Rental Assistance
What is the Housing Choice Voucher Program's Rental Assistance?
The Section 8 Housing choice voucher Program allows low income families to choose and lease safe, decent and affordable privately owned rental housing. Participants are free to choose any housing within Lawrence County that meets the requirements of the program and is a reasonable rent for their size family.
Participants are expected to comply with the landlord’s lease and the program requirements, pay rent on time, maintain the unit in good condition and notify the housing agency of any changes in income or family composition. All responsibilities and rights are directed by federal law, in contrast, most rights and duties of private tenants are set by the landlord.
Participants are expected to comply with the landlord’s lease and the program requirements, pay rent on time, maintain the unit in good condition and notify the housing agency of any changes in income or family composition. All responsibilities and rights are directed by federal law, in contrast, most rights and duties of private tenants are set by the landlord.
Why the Housing Choice Voucher Program is For You
Unlike public housing, which allows low-income families and individuals to rent directly from a local housing authority (HA), which sets rent at an affordable level, Housing Choice Voucher Program (often referred to as the “Section 8 Voucher Program”) was created to allow very low-income (defined as 50% or less of the local median income) families and individuals to rent on the private market using vouchers which cover a portion of the monthly rent.
Usually, you will be responsible for paying 30% of your adjusted gross monthly income in rent and utilities; the local housing authority will pay the difference (up to an allowable level) directly to the landlord each month. If the difference between the total rent and 30% of your income exceeds the local Payment Standard, you may be required to pay the difference as well (up to a minimum of 40%). It is against regulations for you to pay more than 40% initially when you lease up a unit. The amount of rental assistance we can approve for a family depends on the Payment Standard in which the family qualifies.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, OR TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, CALL 870-886-7816.
PAYMENT STANDARDS FOR LAWRENCE COUNTY: EFFECTIVE 12-1-23
0- BEDROOM: $664.00 1- BEDROOM: $682.00 2-BEDROOM: $895.00 3-BEDROOM: $1190.00 4-BEDROOM: $1403.00
(This figure includes utilities). If the landlord does not include the utilities in the rent, then the Housing Agency will deduct a utility allowance from the Payment Standard. The unit must also be reasonable and comparable with other units in the area and meet the Housing Quality Standard inspection. The Housing Agency will be happy to do figuring for you on any property in which you are interested in renting.
Usually, you will be responsible for paying 30% of your adjusted gross monthly income in rent and utilities; the local housing authority will pay the difference (up to an allowable level) directly to the landlord each month. If the difference between the total rent and 30% of your income exceeds the local Payment Standard, you may be required to pay the difference as well (up to a minimum of 40%). It is against regulations for you to pay more than 40% initially when you lease up a unit. The amount of rental assistance we can approve for a family depends on the Payment Standard in which the family qualifies.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, OR TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, CALL 870-886-7816.
PAYMENT STANDARDS FOR LAWRENCE COUNTY: EFFECTIVE 12-1-23
0- BEDROOM: $664.00 1- BEDROOM: $682.00 2-BEDROOM: $895.00 3-BEDROOM: $1190.00 4-BEDROOM: $1403.00
(This figure includes utilities). If the landlord does not include the utilities in the rent, then the Housing Agency will deduct a utility allowance from the Payment Standard. The unit must also be reasonable and comparable with other units in the area and meet the Housing Quality Standard inspection. The Housing Agency will be happy to do figuring for you on any property in which you are interested in renting.