What are mainstream program vouchers?
Mainstream program vouchers enable families having a person with
disabilities to lease affordable private housing of their choice.
Mainstream program vouchers also assist persons with disabilities
who often face difficulties in locating suitable and accessible
housing on the private market.
What organizations are eligible to apply for
mainstream program vouchers funding from HUD?
Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) authorized under state law to develop
or operate housing assistance programs may apply. In some instances,
nonprofit agencies may also apply for housing vouchers.
How do PHAs apply for voucher funding from HUD?
PHAs respond to notices
of funding availability (NOFAs). Each NOFA identifies allocation
areas, amount of funds available per area, and the selection criteria
for rating and ranking applications.
What families are eligible to apply for mainstream
program vouchers?
Only a family that includes a disabled person and is income eligible
may receive a mainstream program voucher. Applicants will be selected
from the PHA's housing choice voucher waiting list.
How does a PHA determine if a family is income
eligible for the mainstream program vouchers?
The PHA compares the familys annual income (gross income)
with the HUD-established very low-income limit or low income limit
for the area. The family's gross income cannot exceed this limit.
How do families obtain mainstream program vouchers?
Families apply to the local
PHA that administers this program. When an eligible family with
a disabled person comes to the top of the PHAs housing choice voucher
waiting list, the PHA issues a housing choice voucher to the family.
What requirements must a nonprofit entity meet
in order to apply for funding?
A nonprofit entity that wishes to apply for the funding available
under the mainstream program must have the capacity to:
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Develop an administrative plan and PHA plan. |
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Comply with the Section 8 management assessment program (SEMAP)
requirements under 24 CFR Part 985. |
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Administer housing choice voucher program including all activities
such as making determinations as to rent reasonableness, performing
housing quality standards (HQS) inspections and enforcement, conducting
annual income reexaminations of participant families, as well
as otherwise meeting housing choice voucher program requirements
under 24 CFR Part 982 |
Nonprofit disability organizations are encouraged to seek out PHAs
in their geographic area to develop cooperative contractual relationships
under the mainstream program and to enhance services to families
with a disabled person. In addition to contacting local PHAs, nonprofit
disability organizations may also wish to contact regional (multi-county),
or state-wide PHAs who may be applying for mainstream program funding.
How do families obtain an apartment once they
have a voucher?
It is the responsibility of a family to find a unit that meets their
needs. If the family finds a unit that meets the housing quality
standards, the rent is reasonable, and the unit meets other program
requirements, the PHA executes a HAP contract with the property
owner. This contract authorizes the PHA to make subsidy payments
on behalf of the family. If the family moves out of the unit, the
contract with the owner ends and the family can move with continued
assistance to another unit
How much rent do vouchers cover?
The PHA pays the owner the difference between 30 percent of family
income and PHA determined payment standard or gross rent whichever
is lower. The family may choose a unit with a higher rent than the
payment standard and pay the owner the difference.
Do families have to lease a unit in the jurisdiction
where the PHA issued the voucher?
No. A family may choose a unit anywhere in the United States where
there is a PHA that administers a tenant based voucher program.
However, the family may only use the voucher to lease a unit in
an area where the family is income eligible at admission to the
program.
What regulations cover this voucher?
Regulations are found in 24
CFR Part 982.