Property Manager Hub

Thanks for your interest in the Housing Choice Voucher program!

This program is supported by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD, and managed by local housing agencies. Over 2 million property managers and families participate nationwide, doing their part to keep housing affordable for all in their communities.

How It Works:

HUD provides federal housing dollars to Housing Catalyst to provide rental assistance for voucher holders. Families select a rental from participating property managers like you. They pay a calculated portion of their rent; Housing Catalyst pays the remaining balance.

As a property manager you set the rent, provide a lease, and interact with renters as you normally would. In addition, you get guaranteed payments from Housing Catalyst every month, residents who are motivated to be good renters, and an experienced housing partner throughout the process. You also play a vital role in addressing our community’s affordable housing crisis.

The Housing Choice Voucher program is a three-way partnership between Housing Catalyst, your renter, and you. Each partner has an important role to play in providing affordable homes in Larimer County. This video will cover each partner’s roles and responsibilities. Housing Catalyst coordinators are available to answer any questions you have now and at any step along the way.

Your role is the same as with any other renter. Conduct your regular screening process, follow fair housing laws, manage the property, make repairs, ensure residents follow the terms of your lease, and collect the renter’s portion of rent due. You will also partner with Housing Catalyst to participate in and receive payments from the Housing Choice Voucher program.

Your renter’s role is to work with Housing Catalyst to secure a voucher, find a rental that meets their needs, take good care of it, abide by your lease, and pay their portion of the rent directly to you.

Housing Catalyst’s role is to determine your renter’s eligibility. Then we issue their voucher, explain the program, approve the home selection, and pay our portion of the rent directly to you.

Our Contract:

To participate in the Housing Choice Voucher program, you’ll enter into a Housing Assistance Payment, or HAP, contract with Housing Catalyst. The contract outlines your rights and responsibilities. The HUD tenancy addendum form details requirements that are included in standard leases.

Questions? Once you are part of the voucher program you will have a dedicated Housing Catalyst coordinator. If you have questions at any point, your coordinator can help. We’ll answer a few of the most frequently asked questions here.

“How do I know rent will be paid?”

The portion Housing Catalyst pays is federally guaranteed and we pay you directly. Pretty simple. You’ll collect your renter’s portion the same way you would from any resident. The voucher program is designed to make rent affordable for residents. Voucher holders are motivated to abide by their lease to keep their voucher and stay in their home.

“Can I raise rent?”

Yes. After the first 12 months you may raise the rent. Simply submit a rent increase request and any other lease changes to your Housing Catalyst coordinator for approval.

“Will a voucher holder be a good renter?”

You’ll screen voucher holders for suitability as you would any other renter. Housing Catalyst will screen for income eligibility and calculate a rent percentage that’s affordable for your resident. An average voucher holder rents for multiple years. As with all rental agreements, there are risks involved.

“What if there’s a dispute?”

The City of Fort Collins offers mediation services at no cost to city residents should you need it.

“What about damage?”

You may collect a security deposit as you would for any renter. Additionally, Housing Catalyst will inspect your property to ensure it meets health and safety standards prior to move-in and during biennial inspections thereafter.

Your coordinator and everyone at Housing Catalyst are dedicated to the success of the Housing Choice Voucher program. We value you and your part in this program. You play a critical role in helping us provide housing that is affordable to everyone in Larimer County. Contact a Housing Catalyst coordinator to join today.