In today’s strange profitable times it has turned more essential to find a way to pay for housing cost with incomes that have been cut either by job loss or pay reductions. The United States began offering federal housing assistance during the Great Depression. Although there are several different programs available, Section 8 housing is one of the most common.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development offers two different types of voucher programs available in the Housing Choice Voucher Program. The first assists people with low incomes pay their rent by subsidizing it. The second does the same thing but is established through the Veterans Administration for military veterans.
Section 8 is actually a voucher system that is established to either be project or tenant based. Although there is a difference in the type of vouchers that are received there is not a difference in the way that a person would practice for the program. The public housing agencies may set aside 20% of their vouchers to be used as project based vouchers.
Project based refers to the vouchers being utilized in particular public housing agencies. So whatever voucher of this type that an individual gets would only be able to be used at a particular apartment complex. Tenant based vouchers mean that the voucher can be utilised by the tenant at any apartment complex that accepts section 8 vouchers. When working under the tenant voucher system the individual or family would lease a unit and pay a portion of the rent, usually a percentage of the applicant’s income, and the section 8 voucher would pay for the rest.
Applicants for the program will submit a form at the Housing Authority office. Not all cities are allowing for new section 8 applicants so verify that they are prior to submitting a form. Once an individual presents their application for section 8 housing it may take a couple of months or some years for them to receive a spot in the program. This is dependent on the amount of space useable in the program in the applicant’s city.
There are several benefits to landlords for taking section 8 applicants. Some of the benefits include knowing that a portion of the rent will always be paid on time by the housing authority, back rent available in the instance of an eviction taking place, partial business license fee for the complex, annual reviews by the housing authority to learn that the renter is maintaining the property in a suited manner.
As with anyone starting to lease an apartment there are some valuable tips to also take into consideration. It is always important to read the contract prior to signing. Although the public housing agencies will be paying a percentage of the bill it is vital to have an understanding of what is required and covered at the new apartment. Consider getting renters insurance to protect the assets that are going into the new house. It is critical to make sure that the apartment and area that is being moved into is safe. Being a cheap place to live is a great thing but safety is essential to a person and their family.
With the amount of economic stress many people are presented with in today’s world more people are questioning about section 8 housing. It is something that was set up by the United States some years ago and assists out a plenty of people today. It is a program that has gains for both the renter and landlord that is involved in the rental.