3/23/2020

1

1250 Queen Ave SEAlbany, OR 97322

Intake Department:(541) 918‐7328 (phone)(541) 926‐3589 (fax)mail@L‐bha.org (email)

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

ANY PERSON WITH A DISABILITY WHO NEEDS AN ACCOMMODATION WITH RESPECT TO THE SECTION 8 PROGRAM SHOULD INFORM THE HOUSING AUTHORITYA reasonable accommodation is an adjustment made to a rule, policy, practice, or service that allows a person with a disability to have equal access to the HCV program. For example, reasonable accommodations may include extending the voucher term, extra bedroom for a live‐in aide, approving an exception payment standard in order for a participant to lease an accessible dwelling unit, etc.

1

2

3/23/2020

2

WHAT IS A VOUCHER?

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program is designed so you can find decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market.  The Housing Authority will help pay a portion of your monthly rent. We cannot help with application fees or deposits.

You are given 120 days to locate a unit.  You may ask for a 60 day extension (IN WRITING) before the 120 days is up.  If you don’t find a rental by then, your voucher will expire and you will have to reapply to go back on the waiting list.

Question #1

HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?

• You will receive a worksheet showing your maximum rent andutility limit.  You cannot pay the difference on the side.

• You must stay in the unit you select for one year before you have the option to move with your voucher to another unit.

• Once you are approved for unit that fits in your limits, have the landlord fill out the green sheets and get them turned in before your voucher expires.

Question #2

3

4

3/23/2020

3

HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK?

• We will schedule an inspection, usually within 7‐10 business days.

• It is recommended that you do not sign a lease or move into a unit until it passes inspection.

• Once it passes inspection, we will need a copy of your rental agreement.

• We will call you when the final paperwork is ready and you will have to come to the HA to pick up this final paperwork.  You will take it to your landlord for them to sign and then return it to the Housing Authority.  

• You will find out your portion of the rent when you signthe final contract/paperwork.

• The Housing Authority will always notify you in writing if your portion of the rent changes.

• Pay your portion directly to the landlord.  The Housing Authority will send our portion to the landlord through direct deposit.

• If you report a permanent change in your income, this may change your portion of the rent.

Question #3

5

6

3/23/2020

4

WHERE CAN I LOOK FOR A UNIT?

• You can locate a unit in Linn or Benton County.  If your income is over the Linn County income limit, you should have been notified by mail and will search in Benton County only.

• You may be able to search outside of our jurisdiction through the portability process. Your packet of information will provide more details about portability.  Transferring your voucher may affect your family’s assistance.  Contact us for more information.

YOU CHOOSE YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

There may be some benefit to locating a unit outside of higher concentrations of poverty.  Included in the information packet available online is a map of these areas in Linn and Benton County, along with more information. 

7

8

3/23/2020

5

HOW ARE MY RENT LIMITS CALCULATED?

• If your household has income, your limit will increase depending on the amount of income your household receives.  If your income changes before you find a place, this may affect your limits.

• Your voucher limit only applies to get approved for a unit.  After the Housing Authority starts paying a portion of the rent, the voucher limit no longer applies.  

Question #4

HOW MANY BEDROOMS DO I QUALIFY FOR?

The Housing Authority determines the amount of subsidy we can provide based on your household composition.  The information packet has more information about determining bedroom size subsidy.  You are not required to live in the bedroom size given, but the unit you find has to fit in the limits you are given.

For Example:

• If the Housing Authority gives your family a two-bedroom voucher, you can find a unit with two-bedrooms or more as long as it fits in your two-bedroom limit.

• IF YOU FIND A SMALLER UNIT, YOU WILL NEED TO GET THE VOUCHER LIMIT THAT MATCHES THE SMALLER BEDROOM SIZE.

For Example:

• If the Housing Authority gives your family a two-bedroom voucher, you can find a unit with two-bedrooms or more as long as it fits in your two-bedroom limit.

• IF YOU FIND A SMALLER UNIT, YOU WILL NEED TO GET THE VOUCHER LIMIT THAT MATCHES THE SMALLER BEDROOM SIZE.

Question #5

9

10

3/23/2020

6

WHAT’S REQUIRED OF MY LANDLORD?

The owner is responsible for the following:‐Comply with their obligations under the HAP Contract and lease‐Maintain Housing Quality Standards (HQS) for the unit‐Comply with equal opportunity requirements, fair housing, and VAWA      

requirements‐Collect the security deposit, the tenant rent, and any charges for unit damage by the family‐Enforce tenant obligation under the lease

WHAT’S REQUIRED OF MY HOUSEHOLD?

Your entire household must comply with the Section 8 Family Obligations.  You can access a copy of these rules online.  Make sure everyone in your household understands these rules.  

11

12

3/23/2020

7

Section 8 Family Obligations24CFR 982.551

Department of Housing and Urban Development regulations for the Housing Choice Voucher Program permits LBHA toterminate assistance to participants in these programs if any household members or guests do not abide by the followingfamily obligations once the unit is approved and the HAP contract has been executed.

1) The Family MUST:

a) Supply any information that LBHA or HUD determines to be necessary including evidence of citizenshipor eligible immigration status, and information for use in regularly scheduled re-examination or interimre-examination of family income, composition and criminal history. You must keep appointments asthey are scheduled, complete paperwork, return forms, and sign documents by the deadline imposedby the Housing Authority staff. Provide current, reliable mailing address if different from assisteddwelling to help ensure receipt of HA correspondence. Two missed appointments to supply LBHA withthis information is considered a breach of a family responsibility. New income for all family membersmust be reported in writing within 10 days of the change (such as hire date of new job - not firstpaycheck.) New income includes, but is not limited to: Wages, Unemployment, Child support, TANF,Social Security, Pensions, and any other source of income (whether it’s expected to continue or not.)

Section 8 Family Obligations

b) Disclose and verify social security numbers and sign and submit consent forms for obtaininginformation.

c) Supply any information requested by LBHA to verify that the family is living in the unit or informationrelated to family absence from the unit.

d) Notify LBHA in writing within 10 days if any family member no longer lives in the unit.

e) Notify LBHA in writing within 10 days when the family or a family member is away from the unit foran extended period of time (10 days or more) in accordance with LBHA policies.

f) Notify LBHA and the owner in writing before moving out of the unit or terminating the lease.

g) Allow LBHA to inspect the unit at reasonable times and after reasonable notice. Two missedappointments for inspection are considered a breach of this family responsibility.

h) Use the assisted unit for residence by the family. The unit must be the family’s only residence.

i) Notify LBHA in writing within 10 days of the birth, adoption, or court-awarded custody of a child.

13

14

3/23/2020

8

Section 8 Family Obligations

j) Request LBHA written approval to add any other family member as an occupant of the unit (shouldreceive landlord’s permission first). Additional family members must not move in to the unit untilapproved by the Housing Authority.

k) Give LBHA a copy of all notices including any owner eviction notice within 10 days of receipt.

l) Pay utility bills and supply appliances that the owner is not required to supply under the lease.

m) You may have guests, but such guests may not occupy the premises for more than 30 consecutive daysor more than 90 non-consecutive days in any 12-month period. You may not have any series ofguests who exceed these limits without our approval. A guest is considered to occupy the unit if theyconduct normal daily functions in the assisted unit (such as: bathing, eating, sleeping, storing clothingor other personal belongings, etc.). Must get HA approval prior to allowing additional familymember/s to move in.

Section 8 Family Obligations

1) The Family (Including Each Family Member) Must NOT:

a) Own or have any interest in the unit (other than in a cooperative, or the owner of a manufacturedhome leasing a manufactured home space).

b) Commit any serious or repeated violations of the lease. (IE: non-payment or late payment of rent,poor housekeeping, disturbing the peaceful enjoyment of neighbors etc.)

c) Commit fraud, or bribery or any other corrupt or criminal act in connection with the program.d) Participate in illegal drug or violent criminal activity. The family is responsible for the illegal drug or

violent criminal activity of guests in the assisted unit.e) Sublease or let the unit or assign the lease or transfer the unit.f) Receive Housing Choice Programs tenant-based housing assistance while receiving another

housing subsidy, for the same unit or a different unit under any other Federal, State or Localhousing assistance program.

g) Damage the unit or premises (other than damage from ordinary wear and tear) or permit any guestto damage the unit or premises.

h) Engage in threatening, abusive or violent behavior toward any LBHA personnel.

15

16

3/23/2020

9

i) Be related to the landlord (owner). The landlord cannot be the parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, sisteror brother of any member of the participating family, including minors. The only exemption that may beapproved by LBHA is if a family member is a person with disabilities.

j) Engage in illegal use of a controlled substance; or abuse of alcohol that threatens the health and safety orright to peaceful enjoyment of the premises by other residents.

Any information the family supplies must be true and complete.

By its signature, the family agrees to fulfill the program responsibilities noted above, and understands that failureto do so, BY ANY FAMILY MEMBER, may result in permanent loss of housing assistance eligibility, and criminalprosecution.

Signatures (EVERYONE 18 AND OLDER MUST SIGN):

1. ______________________________________________ Date: _____________________

2.  ______________________________________________ Date: _____________________

3. _______________________________________________ Date: _____________________

FAMILY SELF‐SUFFICIENCY PROGRAM?

FEELING MOTIVATED?   READY FOR CHANGE?

CONTACT THE FSS DEPARTMENT TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO MEET WITH A COORDINATOR TO SEE WHAT THIS VOLUNTARY PROGRAM CAN DO FOR YOUR FAMILY, INCLUDING BUILDING YOUR FAMILY’S ASSETS!!

WENDY: (541) 918‐7313 KEONALI: (541) 918‐7326

17

18

3/23/2020

10

GREEN SHEETS/REQUEST FOR TENANCY APPROVAL

19

20

3/23/2020

11

21

22

3/23/2020

12

IMPORTANT REMINDERS….

• Both rent and the utilities you pay must fit in your limits.  Not just the rent amount.

• Always put your information in writing.  We have a drop box outside the office for your convenience.

• The Housing Authority does not have the same reporting requirements as other agencies.  Always contact your case manager if you’re not sure if something needs reported. 

• You can request to add someone to your household.  Ask you case manager what paperwork is necessary.

Question #6

IMPORTANT REMINDERS….

• Decreases in income must be reported and all household income verified by the end of the month to consider a rent change for the first of the following month.  For your rent to change, generally, the decrease must last more than 45 days from the time reported, and result in an overall decrease in household income.

• The Housing Authority uses your gross income (before taxes and deductions) to calculate your income.  We cannot adjust your rent due to garnishments or deductions (medical expense deductions may qualify).

• Always make sure the unit fits in your limits before you pay any application fees or sign a rental agreement/lease.

Question #7

23

24

3/23/2020

13

WHAT DO YOU DO NEXT?

• You are welcome to watch the video again if you have any questions. Please call the Housing Authority if you have any additional questions

• You will need to return the completed Section 8 Briefing Questionnaire and the signed voucher and Section 8 Family Obligations to our office by the due date shown on the questionnaire.

• After we receive these forms, we will provide you with your housing budget worksheet, the utility allowance schedule, the green sheets, and a step by step instruction guide.

• You will have 120 days from the day we mail this information to you to locate a unit and turn in the green sheets filled out by the landlord.

• Remember, you can also ask for an extension, in writing, before your voucher expires to get one extension of 60 days.

• Please do not hesitate to contact the office if you have any questions or need any clarification.  Don’t forget to turn return the questionnaire, the voucher, and the Section 8 Family Obligations!!

25