The HCV program was designed to expand housing choices for low-income families by allowing them to search for rental housing in the private market. Once a low-income family is invited to participate in the program, the ACOH issues that family a housing voucher. The voucher identifies the size of unit the family qualifies for, as well as the maximum amount of monthly rent the family can afford to pay. Using the voucher information as a guideline, the voucher holder then searches for a rental unit that best matches their family’s needs. After they find a unit and secure a lease, the family is responsible for paying part of the rent, and the rest of the rent is paid directly to the landlord by the ACOH.

Renting your unit through the HCV Program is similar to renting in the private market with a few extra steps. A general outline of the process is:

1. Advertise your rental unit as you normally would (but don’t forget about our free listing service!). You then select a tenant who is qualified to rent from you. You may do any screening or background checks that you normally conduct, such as those relating to credit scores or rental histories. You and your potential tenant will complete a Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) form and a few other documents. The HCV Program participant will provide you with these forms that are to be completed by both you and the program participant.
2. The ACOH will inspect the property. After the tenant returns the completed RFTA to the HACP, a representative will contact you within a few days to schedule the inspection. Inspection usually takes place within two weeks. If repairs are needed, time is given to complete them.
3. Lease/contract documents will be executed. Once the ACOH approves the unit for program, you will submit a fully executed lease to the ACOH. Generally, the initial lease term will be for one year. You will enter into a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Contract with the ACOH. The HAP Contract formalizes the agreement that the ACOH will make monthly rental payments directly to you on behalf of the HCV tenant.
4. Payment will be made by the HACP, directly to you within the first 10 days of the month. Payments begin as soon as all documents are signed.

In general, HCV families may choose any available rental until on the market including single-family homes, townhouses, apartments and mobiles homes (if permanently tied down to the lot). Program participants may NOT use their housing voucher assistance for:

• Public housing units;
• A unit receiving Section 8 project-based assistance;
• Nursing homes;
• Board or care homes;
• Permanent care facilities;
• College/school dormitories; or
• Units on the grounds of penal, reformatory, medical, mental or other similar public/private institutions.

In addition, HCV program participants MAY NOT use their voucher to rent a unit that is occupied by the property owner or a unit that is owned by a relative.

Landlords may set the rent they wish to receive for leasing their unit at their own discretion; however, the amount the ACOH can pay cannot exceed the County’s payment standards or the amount determined to meet a rent reasonableness. A family may be able to rent a unit over the payment standard if it meets an affordability standard, but may never rent a unit where the rent does not meet the rent reasonableness standard.

A reasonable rent is defined as one that does not exceed the rent charge for comparable, unassisted units the same market area. To help you set a reasonable rent for your rental property, please refer to the Voucher Payment Standard chart below. The Voucher Payment Standard, or VPS, is the maximum monthly housing assistance payment for the family each month (before deducting the total amount the family will be responsible for paying).

As a participating landlord in the Housing Choice Voucher Program, you still screen and select the household you will rent your unit to as you would with a non-assisted tenant.

Landlords are also responsible for:

• Collecting a portion of your rent from the tenant under your signed lease
• Performing all management and renting functions of your unit
• Performing all necessary landlord maintenance to keep the unit in compliance with HUD Housing Quality Standards
• Complying with the Housing Assistance Payment Contract and the HUD Tenancy Addendum executed with the FCRHA
• If you desire, you may hire a property management agent to represent you
• If you choose to supply the utilities to the unit, you will be responsible for the payment of these utilities

Tenants are responsible for:

• Providing the ACOH with all information needed to certify program eligibility (re-certifications may be performed bi-annually)
• Finding suitable housing and negotiating the asking rent according to their allowed assistance
• Paying their portion of the rent directly to the landlord 
• Repairing any damage they cause to the unit that is beyond normal wear and tear
• Allowing the ACOH to conduct regularly scheduled inspections of the unit
• Abiding by the tenant-landlord lease and all added riders and clauses
• Abide by the obligations of the Housing Choice Voucher program and the HUD Tenancy Addendum

The ACOH is responsible for:

• Determining tenant eligibility to participate in the Housing Choice Voucher program (including performing all tenant certifications and recertifications)
• Determining the amount of assistance to be provided for each program participant
• Making the required subsidized payment to the landlord on behalf of the tenant
• Conducting Housing Quality Standard Inspections as required by HUD
• Monitoring the implementation of the program to ensure compliance with all regulations