Types of Rental Subsidy Programs

• HUD has two rental subsidy programs for low-income families. The Public Housing Program subsidizes the rent for families that live in federally assisted buildings. The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program allows families to live in any rental housing of their choice and still have their rent subsidized. The tenant is responsible for paying 30 percent of the total household income toward rent. HUD pays the remaining portion of the rent. Some Public Housing facilities are restricted to seniors, or people with disabilities.
  
  

Eligibility

• Families must meet the income requirements for the area they live in to be eligible for a rental subsidy. Public Housing will not admit families with incomes that exceed 80 percent of the area median income. The Section 8 Program typically will not admit families with incomes that exceed 50 percent of the area median income. HUD requires that housing administrators select families with incomes at the extremely low-income limit level, or 30 percent of the area median income, before admitting households with higher incomes.
  
  

Application Process

• The local housing authority will give you guidance on how to apply for a rental subsidy. You will need to submit an application with your name and the names of all the family members that intend on residing in the housing unit. You will need to provide documentation of all the household members' social security numbers and birth dates. Each family member over the age of 18 will be screened for drug-related criminal activity and lifetime sex-offender registration. Applicants with these in their history must be denied admission. All family members must be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens to receive the full subsidy amount.
  
  

Leasing Requirements

• Once it is determined that you are qualified for a rental subsidy, you will be required to sign a HUD Model Lease that outlines the tenant's rent and the rental subsidy. The initial lease term is typically one year. The tenant must agree to an annual re-certification on the anniversary of his move-in date. During the re-certification, the tenant will have to provide documentation of income to ensure his rent is being charged correctly. The tenant must also agree to an annual inspection of his unit.