Housing Choice Vouchers (HCVs) help very low-income families afford safe, decent, and affordable homes. Families with a voucher can choose to rent privately-owned houses, apartments, or townhomes that meet program rules.

Very low-income families—those earning less than 50% of the area's median income—can apply. In some cases, families earning up to 80% of the median income may also qualify. This includes families already getting housing help or those displaced by public housing changes. HUD updates income limits each year based on where you live.

AMHA looks at the family’s total yearly income (before taxes) and compares it to the income limits set by HUD for the area. These limits change based on how many people are in the family. To qualify, the family’s income must be at or below the limit.

Families must apply through a Public Housing Agency (PHA) like AMHA. When a family reaches the top of the waiting list and is found eligible, AMHA will give them a Housing Choice Voucher.

It may take six months to two years for AMHA to process all the families on the waiting list. Be sure to keep your address up to date. If you move, contact the Intake Department and fill out a Waiting List Update Form so you don’t miss important updates.

No, AMHA does not provide emergency housing through its Public Housing or Housing Choice Voucher programs. The HCVP waiting list is usually closed. When it opens, we announce it in local newspapers, on this website, our Facebook page, and in other community locations.

To see if the Public Housing waiting list for your bedroom size is open, click Apply Now on our website. You can also call our office, and the receptionist will let you know which lists are currently accepting applications.

Vouchers are good for 60 days. You can ask for more time, especially if you need it as a reasonable accommodation. However, requests made after your voucher expires are usually not approved.

Extensions are not guaranteed and are decided by the Section 8 Manager. For help, contact your Intake Specialist or Occupancy Specialist for more information about your options.

To get a signed contract, the landlord and family must sign a lease that matches the HCV contract in both start/end dates and monthly rent. The unit must also pass inspection, and the landlord must agree to the rent amount approved by HCV.

In most cases, you cannot rent from your parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, or spouse. However, if a family member has a disability, AMHA may allow it as a reasonable accommodation. If approved, AMHA will send written notice to both the family and the landlord.

No. Tenants are responsible for paying or securing the security deposit on their own. AMHA does not cover this cost.

Talk to the landlord to find out when and if you need to pay a security deposit. Always get the return policy in writing—especially if you don’t end up signing the lease. Most deposits are equal to one month’s rent.

The landlord and tenant decide who pays each utility. These details must be clearly listed in the lease and the housing assistance payments contract.

The landlord sets the rent based on what they would charge a tenant without assistance. HCV will then compare that rent to similar homes in the area. The final amount of assistance depends on that comparison, the results of the inspection, and program payment standards.

Once a family gets a voucher, it’s their job to find a home that meets their needs. The home must pass an inspection, have reasonable rent, and meet all program rules. If approved, AMHA signs a contract with the landlord to begin paying rent on the family’s behalf.

If the family later moves out, the contract ends. They can take their assistance with them and use a new voucher to find a different home.

Families can search in many ways, but we recommend checking www.affordablehousing.com, where landlords can list available rentals.

AMHA pays the difference between 30% of the family’s adjusted income and either the payment standard set by AMHA or the unit’s total rent (including utilities)—whichever is less.

When first moving in, the family’s share of rent and utilities cannot be more than 40% of their income. After the first lease ends, their portion may be higher depending on rent changes.

The Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV) helps with rent, but it doesn’t cover the full amount. You still pay part of the rent based on your income, family size, deductions, and the cost of the unit. HCV is rental assistance—not free rent.

You can move in after the landlord agrees to the rent amount and AMHA sets an approved move-in date. AMHA will not pay for any days before the unit passes the initial inspection.

If the family already lives in the PHA’s area, they can use their voucher anywhere in the U.S. where they qualify. But if they applied from outside the area, they must use the voucher within the PHA’s jurisdiction for the first year.

Yes, you can transfer (or "port") your voucher to the AMHA coverage area. AMHA may either bill your current housing authority or choose to absorb your voucher. To get started, let your current PHA know that you want to port to AMHA.

If you weren’t home, the inspector will do an exterior-only inspection. It’s your responsibility—or your landlord’s—to call AMHA and reschedule.

The deadline to pass the inspection stays the same, so don’t wait. If you miss two inspections, AMHA may start the process to end your housing assistance. Call as soon as possible to reschedule.