Section 8 Rental Assistance Program
What is the Rental Assistance Program?
Also known as the Housing Choice Voucher Program, voucher holders find a rental with a private landlord and HRA provides a subsidy to help tenant pay rent. Maximum subsidy under the program is the lower of the Payment Standard minus the Total Tenant Payment (TTP) or Gross Rent minus TTP.
Note: TTP is highest of 30% of monthly adjusted income, 10% of total monthly income, or minimum rent (if applicable). The housing authority will calculate the TTP amount based on verified information.
How Does the Program Work?
The family completes an application when the waiting list is open for placement on the waiting list. When the application nears the top of the list, the HRA verifies information to determine final eligibility.
A briefing is held, and a "voucher" is issued. The family may then search for a unit in the market which meets program standards, including housing quality inspection standards. The unit they are currently occupying may be eligible.
The family and the landlord meet to discuss rental provisions, and the family submits a "Request for Tenancy Approval" and any other required forms. The HRA inspects the unit, determines rent reasonableness and affordability, and calculates subsidy.
If the unit is approved, a Housing Assistance Payment Contract is executed between the landlord and the HRA to provide for the rent subsidy each month. The family would pay their portion of the rent directly to the landlord each month.
The unit is inspected once a year to ensure compliance and the family is required to complete annual re-certifications.
When and Where Do I Apply?
Applications for housing assistance are not currently being accepted, as the list is closed until further notice.
For more information, call the Stearns County HRA at 320.685.7771.