Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority

APPLICANTS -- How to apply for the HCV (Section 8) Waiting List?

Applications are available at the receptionist desk of Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority at 1600 Kansas Avenue, Lorain. Office hours are 8:00 - 4:00 Monday through Friday.

If you will be the only person living in your HCV (Section 8) unit, and you are NOT disabled or elderly, we will NOT accept your application at this time, because you will not be eligible to receive assistance unless there are NO elderly or disabled families on our waiting list.

The Applicant family must qualify for local preferences based on current requirements and the gross annual income of the family may not exceed the very low-income limits as established by HUD. If the family meets the requirements, they complete the application and come to the HCV (Section 8) office where they will be interviewed by the HCV (Section 8) Admissions personnel. The family must bring all documents as stated in the application instructions, or the application will not be accepted at that time.

Applications will be accepted on Monday and Tuesday from 1:00 - 3:00
No appointment is necessary. Applications are not accepted by mail. Do not drop the application off at the office. You must be interviewed. Special accommodations may be made if requested by a person with disabilities.

What are the local preferences?

Please contact the HCV (Section 8) office for current requirements.

Are you a Veteran or current spouse or widow of a Veteran with an Honorable Discharge?
Must have proof of honorable discharge such as DD214
Do you live OR work in Lorain County?
Must have proof of address such as picture ID, pay stub, utility bill, etc.
Have you or your legal spouse been steadily employed for the past 90 days?
If you are disabled and collecting Social Security, SSI or SSD, answer yes to this question. If you are elderly (62 years of age or older), answer yes to this question.

Must have name, address, phone number of employer and pay stubs from the past 90 days, or a payroll printout from your employer. Disabled or Elderly must have proof of SS income.
Do you CURRENTLY live in a unit where the lease and/or utilities are in YOUR name or your spouse's name, AND have you paid more than 50% of your GROSS MONTHLY INCOME toward your rent and utilities for at least the past 3 months?
Must provide a copy of your lease, rent receipts, or proof of rent paid for the past 3 months. Must provide a 12-month billing history printout (utility bills are not accepted) for utilities that are in your name (electric, gas, water, and/or trash only). If you have zero income, or live in assisted housing and receive a utility reimbursement, you do not qualify for this preference. You CANNOT be residing with the landlord.
Involuntarily displaced by government action.
Must provide documentation.
Victim of natural disaster.
Must provide documentation.
LMHA Public Housing resident needing HCV (Section 8) assistance. Only if public housing is unable to accommodate the tenant due to lack of an accessible unit, or if the move is due to a safety issue related to criminal activity. Must have documentation from Public Housing.
receiving SS, SSI, or SSD for a disabled child.

The Voucher program is for families with very low income. The income is the combined GROSS annual income of all family members 18 years of age or over (unless they are a dependent student). Documentation will be required for proof of income and full-time student status. The gross annual household income must be below:

For a family of	1........$22,300 per year	For a family of	5........$34,400 per year
	2........$25,500 per year		6........$36,950 per year
	3........$28,700 per year		7........$39,550 per year
	4........$31,850 per year		8........$42,500 per year

How soon is a HCV (Section 8) voucher issued after placement on the waiting list?
Where a person falls on the waiting list is based on two factors:
1. The number of preferences the applicant family has proven
2. The date and time of the application when it is accepted with all required documents

The applicant must notify the admissions office of any changes from the original application information, IN WRITING, within 14 days of the change. These changes could affect the applicant's status on the waiting list.

We do not give persons their number on the waiting list, as this number changes every day by taking additional applications and changing the status of those already on the waiting list that report changes. The applicant will be notified in writing when funding is available to assist them.

Does the HCV (Section 8) voucher program provide emergency housing?
NO emergency housing is available through the voucher program. Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority accepts application also for the Public Housing assistance program. The applications are available at the reception desk also.

Can a voucher holder lease from a relative and receive rental assistance?
The voucher holder CANNOT reside in a unit and receive rental assistance if that unit is owned by a mother, father, child, grandparent, grandchild, sister or brother of ANY MEMBER OF THE HCV (Section 8) PARTICIPANT'S HOUSEHOLD. The Housing Authority may make an exception if it is determined that approving the rental of the unit owned by a relative would provide reasonable accommodation for a family member who is a person with disabilities.

How is a unit located?
The voucher holder is responsible for finding a unit suitable for their family's needs. The HCV (Section 8) department does maintain a list of available units, and updates this list when landlords report additional units to us. It is recommended to look in the local newspapers, which advertise property for rent daily; drive through desirable neighborhoods and look for rental signs; check the yellow pages of the telephone book for listings of apartments and management companies. Tenants and families can also view thousands of HCV (Section 8) rentals with just a few clicks of their mouse for FREE at www.gosection8.com.

Who pays the Security Deposit?
The tenant is responsible to pay the landlord the requested amount of the security deposit directly. The tenant should discuss this matter with the prospective landlord to make sure they can afford this fee. The landlord may not charge a HCV (Section 8) participant any larger amount than his customary charge for his unassisted rental units. HCV (Section 8) DOES NOT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE WITH SECURITY DEPOSITS, although some agencies in Lorain County do have monetary assistance available.

Can an owner evict a HCV (Section 8) rental assisted tenant?
Yes, the owner has the right to file for eviction when the tenant does not pay their portion of the rent. The owner may also file for eviction for violation of the lease provisions.