The Housing Choice Voucher Program provides rental assistance to help low income
person(s) afford decent and safe rental housing. HCV Programs are funded
by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and administered by
public housing agencies authorized under federal or state law to operate
housing programs within an area or jurisdiction. The Pickaway
Metropolitan Housing Authority (PMHA) is a housing agency that administers an
HCV Program throughout Pickaway County.
A person selected to participate in the HCV Program is issued a rental voucher
and is then free to locate a unit suitable to the family's needs and desires in
the private rental market. Once the family selects a unit and turns in a
Request for Tenancy Approval, PMHA must inspect the unit before the initial
leasing, and at least annually thereafter, to ensure that the unit meets HUD
housing quality standards (HQS). Once the unit passes an HQS inspection,
PMHA will enter into a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Contract with the Owner
who leases the unit to the family. Thereafter, PMHA pays a portion of
the rent - a housing assistance payment - to the owner on behalf of the family.
Under the rental voucher program, the family is generally required to pay
approximately 30% - 40% of their adjusted monthly income toward rent and
utilities. The Housing Assistance Payment made by PMHA to the Owner
generally pays the remaining amount of the approved contract rent.
1.
Reporting of Income
When you have any change in income (employment, SS or SSI, OWF, Child Support,
etc.), you must report this change to PMHA within 10 days. You will be
asked to sign paperwork so we may send for verification of your change.
2. Adding
Someone to your Lease
If you would like someone added to your lease, you must contact your caseworker
and request an add-on packet. You will be asked to provide various things
for the person you are adding, as well as permission in writing from the
landlord for the person to be added to your lease.
3. Moving
The initial lease with your landlord will be for a period of one year.
Renewal terms vary, with some landlords requiring tenants to sign another
12-month lease, and other landlords allowing renewal on a month-to-month
basis. Should you wish to move before the initial year's lease or the
subsequent renewal period has ended, you will have to get your landlord's
written permission before we can assist you at another location. When you
are considering a move to another unit, whether that unit is owned by the same
landlord or not, you must contact your caseworker and request the appropriate
paperwork. The caseworker will explain what will be expected from you
during this time.
4. Criminal and Drug Activity
Conviction for drugs or violent criminal activity is grounds for termination of
assistance.
5. Inspections
Every year around recertification time you will be sent a notice from the PMHA
informing you of when inspection of your unit is scheduled. Someone must
be available to let the inspector in the unit at that time. If you need
to reschedule an inspection, please contact our office as soon as possible.
6. Making
Unauthorized Side Payments to the Landlord
You are informed by the Housing Authority what portion of the rent you are to
pay; any additional monies requested from the Landlord would be considered side
payments, with the exception of a Security Deposit. If you pay the
Landlord additional money, you are in violation of your lease. You should
report to your caseworker if asked for additional monies so that you are not in
violation. (There are exceptions like a "pet rent" or rent for a detached
garage).
7. Eviction
While Participating in the HCV Program
Being court evicted from a unit while participating on our program is cause for
termination of your rental assistance Voucher.
8. Rent Changes
and Deductions
If you report and decrease in income by the 15th
day of the month, the change will take effect on the first of the following
month. If you report an increase in income, we will give you 30 full
days notice of the increase in your rent.
If you pay childcare, you could receive a deduction.
If you are disabled and begin working, you
may qualify for a disability exclusion for a period of 48
months.
9. Related
Opportunities
The Pickaway MHA HCV Program offers the opportunity for active participants to
choose to be a part of a Family Self Sufficiency Program (FSS), a program
designed to improve one's employability and create self sufficiency.
PMHA also offers homeownership related opportunities and collaboration.
Ask your caseworker for this and other information you may qualify for.
We are happy to answer your questions! Please click
here for contact information.
