewick Housing Authority (KHA) administrative policies and requirements
- Eligibility requirements and application procedures for the Housing Choice Voucher Program
(Section 8 “Tenant-Based” Voucher Program) vary from other subsidized housing programs.
Program Overview and Leasing:
Section 8 household (recipient/tenant) will attend a Section 8 Briefing to review program procedures, policies and be issued a Voucher. Voucher bedroom size is based on KHA’s Occupancy Standards per household size. When a Voucher is issued, household has up to sixty (60) days to locate, lease in an approved rental unit from a private landlord in the open market and for the unit size household is eligible and within KHA’s operational boundaries.
Landlord will complete a Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) form, which is signed and dated by both the landlord and tenant head of household. RFTA form will document such information but not limited to the selected unit address, type and year unit was built, contract rent, security deposit amount, unit utilities and appliances supplied by landlord and tenant, who will be responsible to pay for which type of utilities not included in the contract rent.
When KHA receives the original RFTA form, a Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Inspection and a rent reasonableness study will be conducted on the unit by a KHA representative to ensure the unit and contract rent meets KHA and HUD standards. If the selected unit meets eligibility, KHA will brief the landlord regarding KHA and HUD requirements for participation, enter into a Housing Assistance Payment Contract (HAP) with the landlord, documenting contract rent, housing assistance payment, tenant rent amount and landlord responsibilities and obligations for program participation. Landlord must enter into a Dwelling Lease with the tenant household and must meet standard provisions under Washington State Landlord Tenant Laws, other applicable lease provisions under KHA and HUD and will be reviewed and approved by KHA.
KHA will calculate tenant’s rent and subsidy amounts; tenant rent must not exceed 40% of the household’s adjusted gross monthly income. Tenant will pay their monthly tenant rent directly to the landlord and KHA will issue the monthly subsidy payment (Housing Assistance Payment – HAP) directly to the landlord by a KHA agency check and US Mail Delivery within the first week of each given month. All tenant household members who are 18 years and older must sign and date all appropriate program paperwork regarding tenant rent, program responsibilities and obligations for program participation. Annually, KHA will assess each tenant’s household income and conduct a unit HQS Inspection to ensure eligibility and program compliance.
Request for Rent Change
Landlord Direct Deposit Form
KHA Section 8 Briefing Presentation