Section 8 Housing Rules & Regulations
- What are rules regarding Section 8 housing?wooden house image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com
With the cost of living on the rise, locating an affordable home can prove difficult. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers a program for assisting low-income families with Section 8 housing costs. The program makes payments directly to landlords of public housing communities or provides vouchers to individuals who choose to select their own house. A number of Section 8 requirements exist to ensure that both tenants and landlords comply with the HUD guidelines. - In order to qualify for Section 8 housing assistance, prospective tenants must meet certain eligibility requirements. Eligibility for the program is determined by examining the family size and income of the applicant. To qualify, the applicant's income must not exceed 50 percent of the median income for the area in which they apply. Income and assets are also verified.
After being approved, tenants must meet specific obligations. The individual must sign a one-year lease, and in some cases are required to pay a security deposit to the landlord. Tenants are required to comply with all terms of their lease, pay their rent on time and notify HUD of any changes in income or family size. - While some landlords prefer not to accept Section 8 vouchers, many participate in the program knowing that at least a portion of the rent will be paid every month. Landlords may notify Section 8 of their desire to accept the vouchers, and must screen potential tenants themselves. After finding a tenant, the dwelling is inspected to ensure that the property meets Section 8 standards. Landlords are required to provide safe and sanitary housing at a reasonable rate. The landlord must also comply with the terms of the lease and are required to maintain the property as well as provide maintenance services in the event of a problem.
- In 1999, HUD created the Earned Income Disallowance program to freeze rent rates for a set amount of time if the individual sees an increase in their income. The program promotes self-sufficiency by allowing tenants to keep the money they are earning instead of paying an increased rent rate due to increase in income not being counted when rent is figured. An individual may qualify for the Earned Income Disallowance if they meet one of the following circumstances: the increase in income is due to returning to the workforce after being unemployed for 12 months; the income increase is a result of obtaining part-time employment; or the increase is due to the individual obtaining a job or a raise while on receiving welfare benefits. The increase may not be counted for up to two years, depending on which circumstance an individual experiences.
