Who is my landlord when I use a Housing Choice Voucher? Housing Catalyst or the property owner/manager?
The property owner/manager is your landlord. Please contact them for any issues with your home.
I found a rental before receiving my voucher. Can I get approved sooner?
No. Finding a rental home before receiving your voucher does not have any influence on when you receive your voucher or your position on the waiting list.
Do Housing Choice Vouchers expire?
No, rental assistance does not expire for households living in approved homes who continue to be eligible and are in good standing with Housing Catalyst.
Is there a charge to apply for housing assistance?
It is against HUD policy to charge for a Housing Choice Voucher application. However, homes made affordable through Project-based Rental Assistance (PBRA) are typically managed by private landlords, and application processes vary and PBRA landlords may charge an application fee.
Can a Housing Choice Voucher be transferred to another person?
No, Housing Choice Vouchers cannot be transferred between people.
Can Housing Choice Vouchers be transferred to another city or area?
Yes, we call that portability. Housing Choice Vouchers may be transferred to another Public Housing Authority's (PHA) service area if you have lived in your home for at least one year. However, the housing authority that covers the area you are moving to must be currently accepting vouchers. Please contact that agency for more information. More...
Do properties that accept HCVs have to meet any quality standards?
Homes leased with the assistance of Housing Choice Vouchers are required to meet U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Housing Quality Standards for health and safety. Housing Catalyst inspects properties before accepting them into the program.
What percentage of my income goes to rent when qualify for a Housing Choice Voucher?
Residents pay 30% of their income toward the rental. Housing Catalyst issues a payment to the property owner/manager for the difference between the resident's payment and the market-rate of the rental.
What is the Housing Choice Voucher program?
The Housing Choice Voucher program (formerly known as Section 8) helps cover the cost of rent for families with low incomes, people with disabilities, and seniors. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own rental home, including single-family homes, townhouses and apartments. The participant More...
Does Section 8 still exist?
Section 8 is a term that was previously used for the Housing Choice Voucher program and other federally funded rental assistance programs. The name came from Section 8 of the Housing and Community Development Act in 1974, which established rental assistance programs outside of public housing.
