Assisted Housing FAQs
Click through the following links for more information.
- What is the Housing Choice Voucher Program?
- How does the Housing Choice Voucher Program Work?
- How does a Housing Choice Voucher work?
- How is an eligible Housing Choice Voucher program participant selected?
- Does the landlord property have to be inspected?
- When can a landlord expect to receive full rent for the Housing Choice Voucher unit?
- Is Your Rent Affordable with the voucher you were awarded?
- Help and More Information
Q: What Is The Housing Choice Voucher Program?
A: The Housing Choice Voucher Program is a federal rent subsidy that assists low-income households with monthly rental payments.
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Q: How Does The Housing Choice Voucher Program Work?
A: The Authority administers funds received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and distributes them in the form of Housing Choice Vouchers to eligible families and individuals. A voucher allows program participants to rent housing that meets their needs at a price they can afford.
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Q: How Does A Housing Choice Voucher Work?
A: All eligible families are required to pay at least 30 percent (but no more than 40 percent initially) of their monthly-adjusted income toward rent directly to the landlord. The Tampa Housing Authority pays the landlord the difference between the Contract Rent and the tenant's portion. A tenant must find housing within 90 days or risk losing the voucher.
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Q: How Is An Eligible Housing Choice Voucher Program Participant Selected?
A: The Tampa Housing Authority reviews the eligibility of the participant(s) based on household income and family composition. The landlord is responsible for screening the occupants for the rental unit and must follow federal, state and local equal opportunity laws.
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Q: Does The Landlord Property Have To Be Inspected?
A: Yes. When the family submits the request for tenancy approval (RTA), a Housing Quality Standards (H.Q.S.) inspection will be performed. This inspection is required to make sure that the unit meets the housing quality standards set by HUD and the Tampa Housing Authority, before the rental subsidy can begin. If there are any failed items discovered during the inspection, you will be notified in writing and will be provided a deadline to make the repairs. The subsidy will not begin until the unit meets all of the H.Q.S. requirements, and no retroactive payments may be made for the time period before the unit passes inspection. Upon receipt of the RTA, it may take up to 2 weeks to schedule the HQS inspection.
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Q: When Can A Landlord Expect To Receive Full Rent For The Housing Choice Voucher Unit?
A: Once the unit has passed the H.Q.S. inspection, the agency will determine if the rent is reasonable. If the rent is determined reasonable, the Housing Counselor will notify the family and owner of the approval to move in to the unit. Upon receipt of the lease with a copy of the tenancy addendum attached, a Housing Assistance Payment contract will be generated. The participant is expected to pay his or her portion of the rent directly to the landlord by the first of each month, or as stated in the lease. The Tampa Housing Authority portion of the rent will be issued by direct deposit during the first week of each month. It may take at least 45 days before the first payment will be released as long as all parties submit documents timely.
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Q: Is Your Rent Affordable With The Voucher You Were Awarded?
A: Check with our Rent Calculator!
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Q: Where Can I Get More Help?
A: Contact our Customer Service Department at 813.253.0551 for more information.
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