Section 8 Program

Questions & Answers

----about rental assistance

T he Cambridge Metropolitan Housing Authority administers a program called the Section 8 Program, which enables low-income families to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. This program provides rental assistance for families and single persons who are income eligible. The family pays rent based on their income. On behalf of the family, CMHA pays directly to the landlord, the difference between the family's portion and the total rent. The family receives a Housing Choice Voucher to assist them with the rental unit of their choice. A family may receive assistance in the dwelling unit they are currently renting, or they may look for another place that better suits their needs. However, before assistance begins, the owner must agree to participate in the Program. This includes maintaining the rental property within federal housing quality standards and charging a reasonable rent. Rental units are inspected prior to admission to the Program, and again annually, to assure they are maintained in a decent, safe, and sanitary condition. Family income and other factors are also reexamined annually.
The Section 8 Program not only assists low income families with their rent, but it is advantageous to owners because it assures owners a guaranteed monthly payment. The Program is also advantageous to the community because housing inspection standards improve the quality of available rental housing stock in the county.

1 Q. I am on the waiting list, so why can't I receive rental assistance right now?

  A. HUD determines the amout of money CMHA receives. With the level of funding provided by HUD, CMHA assists as many people as possible. Once the limit is reached, a waiting list is kept.

2 Q. I am a landlord. How can I get my unit on the Program?

  A. You must first have a prospective family who is a Section 8 participant or voucher holder. The family will have you complete a Request for Tenancy Approval. When CMHA receives this form and determines the family is eligible, your unit will be inspected. Once the unit qualifies and the appropriate contracts are signed, the family can be assisted with their rent in this unit.

3 Q. What if I don't have a tenant, but I would like people to know my unit is available to Section 8 tenants?

  A. CMHA can list your unit and circulate information about it to families who are seeking that size of unit. There is no charge for this service. If a family is interested, they will call you. You can also advertise in the paper saying "Will accept HUD." Please do not advertise "HUD Approved" because this is misleading.

4 Q. How do I know if I am income eligible for the Program?

  A. Ask for a copy of our income linit guidelines.

5 Q. If I, a landlord, agree to participate in the Program, do I have to accept every prospective tenant CMHA sends me?

  A. Absolutely not. Landlords have every right to screen prospective tenants and to turn down any that would prove to be a high risk. In fact, CMHA can, on request, furnish the landlord with information on a tenant's prior rental history, if known, to help in the screening process.

6 Q. I have heard that once I put my unit on the Program, I must keep it on forever. Is this true?

  A. No. If a Section 8 tenant moves out of your unit, your Contract with CMHA is over and you do not have to participate again, although CMHA would hope you would be willing to rent to a Section 8 tenant in the future. Most of CMHA's landlords are repeat landlords.

7 Q. Does CMHA help me if I have trouble with my landlord?

  A. CMHA will help both you and your landlord understand the rules and regulations that must be followed. But, CMHA does not mediate disputes between participants and landlords. CMHA does, however, take appropriate action against anyone who is breaking any housing or discrimination laws. CMHA has brochures that explain the Ohio Tenant-Landlord law and the Federal discrimination laws. We will be glad to furnish you with this information.