The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program was formerly known as Section 8. The HCV 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. A participating family or individual with a voucher may rent any housing unit that meets the program requirements from any owner who agrees to rent under the voucher program. Typically, a family pays approximately 30% of their calculated income toward rent.
The voucher recipient is responsible for finding a suitable housing unit, which may be a single-family home, townhouse, apartment, or the family’s current 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 the PHA on behalf of the participating family. The family pays the remaining balance.
The federal government assigns a limited number of housing choice vouchers to each public housing agency (PHA) and provides funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer the voucher program. The vouchers are then administered locally by the PHAs.
In addition to the regular Housing Choice Voucher, the County of Humboldt Housing Authority has other voucher programs for individuals and families who meet specific criteria:
Eligibility for a housing voucher is determined by the Public Housing Authority (PHA) based on:
1) annual gross income of all adults 18 years and older in the household;
2) U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status;
3) the applicant’s status (e.g. family, elderly, a person with a disability, etc.); and
4) other program-specific eligibility factors.
In general, the family’s income may not exceed 50% of the median income for the area in which the family chooses to live. By law, a PHA must provide 75% of new vouchers issued each year to applicants whose incomes do not exceed 30% of the area median income. Median income levels are published by HUD and vary by location. You can check 2021 income limits here.
The HCV program assistance is limited to US citizens and specified categories of non-citizens who have eligible immigration status.
Yes. Long waiting periods for vouchers are common since the demand for housing assistance often exceeds the limited number of available vouchers and the resources available to HUD and the local housing agencies.
To apply for a voucher, download the below application or request an application by calling (707) 443-4583 ext. 210 or by visiting us at 735 West Everding Street, Eureka, CA. 95503.
During the application process, we will collect documents related to your family income, assets, and family composition. The PHA will use the information to determine your eligibility and will verify this information with other local agencies, your employer, and your bank.
After you receive a voucher, find a suitable housing unit, such as a single-family home, townhouse, apartment, or your current residence, with an owner who agrees to rent under the voucher program. Rental units must meet minimum standards of health and safety, as determined by the PHA.
Once the owner completes their paperwork and the unit is inspected and approved, a housing subsidy is paid to the owner directly by the PHA on behalf of the participating family. The family pays the remaining balance.
Public housing was established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. A family that lives in public housing lives in a unit owned and managed by a public housing authority (PHA). The Housing Authority of the City of Eureka manages 261 public housing units locally.
HUD provides Federal aid to public housing agencies (PHAs) that manage the housing units for low-income residents at rents they can afford. In fact, rent is often determined by the family’s income. For a typical family living in public housing, rent is approximately 30% of their income on average.
Public housing is limited to low-income families and individuals. A PHA determines eligibility based on
1) annual gross income of all adults 18 years and older in the household;
2) U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status; and
3) the applicant’s status (e.g. family, elderly, a person with a disability).
If you are eligible, the PHA will check your references to make sure you and your family will be good tenants. The PHA will deny admission to any applicant whose habits and practices may be expected to have a detrimental effect on other tenants or on the project’s environment.
Public housing authorities use income limits developed by HUD. Income limits vary from area to area so you may be eligible in one area but not in another. You can check HUD’s 2020 Income Limits here.
Yes. Long waiting periods for public housing units are common since the demand for housing assistance often exceeds the number of available public housing units.
To apply for Public Housing, request an application by calling (707) 443-4583 ext. 210 or by visiting us at 735 West Everding Street, Eureka, CA. 95503.
During the application process, we will collect documents related to your family income, assets, and family composition. We use the information to determine your eligibility and will verify this information with other local agencies, your employer, and your bank.
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Housing Authorities of the City of Eureka & County of Humboldt
735 WEST EVERDING STREET, EUREKA, CA 95503
