Section 8

What is the Housing Choice Voucher Program?

“Section 8” is a common name for the Housing Choice Voucher Program, funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Section 8 program allows private landlords to rent apartments and homes at fair market rates to qualified low income tenants, with a rental subsidy.

The Housing Authority receives funding from the Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) to provide rental assistance to participants residing in privately owned properties. Applicants pay between 30 and 40 percent of their gross annual income toward rent and utilities. The Housing Authority pays the balance of the rent, up to a regulated maximum amount.

The Process

Participants apply and are placed on a waiting list. Once a participant is issued a voucher they may find a rental unit of their choice. The dwelling may be a single-family house, townhouse, condominium, apartment, duplex, triplex, and so on. The dwelling must pass the Housing Quality Standards and the rent is then set by both program guidelines and market conditions.

Participants must meet the Owner's screening criteria and execute a lease, pay a security deposit, pay their portion of rent timely and follow program rules and adhere to the landlord's lease.

Eligibility & Application

Eligible individuals and families may apply online at https://www.waitlistcheck.com/UT840 or in person at Carbon - Emery Housing Authority, 251 S 1600 E #2647 Price, Utah. Applicants must complete an application and submit Birth Certificates, Social Security Cards for everyone listed on the application AND Photo ID for all adults. All adults in the household must sign the application and associated forms. Waiting time depends on program funding from HUD and the number of families currently utilizing the program. The wait may be as short as a couple of months to more than a year.

When a voucher becomes available, we request the applicant to update household and income information. We also require income verifications for everyone in the household.

After an applicant updates the application, we ask them to attend an orientation. In the orientation, we explain program procedures, rules, how to begin receiving assistance and the amount of rent the household qualifies for. It is essential that they attend orientation, this is where they receive their voucher.

NO drug or criminal activity

HUD regulations have been modified to allow Housing Authorities to terminate Housing Assistance Payments for those individuals who engage in, or allow guests or visitors to engage in, drug-related criminal activities or violent criminal activities.