The Longmont Housing Authority

Set Priorities – Develop Strategies – Take Action – Measure Outcomes – Recognize and Celebrate Success

FOR TENANTS

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waitlists are currently closed, and we are not accepting applications at this time.

HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER (SECTION 8)
The federally funded Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program is voluntary for both landlords and tenants. It helps eligible, very low-income families with their monthly rental housing payments.
Read further to learn how it works, whether you’re eligible, and how to apply.

HOW IT WORKS
A family whose household income is 30% or less of the area's medium household income is certified to participate in the program from the Longmont Housing Authority.

Through a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract, direct monthly payments are made to the landlord/property owner for the amount of rent that the family cannot afford. After allowances are made for utilities not included in the rent, the HAP makes up the difference in total amount due.

For example, if 30% of a family's gross monthly income is $100, and the rent (including utilities) for the selected apartment is $350 per month, the tenant pays the landlord $100 and the remaining $250 is paid to the landlord by the Longmont Housing Authority through the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.

REQUIREMENTS
A family may either remain in their present rental unit or move to another. The following guidelines are applicable:

  1. Under the Housing Choice Voucher Program, the family's share of gross rent (rent to owner plus tenant-paid utilities) must not exceed 40 percent of the family's monthly-adjusted income. This rent restriction will not apply to a family that rents a unit for a gross rent at or below the Payment Standard for the family. The Longmont Housing Authority will not approve a tenancy for initial occupancy of a unit if the family's share would exceed 40 percent of adjusted income. There are  Payment Standards for calculating subsidies for the Voucher Program based on the size of the household.
  2. The unit must be in decent, safe and sanitary condition (meets relevant HUD housing quality standards).
  3. The minimum lease length is one year (the majority of leases under the program are written for this length of time).
  4. Owners determine the security deposit. The security deposit cannot exceed one month's rent.

FAMILY ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

  • The family’s household annual income must not exceed HUD’s established income limit.
  • The family must be a U. S. citizen or legal non-citizen
  • Persons evicted from Public Housing or any Section 8 Program for drug related criminal activity are ineligible for at least three years.

AUTHORITY AND FAMILY PAYMENTS:

  • Payment Standards are established by the Authority and are based on the cost of housing and utilities in the Authority’s jurisdiction.
  • The family’s share of gross rent (rent to owner plus allowances for tenant paid utilities) must not exceed 40% of the family monthly income.
  • The Authority’s HAP payment will not exceed the amount of the Payment Standard minus the family total tenant payment.

OWNER, FAMILY AND AUTHORITY RESPONSIBILITIES:
 

OWNER:

  • Performs tenant screening prior to selection and leasing
  • Complies with terms of the HAP contract and lease
  • Performs all usual management and landlord functions
  • Maintains the unit in accordance with HQS and makes required repairs in a prompt manner.
  • Notifies the Authority when the family vacates the unit
  • All owner responsibilities are further defined in the HAP contract and the lease

FAMILY

  • Supply all required information to the Authority and/or HUD as necessary for participation in the program
  • Search for housing
  • Pay their portion of the rent and adhere to all lease requirements
  • Permit annual and other reasonable inspections of unit
  • Use the unit solely as the principle place of residence, agreeing not to assign or sublet.
  • Promptly notify the Authority within 10 days of any family composition or income change
  • Pay all applicable utility bills
  • Maintain the unit in the manner as requested by the owner
  • Notify the Authority and landlord prior to vacating the unit
  • Not be involved in any fraudulent activities
  • Comply with the voucher and terms of the lease

AUTHORITY

  • Comply with HUD regulations and the Authority’s Administrative Plan
  • Receive and process applications, determine eligibility, maintain the waiting list, select applicants, issue and provide housing information to voucher holders
  • Provide the owner with the participant’s current address and the name and address of the family’s former and current landlord.
  • Inspect the selected unit prior to providing assistance, and at least annually during the tenancy term.
  • Determine the amount of housing assistance payment and whether the rent is reasonable
  • Recertify family income and composition at least annually
  • Establish and adjust Authority utility allowances.
  • Administer a Family Self-Sufficiency Program
  • Make prompt payments to owner
  • Enforce owner compliance with HAP contracts and take appropriate action for noncompliance
  • Affirmatively further fair housing and comply with equal housing opportunity requirements.