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The Section 8 Tenant-Based Housing Assistance Program, specifically, the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV) provides rental assistance to families and individuals who meet the income and family composition eligibility requirements for the program, and who lease a dwelling unit in the private rental marketplace. Many low-income families in our community rely on owners like you who are willing to participate in the City’s housing assistance programs.
The rules and regulations for the program are determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and, the program administrative policies and procedures are established by Albuquerque Housing Services (AHS) through the public housing agency’s Rental Housing Assistance Program Administrative Plan.
AHS receives federal funds for the HCV program directly from HUD for approximately 3,900 housing vouchers under an Annual Contributions Contract (ACC). It is important to note, that the success of the program depends on local participation of owners of rental housing and their willingness to participate in the program. The rental housing assistance needs in our community, for the most part, are greater than the funding available to assist low-income families. As a result, many families are forced to live in substandard housing and overcrowded conditions, or they simply just become homeless.
Families and individuals qualify for housing assistance based on family income and composition. Once a family reaches the top of the AHS waiting list, the family is issued a Housing Choice Voucher, which in turn makes them eligible to receive a monthly rent subsidy to assist with monthly rent expenses.The family is required to pay a portion of the rent directly to the landlord each month.AHS will then issue a payment directly to the owner for the difference between the tenant’s portion of rent and the monthly rent.
What you can expect from AHS: AHS screens applicants for program eligibility based on income and family composition and criminal background checks as required by federal program regulations.We instruct the tenant of their obligations under the program including their obligations with AHS and their responsibilities to comply with the lease, and the consequences if they fail to comply with their program and lease obligations.
AHS portion of rent will be mailed to the owner on the last day of the month, unless the initial inspection is conducted in the middle of the month.In this case the owner can expect payment within two weeks from the date of the initial Inspection, if the unit passed inspection.AHS is not responsible for collection of the tenant’s portion of the rent or management of the rental property.This is strictly the Owner’s responsibility.
AHS also provides a Vacancy Rental Listing Service for owners who wish to make their rental units available to Housing Choice Voucher holders.If you would like to place your vacant rental unit on this list, please call (505) 764-3900.The list is updated weekly and copies are available in our office for those AHS clients seeking affordable housing.Your listed property will remain on the list for up to thirty-days.Please call the above number to re-list or cancel the listing when the property has been leased.
Who to contact at Albuquerque Housing Services: AHS Tenant Services Specialists are responsible for all new HAP contracts, including initial, annual and special inspections, and any rent increases requested by an owner.Tenant Services Specialist’s are also responsible for initial and continued eligibility determination of AHS program participants, any interim changes due to changes in family income or composition that may occur during the term of a lease and HAP contract, including the maintenance of family moves and terminations.
If you have any questions about the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, please call our offices at (505) 764-3900 during normal business hours Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.Our staff will be happy to answer your questions.
Again, we appreciate your interest in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.
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