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Housing Choice Vouchers

The housing choice voucher program is the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development vehicle to provide lower income families, the elderly and disabled with affordable housing in the private market. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses and apartments.

The participant is free to choose any housing that meets program requirements and is not limited to units located in subsidized housing projects.

NRHA receives federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer the voucher program.

A family that is issued a housing voucher is responsible for finding a suitable housing unit of the family's choice where the owner agrees to rent under the program. This unit may include the family's present residence. Rental units must meet minimum standards of health and safety, as determined by the NRHA.

A housing subsidy is paid to the landlord directly by NRHA on behalf of the participating family. The family then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program.

Eligibility Requirements:
Eligibility for a housing voucher is determined by NRHA 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, NRHA must provide 75 percent of its voucher to applicants whose incomes do not exceed 30% of the area median income. Median income levels are published by HUD and vary by location. NRHA can provide you with the income limits for Norfolk and family size.

During the application process, NRHA will collect information on family income, assets, and family composition. NRHA will verify this information with other local agencies, your employer and bank, and will use the information to determine program eligibility and housing assistance payment amount.

If NRHA determines that your family is eligible, your name will go on a waiting list, unless NRHA is able to assist you immediately. Once your name is reached on the waiting list, NRHA will contact you and issue a housing voucher.

 

Tenant's Obligations: When a family selects a housing unit, and NRHA approves the unit and lease, the family signs a lease with the landlord for at least one year. The tenant may be required to pay a security deposit to the landlord. After the first year the landlord may initiate a new lease or allow the family to remain in the unit on a month-to-month lease.
When the family is settled in a new home, the family is expected to comply with the lease and the program requirements, pay its share of rent on time, maintain the unit in good condition and notify NRHA of any changes in income or family composition.

Landlord's Obligations: The role of the landlord in the voucher program is to provide “decent, safe, and sanitary housing” to a tenant at a reasonable rent. The dwelling unit must pass the program's housing quality standards and be maintained up to those standards as long as the owner receives housing assistance payments. In addition, the landlord is expected to provide the services agreed to as part of the lease signed with the tenant and the contract signed with NRHA.

Housing Authority's Obligations: NRHA administers the voucher program locally. NRHA provides a family with the housing assistance that enables the family to seek out suitable housing and NRHA enters into a contract with the landlord to provide housing assistance payments on behalf of the family. If the landlord fails to meet the owner's obligations under the lease, NRHA has the right to terminate assistance payments. NRHA must reexamine the family's income and composition at least annually and must inspect each unit at least annually to ensure that it meets minimum housing quality standards. 

HUD's Role: To cover the cost of the program, HUD provides funds to allow NRHA to make housing assistance payments on behalf of the families. HUD also pays NRHA a fee for the costs of administering the program. When additional funds become available to assist new families, HUD invites NRHA to submit applications for funds for additional housing vouchers. Applications are then reviewed and funds awarded on a competitive basis. HUD monitors NRHA administration of the program to ensure program rules are properly followed. 

Transfers
If you are all ready in the Housing Choice Voucher Program and want to transfer to Norfolk, VA, please submit a Request to Transfer to your current housing authority. If the staff there determines that you are eligible for transfer, they will forward your portability package to NRHA. Once you know that they have sent your package to us, please contact us to schedule an appointment. Our goal is to make an appointment with you within 10 days of your contacting us.
 

When requesting a transfer to Norfolk, please provide your current housing authority with the following information:

Norfolk Redevelopment & Housing Authority
P.O. Box 968
Norfolk, VA 23501
Attn: Gail Austin
Phone: (757) 314-1638
Fax: (757) 314-1307
Email: gaustin@nrha.us

 

 

 

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