Section 8: Housing Program Overview

The Housing Choice Voucher Program is a combined effort by the Department of HUD and Greene Metropolitan Housing Authority (GMHA). Federal funds are used to help low and moderate income families pay their rent. To receive housing assistance, a family must be selected from a waiting list by GMHA according to income, need and other criteria. Assistance is based on the availability of funding.

Families certified as eligible for assistance are given a Voucher to locate their own housing, usually in the Greene County area. In certain instances, the assistance may be transferred throughout the United States with a voucher. The landlord must agree to lease to the client and is responsible for screening prospective clients.

Rent is calculated at between 10 and 30 percent of the client's income including utilities. GMHA pays the difference directly to the landlord. Clients may pay up to 40 percent of their income in order to secure a unit of their choosing as long as their income qualifies and the rent meets the rent reasonableness test.

The Housing Choice Voucher Program helps both the prospective tenant and the landlord. Assisted families find housing to suit their income and landlords increase their occupancy rate. The program allows families to have a greater choice in the selection of where they want to live.

GMHA reviews applications of families to determine eligibility for assistance and also inspects and approves the properties to be rented. The size of the family along with the family income is used to determine the bedroom size of the unit and the rental rate.

Section 8 Income Limits

Payment Standard (includes all utilities; electric, gas, water, sewer and trash collection)

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