NOTE: Please do not pay anyone for a Housing Choice Voucher or Public Housing Application. There is NEVER a fee to apply.
THE GOAL AND PURPOSE OF THE
HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM
The primary purpose of the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program is to offer expanded rental assistance opportunities (other than those available in the public housing program) to low–income families by utilizing the existing housing stock in the community. The HCV Program offers greater mobility to its participants in that they have the opportunity to search for suitable housing throughout the area in which CHA operates.
HCV PROGAM RESPONSIBILITIES
The Housing Agency – (CHA)
- Review all family applications to determine eligibility
- Explain all the rules of the HCV Program to those participants who qualify
- Issue a Housing Choice Voucher and assist the family in finding suitable housing
- Approve the rental unit, the landlord, and the lease
- Make housing assistance payments (HAP) to the landlord
- Ensure that both the family and the unit continue to qualify
- Ensure that landlords and families comply with the HCV rules
THE LANDLORD
- Screen families who apply for a unit in order to determine their suitability as renters
- Comply with fair housing laws and not discriminate against the family
- Maintain the housing unit by making necessary repairs in a timely manner and reporting their completion to CHA
- Comply with the terms of the HAP Contract
- Collect the rent due by the tenant and otherwise comply with and enforce the lease
THE TENANT
- Provide CHA with complete and accurate information
- Make their best effort to find a place to live that is suitable for them and which qualifies for the HCV Program
- Cooperate in attending all scheduled appointments
- Take responsibility for the care of their housing unit
- Comply with the terms of their lease
- Comply with the Family Obligations of the HCV Program
In conjunction with the Housing Choice Voucher Program, there are other programs within the HCV Program that are available to eligible participants. They are:
- The Family Self Sufficiency Program (FSS)
- The Home Ownership Program
- The Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (VASH)
ACRONYMS
| CHA | – | The Housing Authority of the City of Charleston |
| FSS | – | Family Self Sufficiency |
| HAP | – | Housing Assistance Payment |
| HQS | – | Housing Quality Standards |
| HUD | – | Department of Housing and Urban Development |
| RFTA | – | Request for Tenancy Approval |
| VASH | – | Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing |
