HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM 1. * AGENDA * Introduction and Summary of Programs General overview of the HCV Program Roles and responsibilities.

HOUSING CHOICE

VOUCHER PROGRAM1

* AGENDA *

Introduction and Summary of Programs

General overview of the HCV Program

Roles and responsibilities

Steps to participate in the program 2

Summary of Rental Assistance Programs

The Assisted Housing Department provides rental assistance to approximately 5,900 families and 15,000 individuals each month through various rental assistance programs.

All rental assistance programs operate similar to the Housing Choice Voucher Program and are outlined in the following chart.

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Program # units Partner

Housing Choice Vouchers 5,402

Veteran’s Affairs Supportive Housing Vouchers

405 Veteran’s Administration

Total Vouchers 5,807

Shelter Plus Care Grants 63 Austin Travis County Integral Care

Tenant Based Rental Assistance 65 City of Austin and Salvation Army

Total 5,935

Overview of the Housing Choice

Voucher Program

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The Housing Choice

Voucher Program

Designed to maintain regular owner/tenant relationships while promoting affordable rental housing in the City of Austin

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The Housing Choice Voucher Program is a federally funded program.

The program provides a rent subsidy for eligible families to make rent affordable.

Families select a unit of their choice in the private rental market.

Families pay between 30% & 40% of their income towards rent. The Housing Authority pays the balance directly to the property owner.

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The Housing Choice Voucher Program

HCV Program’sRoles &

Responsibilities1. The Owner

2. The Housing Authority

3. The Family7

The Owner

Screen and interview families who apply

Maintain the property by making repairs in a timely manner

Collect application fees, security deposits and the tenant’s monthly rent portion

Manage the property and enforce the lease

Comply with the terms of the Housing Assistance Payment Contract 8

The Owner

Comply with fair housing laws and equal opportunity requirements

Notify the Housing Authority if a tenant vacates the property

Notify the Housing Authority of an owner change

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The Housing Authority

Determine eligibility of program applicants

Develop and enforce local HCV policy

Educate owners and tenants on program requirements

Issue vouchers to families

Inspect the properties for compliance with housing quality standards

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Send housing assistance payments to the owner

Conduct annual re-exams of the family’s income and composition and adjust rent portions if necessary

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The Housing Authority

The Family Provide the Housing Authority with

complete and accurate information

Report changes in income or family composition

Locate a suitable unit and pay security deposits and application fees

Attend scheduled appointments and return documents on time

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The Family Maintain the property and repair any

damages beyond normal wear and tear

Comply with the terms of the lease

Pay their portion of rent on time to the owner

Comply with all family obligations under the Housing Choice Voucher Program

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Steps to participate in the Housing

Choice Voucher Program

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List a property - GoSection8.com and the partner portal are available free of charge

Screen and select a tenant based on your

screening criteria

Collect application fees and security deposit

Submit a completed Request for Tenancy approval form which will be provided by the tenant

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STEPS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE VOUCHER PROGRAM

STEPS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE VOUCHER PROGRAM

An inspector will contact you in approximately 24 hours after receiving the Request for Tenancy Approval to set a date and time for an initial inspection

The requested rent must be reasonable

compared to similar unassisted units.

The unit needs to pass a housing quality

standards inspections (HQS). A notice with any items needing repairs will be provided.

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STEPS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE VOUCHER PROGRAM

After the property passes a HQS inspection, a notice will be sent to the owner and tenant indicating the approved contract rent and rent portions

The owner signs a Housing Assistance Payment Contract (HAP) and provides a copy of the signed lease

The HAP contract and lease may be emailed. 17

The effective date of the first payment starts the day the unit passes inspection and the tenant moves into the unit.

The first payment will be deposited electronically into your bank account within 15-30 days.

Payments thereafter will be electronically deposited the first of the month.

Receiving the Housing Assistance Payment

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Annually, the family’s income and composition will be reviewed and the unit will be inspected for compliance with housing quality standards.

Families are held accountable for any damages they cause beyond normal wear and tear.

Repairs must be completed within 30 days or 24 hours for life threatening deficiencies. 19

Additional Information

Partner Portal is available 24/7. The site provides owners with access to Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) details, inspection results, and the status of the tenant’s re-examination.

Partner Portal also contains quick links to various forms, publications, and program announcements.

PARTNER PORTAL PROVIDES EASY ACCESS TO INFORMATION

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Forms

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1. Request for Tenancy Approval

2. W-9

3. Tax Identification

4. Direct Deposit form

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1

23

2

24

3

25

4

26

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Number of bedrooms Eff. 1 2 3 4 5

L/L pays all utilities

$715

$876

$1,102

$1,492

$1,809

$2,081

Effective 2/1/2015

Payment Standards

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Contact Information

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Housing Authority of the City of Austin

1124 South IH-35

Austin, TX 78704

Lisa Garcia, Vice President of Assisted Housing

[email protected] 512-767-7675

hacanet.org

The Housing Authority of the City of Austin appreciates your

support in providing rental units to the over 5,800 Austin families

in need of quality affordable rental housing.

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THANK YOU for your interest in the HCV Program!

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