The Housing Authority of the County of Dauphin operates a Section 8 Low-Income Rental Assistance Program, which is intended to help families afford safe, decent and sanitary rental housing from private landlords. Eligible families are given a Voucher, which can be used to rent a house or an apartment from a participating landlord. Under the Voucher Program, the tenant will pay at least 30% and no more than 40% of their adjusted gross monthly income in rent at initial lease-up. The Authority pays the remainder of the negotiated rent directly to the Landlord under a Housing Assistance Payments Contract.
HOW DO I APPLY?
Families who wish to apply for any of the HA’s programs must complete a written application. The application process involves two phases. The first is the "initial" application for assistance, which results in the family’s placement on the waiting list. The second phase is the "final determination of eligibility", which takes place when the family reaches the top of the waiting list. At which time the HA verifies all HUD and HA eligibility factors. If the family is verified as eligible, a voucher is issued and the family will have 60 days to locate housing. When the Authority is taking applications for the Section 8 Program, it will be announced in the newspapers and through other kinds of public notification. Normally, when the Section 8 Applications are being accepted, anyone may pick up an application at the Administrative Offices of the Housing Authority.
HOW DO I QUALIFY FOR SECTION 8 ASSISTANCE?
To be eligible for participation, an applicant must meet HUD’s criteria, as well as any other criteria established by the Housing Authority. Some of the most important eligibility criteria are:
The applicant must qualify as a family. A family may be a single person or a group of persons. Discrimination on the basis of familial status is prohibited, and a group of persons may not be denied solely on the basis that they are not related by blood, marriage or operation of law.
To determine if the family is income-eligible, the Housing Authority compares the Annual Income of the family to the applicable income limit for the family’s size. Families whose Annual Income exceeds the income limit will be denied admission offered an informal review.
Finally, a mandatory credit report and criminal background check are completed for each adult residing in the household. Reports of drug related offences and violent criminal activity can exclude an individual or a family from the Section 8 Program. The results of these reports are taken into consideration when the Authority determines eligibility.
IF I GET ASSISTANCE, HOW MUCH WILL IT BE?
Generally, if you qualify for assistance, the Authority will calculate your income from all sources, and arrive at an annual gross income. From that figure are subtracted allowances and deductions for which you may be entitled, such as a deduction for each child in the household. In the Voucher Program the maximum amount that the Authority will pay to the landlord is equal to the Payment Standard minus 30% of the tenant's Adjusted Monthly Income. The Payment Standard is established by the Authority within limits set by HUD. If the rent requested by the landlord exceeds the Payment Standard, the tenant must pay the difference.
WHERE CAN I USE MY VOUCHER?
When a voucher is issued, the applicant will have 60 days to locate housing which meets HUD standards in regard to rent level and condition of the unit. Basically, an applicant can live anywhere he or she chooses (within Dauphin County, outside the City of Harrisburg), in any neighborhood, school district, and in any town, township or municipality which best meets the applicant needs for employment, transportation, childcare, etc.
WHAT ARE MY OBLIGATIONS TO THE AUTHORITY AND TO THE LANDLORD IF I GET SECTION 8 RENTAL ASSISTANCE?
A. FAMILY OBLIGATIONS TO THE OWNER
The family obligations to the owner are contained in the lease, and include reasonable requirements, such as not damaging the unit, paying your rent on time and in full, keeping all utilities for which the family is responsible in service, being respectful of neighbors and not interfering with their right to live in a safe and peaceful environment.
B. FAMILY OBLIGATIONS TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY
Some of the most important obligations the family has to the Housing Authority are that the family must provide all required information in a timely manner; the family may not commit any serious or repeated violation of the lease; and family members may not commit fraud, bribery, engage in drug related activities, or violent criminal behavior. |
