Housing Choice Voucher

All persons interested in receiving a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher must complete an application. Applications are completed online at the DHA Applicant Portal.  Applicants must provide Social Security cards for all persons in the household (if they have one), and picture I.D. for all adult family members. Applicants must meet income limits set by HUD and other eligibility criteria, including criminal history check.

Once an application has been reviewed to determine initial eligibility, the applicant is placed on the Waiting List. The Waiting List is updated at least once a year. You are responsible for keeping us informed via the Applicant Portal or in writing of any changes in your household, income, and new addresses.

Once an applicant reaches the top of the Waiting List and there is available funding and a voucher, the applicant will be required to come in to complete final eligibility paperwork.

Detailed information will be required to determine if the applicant qualifies for assistance. The applicant will be scheduled for a Briefing Session at a later date to receive a Voucher.

All new applicants are required to attend a Briefing Session in order to receive a Voucher. Briefing Sessions are held in group sessions, and the family will receive more detailed information on how the program works. The family will receive information on payment standards, tenant paid utilities, reporting income or family composition changes, fair housing, tenant inspections, landlord information, grievance procedures, vacancy listing, moving and termination procedures, and other information required by HUD. The family will be issued a Voucher based on their family composition, and then can begin the search for an appropriate unit.

The family will also receive the necessary paperwork to take to a potential landlord to lease a unit.

All applicant families must attend a Briefing Session in order to receive a Voucher. The Voucher is issued with the bedroom size and expiration date. The Voucher provides additional information about the family and housing authority responsibilities for the program. The Voucher is the family’s contract with the housing authority.

DHA inspects all units before they are allowed on the program. Once the family has located a unit of their choice, DHA will inspect the unit for compliance with Housing Quality Standards (HQS) and determines if the landlord’s proposed rent is reasonable. All units must meet these requirements before the family can move in and before DHA will pay rent to the landlord.

DHA also inspects all units annually while a family is on the program and conducts special or complaint inspections as needed. Complaints may come from the tenant, landlord, or the public.

Landlords must complete and sign the Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) and other documents they receive from the family. The family will return these documents to DHA for approval. DHA will conduct the inspection within 15 days of the date that the unit is ready for inspection. After the unit passes HQS inspection, the landlord will sign a Housing Assistance Contract (HAP) with DHA and a lease with the family.

Landlords should review the Landlord Handbook for more information about the program. Landlords may list their available units with DHA on the Vacancy List. DHA does not steer families to any particular unit or landlord. DHA will maintain a list in our office that is updated periodically.

Once all income and other information have been verified and the unit passes HQS, the Case Specialist will calculate the family’s portion of the rent and notify the family and the landlord.

The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing because of race or color, national origin, religion, gender, disability, or familial status. If a family thinks their rights have been violated, they may contact HUD at 817-978-5900 or 1-888-560-8913. DHA will assist a family with filing a complaint if requested.

The programs administered by DHA are governed by a set of rules and regulations set forth by HUD in response to legislation by the Congress of the United States. In addition there are local policies which are the result of resolutions enacted by the Board of Commissioners of the Housing Authority.

Clients of DHA are expected to adhere to these rules and to follow procedures set forth in the Plan of Administration approved by the Board of Commissioners. Clients are given a variety of documents and are briefed verbally regarding the rules and regulations of the program so they can be familiar with the program requirements. If a problem arises with regard to the understanding and implementation of the program rules, clients are afforded the right to several avenues which might lead to better understanding and/or to a solution to the problem. These avenues are addressed in more detail in the Grievance Procedures. If a client has a problem with a decision made by DHA, they may request a counseling session, informal hearing, or formal hearing.