Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)

The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program (Section 8) is a federally funded program that helps families pay their rent. This assistance is in a form of a voucher provided to low income families, seniors, and persons with disabilities for rental units chosen by the tenant in the private market. Many landlords accept the Housing Choice Voucher program. The family would be able to choose from manufactured homes, apartments, duplexes, and single-family homes. Once the family finds a suitable unit, a physical inspection needs to be conducted to ensure that it meets all program requirements. The housing authority executes a contract with the landlord to pay rent on the family’s behalf. The program’s primary purpose is to provide rental assistance to families of very-low to moderate income for affordable, decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private rental market.

Housing choice vouchers are administered locally by public housing agencies (PHAs). The PHAs receive federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer the voucher program.

Who is Eligible?

Eligibility for a housing voucher is determined by the PHA based on the total annual gross income and family size and is limited to US citizens and specified categories of non-citizens who have eligible immigration status. In general, the family’s income may not exceed 50% of the median income for the county or metropolitan area in which the family chooses to live. By law, the PHA must provide 75 percent of its voucher to applicants whose incomes do not exceed 30 percent of the area median income. Median income levels are published by HUD and vary by location.

In addition to household income, the PHA reviews the criminal background, if any, for all household members age 18 and older.

How Do I Apply?

Openings on the waiting list for the Housing Choice Voucher Program will be announced through public notice. The public notice will be published in the local newspaper and posted on the website. It will state where, when, and how to apply.

If your name is already on the Section 8 waiting list, you do not need to take any action. The PHA will maintain your name, date and time you applied. You are still required to update your personal information by submitting changes in writing.  The application is valid for up to six (6) months unless updated and renewed by the applicant.  All applicants have the right to accept or decline housing assistance offer. Applicants who decline our offer will be withdrawn from the waiting list.

Hours

Monday through Friday:
8am to 5pm

Contact

Phone: (956) 399-7501
Fax: (956) 399-5413

Location

1400 N. Reagan Street,
San Benito, Tx 78586
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