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Housing Choice Voucher Program (Formerly Known as Section 8) The Housing Choice Voucher Program waiting list is now closed indefinitely, and is not accepting applications at the present time. The Prince William County Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD) administers the Federal "Housing Choice Voucher" rental subsidy program (formerly known as Section 8 Program) under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Participants in the Housing Choice Voucher Program receive assistance to rent privately-owned housing units that are located in apartment complexes, condominiums, townhouses or single-family homes. Priority is given to serving households with incomes at or below 30 percent of the median income for the Washington, DC Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). OHCD currently administers more than 1,900 Housing Choice Vouchers. With the waiting list open every fourth Thursday of the month, there are 2,000+ households on the Housing Choice Voucher Program waiting list. Please note that the Housing Choice Voucher Program waiting list is now closed indefinitely, and is not accepting applications at the present time. For more detailed information on the Housing Choice Voucher Program, visit HUD's Web site at www.hud.gov. Criteria Used to Select Applicants
OHCD screens applicants for eligibility using HUD's guidelines. Households are prioritized by date and time of application to the waiting list. When an applicant's name comes to the top of the list, the head of household is screened for eligibility. Applicants must also qualify by income, based on household size. Approved applicants are briefed and given a Housing Choice Voucher, which entitles them to look for housing in the private market. Below are maximum income limits, however 75 percent of new admissions must be at or below the extremely low-income limits. Before a unit can be leased under the Housing Choice Voucher Program, OHCD staff checks to ensure that rents charged are reasonable for the area in which the unit is located, and that the unit meets basic Housing Quality Standards (HQS). Participants must find a landlord/owner willing to rent to a household receiving Voucher assistance. Selection criteria used by private landlords vary. Each landlord uses his/her own criteria, and is encouraged to verify income information and perform a thorough check of credit, past rental references and police records. OHCD currently performs local criminal record checks to determine whether applicants have a prior criminal history in the County. Features of the Housing Choice Voucher Program Tenants can pay between 30-40 percent of their adjusted income to rent a unit. Landlords can charge whatever security deposit they charge private market tenants, up to two months contract rent.
Following the initial lease, landlords can request a rent increase by giving the housing agency and tenant at least 60 days prior written notice. The rent requested must be reasonable according to similar properties in the same complex or subdivision.
Click on the links below to view documents about the Rental Assistance Programs offered by the Office of Housing and Community Development:
Other Links:
Family Self-Sufficiency
What is Family Self-Sufficiency? How do Families Benefit from FSS?
The Family Self-Sufficiency Program gives families that have been struggling the opportunity to become economically independent. FSS is an innovative program designed to improve the quality of life of families caught in the cycle of poverty. Families that participate in the FSS program gain skills that last a lifetime. This program addresses the long-term needs of individuals living in poverty. Families have access to the supportive services they need to become self-sufficient, including:
Welfare to Work Program
What is the Welfare to Work Program?
Federal and state welfare reform efforts have recently created a second program, the Welfare-to-Work (WtW) Program. This program has a four-year contractual period for families with the desire to become welfare-free. The federal government has issued 450 new Housing Choice Vouchers to Prince William County to be used exclusively for families currently on public assistance.
How do I Qualify?
OHCD recognizes the needs of our community's working poor. A good number of these families currently receive assistance, or have had a need in the past two years for assistance from the PWC Department of Social Services. Some of this aid comes in the form of medical assistance, day care, food stamps, and/or TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families).
How do Families Benefit from the WtW Program?
Many of these families are struggling day-to-day to provide for their families. These families benefit greatly when they receive rental assistance. By alleviating some of the financial burden of the families, these families improve in areas that will enable them to become welfare free. What are the Responsibilities of the WtW Participants?
The WtW Program requires families to observe a few basic rules. The family must work a certain number of hours per week, (depending on the family size) or family members must pursue education, or increase educational standings. The families are aware that there is no tolerance for non-compliance with the contract. If a family chooses to leave his or her employment because the government subsidizes its housing, it will not get a reduction in the rental portion. The family will be required to find other employment and stay employed. Families in the WtW Program are also aware that they need to adhere to all of the rules and regulations set forth by the Housing Choice Voucher. Every year, the family will be re-evaluated to ensure that it is abiding by the rules set forth for the program. If a family chooses not to abide by the rules, it will lose assistance. For more information, call 703-792-7530.
Office of Housing and Community Development 15941 Donald Curtis Drive, Suite 112
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