Landlords

The Housing Choice Voucher program, commonly referred to as Section 8, is the largest U.S. housing subsidy program funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Section 8 program is administered by local housing agencies that have annual contracts with HUD to operate the program. The primary purpose of Section 8 is to provide rental assistance to low-income families for affordable decent, safe, and sanitary housing. Recipients of this assistance receive a voucher and use it to rent homes in the private market.

Landlords participating in the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program operate in the same way as a landlord in the private rental market. The owner must sign a lease (can be month to month) with the Section 8 recipient. A principle benefit to the landlord for participating in the programs is that the federal government guarantees a portion of the rent.

Links to required documents and useful information:

• Owner's Guide to Section 8 Rental Assistance
(PDF): Rules, regulation, policy and helpful hints for owners regarding the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program.
• Request for Tenancy Approval (RTA) (PDF)
• Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification (PDF)
• Payment Standards 2005/2006: Payment standards determine the eligibility of rental housing units for the Section 8 Housing Assistance program. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) sets the fair market rents annually.
• Utility Allowances (PDF)
• Housing Quality Standards Inspection Checklist (PDF)
• Housing Assistance Payments Contract (PDF) : The HAP Contract is used to provide Section 8 Rental Assistance under the Housing Choice Voucher program.
• Tenancy Addendum Instructions (PDF)