The Housing Choice Voucher Program (formerly Section 8) provides tenant-based assistance, in the form of a voucher, to low-income families, seniors and persons with disabilities for rental units chosen by the tenant in the private market. The Housing Authority provides payments directly to participating property owners to offset the cost difference between tenant payments and unit rent. Program applicants choose from a variety of housing options, ranging from apartments, duplexes, single-family homes to townhomes. Tenants can find available units by visiting GoSection8 and MyApartmentMap. If you are a Housing Choice Voucher holder and have the desire to own a home of your own, the Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Program may be right for you.
The Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Program is a federally funded program that allows families with a Housing Choice Voucher to use it to purchase a home, rather than rent.
The Homeownership Program is for first-time homebuyers, a person who does not own a home or has not owned a home during the past 3 years.
In order to qualify for participation you must be:
1. Be a voucher holder and a participant in the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program, unless you already meet all the minimum requirements. In that case, the FSS Coordinator will only conduct an initial referral screening.
2. Have at least one (1) year of continuous full-time employment.
3. Have at least $14,500 in annual earned income-wages and/or self-employment income annually.
For participants who are elderly and/or have disabilities ONLY, welfare assistance and Social Security disability income may be counted towards the minimum.
4. Be in good standing with your current landlord and in full compliance with all voucher program requirements.
A verification letter will be mailed to current landlord for him/her to complete and return.
Participants in the Housing Choice Homeownership Program are required to make a minimum down payment of 3%. At least 1% of the down payment must come from personal savings. The balance of the down payment may be advanced from the FSS Escrow Account, or may come from gifts or other sources.
All HCV Homeownership Participants must be referred to the program from an FSS Coordinator. For more information, please contact an FSS Coordinator.
FSS Coordinator Assigned by Last Name