Section
8 Housing Choice Voucher Program
How Do I Become a Voucher Program Landlord?
Many Voucher holders
are families who receive income from a
combination of sources because they
are elderly, disabled, attend school,
or work in jobs where they just don't
earn enough to support themselves or
their families. The program
helps low-income households by
subsidizing their rents.
The subsidy payments,
made directly to the landlord, are
usually the difference between a
percentage of tenant income and the
payment standard established for
housing units by bedroom size.
How
does the program work?
-
Approving a tenant.
The City of Mesa determines the income eligibility of
tenants for Housing Choice Voucher assistance.
Landlords must approve the tenant through their own screening process.
-
Unit approval.
The City of Mesa inspects all properties
before a Housing
Choice Voucher Program Contract is signed by using
HUD Housing Quality Standards guidelines.
If a property does not pass this inspection, a reasonable
amount of time will be given for the landlord to
make the necessary repairs and the property will be
re-inspected.
-
Signing a contract and lease.
After the unit passes the HQS Inspection and meets the program requirements,
1) the the City of Mesa and the Landlord will enter into a Housing Assistance
Payment (HAP) Contract, and 2) the tenant and the
landlord will enter into a 12-month rental lease
agreement.
-
Getting paid.
After the contract and lease are signed, the
City of Mesa will
make the initial HAP Payment and continue to make
monthly payments as long as the tenant and property
continue to meet the program criteria. The tenant
will pay their portion of the monthly rent directly
to the landlord.
How
can I tell if my unit is eligible?
Any
type of housing may be rented -
apartments, houses, mobile homes, etc
- as long as the unit is located
within Mesa city limits, meets basic
health and safety standards, and the
rent is reasonable for the size, type,
and location of unit. AND it
must pass an
HQS
Inspection.
What
paperwork do I have to deal with?
Request
for Lease Approval:
Federal form completed by prospective
tenant and prospective landlord
listing the address of the rental
unit, desired rent amount, what
utilities paid by which party, mailing
address for payment to landlord,
amenities, etc.
Housing Assistance
Payments (HAP) Contract:
Written agreement between the City of
Mesa and
the landlord that includes the initial
amount of rent paid by the City of
Mesa to the
landlord.
Lease:
Written agreement between the landlord
and the the Voucher holder. This
document MUST be provided by the
landlord.
Lease Addendum: HAP
Contract wording that must be attached to
your Lease Agreement with the Tenant.
Voucher:
The landlord does not typically deal
with this form. It is good practice to
ask the tenant if they have one and if so,
to show it to you so that you know they are
"legitimate" Mesa Housing clients.
This document describes
Voucher holders' obligations for
participating in the program.
It's easy to reach prospective tenants
If
you have further questions please call
480-644-3536
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