Housing Choice Voucher
The Housing Choice Voucher Program is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe and sanitary housing in the private market. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses, duplexes, mobile homes and apartments.
The participant is free to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program and where the landlord is willing to accept the voucher payment. Housing Choice Vouchers are administered locally by Tatum Housing Authority (THA). THA receives federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer the voucher program.
A family that is issued a housing voucher is responsible for finding a suitable housing unit of the family’s choice where the owner agrees to rent under the program. This unit may include the family’s present residence. Rental units must meet minimum standards of health and safety, as determined by the PHA.
A housing subsidy is paid to the landlord directly by THA on behalf of the participating family. The family then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program.
THA currently has an allocation of 67 HCV vouchers. The Housing Choice Voucher Program Administrative Plan establishes guidelines for applicant eligibility and continued rental assistance. We currently also have 40 PBV vouchers for housing on the Sterling Oaks site.
THA programs provide housing assistance for families, elderly, and disabled individuals through our PBV Housing Program and Housing Choice Vouchers Program.
The Housing Choice Voucher Program is designed to achieve four major objectives:
- To provide improved living conditions for low and very low-income families while maintaining their rent payments at an affordable level;
- To promote freedom of housing choice and integrate lower income and minority families into mainstream society;
- To provide decent, safe, and affordable housing for eligible participants; and
- To provide an incentive to private property owners to rent to lower income families by offering timely assistance payments.
Landlords play a key role in meeting the objectives of the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
Tenants can expect to pay about 30% to 40% of their monthly income towards their rent.
We now have Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) vouchers available!