Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
♪ MUSIC ♪
CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE
IN THE HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM.
THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES YOU WITH HOUSING ASSISTANCE
AND ALLOWS YOU MORE CHOICE IN WHERE YOU WANT TO LIVE.
TO DO THIS,
THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT,
OR HUD, PROVIDES MONEY TO YOUR HOUSING AGENCY
TO PAY PART OF THE RENT TO YOUR LANDLORD.
NOW THAT YOU HAVE BEEN DETERMINED TO BE ELIGIBLE
FOR THE PROGRAM,
THIS VIDEO CAN GIVE YOU A BETTER IDEA
OF HOW TO FIND A PLACE TO LIVE
AND WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR PARTICIPATION.
YOUR HOUSING REPRESENTATIVE WILL ALSO EXPLAIN
THE HOUSING AGENCY'S RULES
AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.
THE HOUSING AGENCY WILL WORK WITH BOTH YOU AND YOUR LANDLORD.
THE PROGRAM CAN ONLY BE SUCCESSFUL
THROUGH A SOLID PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE LANDLORD,
THE HOUSING AGENCY, AND YOU.
ALL THREE HAVE IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES TO EACH OTHER.
LET'S GO OVER THE HOUSING AGENCY'S RESPONSIBILITIES,
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES, AND YOUR LANDLORD'S.
THE HOUSING AGENCY HAS MANY RESPONSIBILITIES.
...BEFORE AGREEING TO RENT THE UNIT.
YOU WILL GET A BRIEFING PACKET FROM THE HOUSING AGENCY
THAT CONTAINS INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROGRAM,
THE FORMS YOU'LL NEED TO COMPLETE
WHEN YOU FIND A PLACE YOU WANT TO LIVE,
AND YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES ONCE YOU ARE ON THE PROGRAM.
TAKE A MOMENT TO LOOK THROUGH THE PACKET
YOUR AGENCY HAS GIVEN YOU.
...WHICH IS A FAMILY TAKES THEIR VOUCHER TO ANOTHER AGENCY'S JURISDICTION
AND CONTINUES TO RECEIVE ASSISTANCE.
...WHICH IS THE HUD FORM YOU MUST SUBMIT
WHEN YOU FIND A UNIT THAT THE LANDLORD IS WILLING TO LEASE.
...THAT DESCRIBES HOW TO SELECT A UNIT.
...WHICH ARE WRITTEN ON THE VOUCHER ITSELF.
IF YOU, OR ANYONE IN YOUR FAMILY IS A PERSON WITH DISABILITIES,
AND YOU NEED A SPECIFIC ACCOMMODATION
BECAUSE OF YOUR DISABILITY IN ORDER TO FULLY ACCESS
YOUR AGENCY'S PROGRAMS AND SERVICES,
PLEASE TALK TO THE PERSON YOU ARE WORKING WITH
AT THE HOUSING AGENCY.
THEY WILL WORK TOGETHER WITH YOU TO BE SURE THAT YOUR FAMILY
HAS EQUAL ACCESS TO ALL AVAILABLE HOUSING PROGRAMS
AND OPPORTUNITIES.
YOUR VOUCHER IS THE MOST IMPORTANT DOCUMENT
IN YOUR BRIEFING PACKET.
IT IS THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN YOU AND THE HOUSING AGENCY,
AND LISTS ALL OF YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
UNDER THE PROGRAM.
THE UNIT SIZE LISTED ON YOUR VOUCHER
REFERS TO THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF BEDROOMS
FOR WHICH YOU CAN RECEIVE ASSISTANCE.
IF YOU CHOOSE A LARGER BEDROOM SIZE,
THE HOUSING AGENCY WILL ONLY PAY FOR THE BEDROOM SIZE
OF YOUR VOUCHER.
IF YOU CHOOSE A SMALLER BEDROOM SIZE,
THE HOUSING AGENCY WILL PAY THE AMOUNT
FOR THE SMALLER BEDROOM SIZE.
THE EXPIRATION DATE IS LISTED ON YOUR VOUCHER.
IF YOUR VOUCHER EXPIRES BEFORE YOU FIND SUITABLE HOUSING
AND TURN IN YOUR PAPERWORK TO THE AGENCY,
YOU WILL HAVE TO REAPPLY AND GO BACK ON THE WAITING LIST
IF IT'S OPEN.
THAT IS WHY IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU FIND A SUITABLE UNIT
AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
IN SOME CASES, YOUR AGENCY MIGHT BE WILLING
TO EXTEND YOUR SEARCH TIME.
YOUR HOUSING REPRESENTATIVE WILL EXPLAIN THE POLICY
ON EXTENDING VOUCHERS.
IT'S UP TO YOU TO DECIDE WHERE YOU WANT TO LIVE.
YOU MAY LOOK FOR A UNIT ANYWHERE
WITHIN THE HOUSING AGENCY'S JURISDICTION.
YOU MAY ALSO LOOK FOR A UNIT
OUTSIDE THE AGENCY'S JURISDICTION IF YOU QUALIFY.
YOU MAY CHOOSE TO CONTINUE LIVING IN YOUR CURRENT UNIT,
AS LONG AS IT QUALIFIES UNDER PROGRAM RULES.
ON THE OTHER HAND, IF YOU LIVE IN A HIGH POVERTY NEIGHBORHOOD,
YOU MAY WANT TO CONSIDER SEARCHING FOR A HOUSING UNIT
IN ANOTHER AREA.
YOUR VOUCHER MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO LOOK IN PLACES
YOU MAY NOT HAVE LOOKED FOR A UNIT BEFORE.
SOME OF THE ADVANTAGES OF MOVING TO A LOWER POVERTY AREA
COULD BE BETTER EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES,
OR BEING CLOSER TO COMMUNITY SERVICES.
IN YOUR SEARCH FOR SUITABLE HOUSING,
YOU'LL WANT TO CHOOSE A PLACE THAT MEETS YOUR FAMILY'S NEEDS.
FIRST CONSIDER THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND UNIT.
YOU MAY WANT TO CONSIDER OTHER FACTORS, LIKE:
IN YOUR BRIEFING PACKET,
YOU SHOULD FIND A LIST OF PROPERTY OWNERS
WHO MAY HAVE AVAILABLE UNITS.
YOU ARE NOT LIMITED TO THIS LIST.
YOU MAY ALSO WANT TO USE THE INTERNET, THE NEWSPAPER,
OR APARTMENT GUIDES.
AS YOU SEARCH FOR A UNIT,
KEEP IN MIND THAT THE UNIT WILL HAVE TO PASS INSPECTION,
SO THE CONDITION OF THE UNIT YOU CHOOSE IS IMPORTANT.
THE HUD BROCHURE INCLUDED IN YOUR BRIEFING PACKET DESCRIBES
HOW TO CHOOSE A UNIT THAT WILL PASS INSPECTION.
THERE IS ALSO A "LEAD-BASED PAINT" BROCHURE IN YOUR PACKET
THAT YOU SHOULD REVIEW.
YOU MAY HAVE TO LOOK AT SEVERAL UNITS BEFORE YOU FIND ONE
YOU WANT TO RENT AND THAT QUALIFIES FOR THE PROGRAM.
ALSO, WHEN YOU MEET WITH THE OWNER TO LOOK AT THE UNIT,
YOU MAY WANT TO ASK THESE QUESTIONS:
MANY OWNERS WILL HAVE YOU COMPLETE AN APPLICATION,
AND MAY CHECK YOUR CREDIT AND REFERENCES
ALONG WITH YOUR RENTAL HISTORY.
YOUR BRIEFING PACKET CONTAINS A STATEMENT
OF THE HOUSING AGENCY'S POLICY ON PROVIDING INFORMATION
TO PROSPECTIVE OWNERS.
IF THE OWNER IS NOT FAMILIAR WITH
THE HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM,
LET THEM KNOW THAT HE OR SHE CAN CONTACT YOUR HOUSING AGENCY.
A HOUSING REPRESENTATIVE WILL EXPLAIN HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS.
YOUR HOUSING AGENCY MAY ALSO PROVIDE
AN OWNER INFORMATION PACKET OR HANDBOOK,
OR THEY MAY HOLD MEETINGS FOR NEW OWNERS.
WHEN YOU CHOOSE THE UNIT YOU WANT,
YOU MUST REQUEST THAT THE HOUSING AGENCY APPROVE IT
BY SUBMITTING THE REQUEST FOR TENANCY APPROVAL FORM
IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS
THAT YOUR AGENCY REQUIRES YOU TO PROVIDE.
REMEMBER...
IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT SIGN A LEASE
BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR PAPERWORK TO THE AGENCY.
YOU CANNOT SIGN A LEASE UNTIL THE UNIT PASSES INSPECTION
AND IS APPROVED FOR THE PROGRAM.
WHEN THE HOUSING AGENCY RECEIVES YOUR REQUEST
FOR TENANCY APPROVAL,
THEY WILL SCHEDULE AN INSPECTION.
THE PERSON WORKING WITH YOU AT THE HOUSING AGENCY
CAN ADVISE YOU ABOUT HOW INSPECTIONS ARE SCHEDULED.
IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO BE PRESENT AT THE INSPECTION OF THE UNIT
SO YOU CAN SEE WHAT REPAIRS NEED TO BE MADE.
IF THE UNIT DOESN'T PASS INSPECTION,
THE OWNER CAN BE GIVEN TIME TO MAKE REPAIRS
AND THE UNIT RE-INSPECTED AFTER REPAIRS ARE COMPLETED.
IN ADDITION TO PASSING THE INSPECTION,
YOUR HOUSING AGENCY MUST ALSO MAKE SURE
THAT THE RENT THE OWNER IS CHARGING IS REASONABLE.
THE AGENCY DETERMINES THIS BY COMPARING THE RENT
FOR THE UNIT YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO RENTS CHARGED FOR SIMILAR UNITS
IN THE AREA THAT ARE NOT ON THE VOUCHER PROGRAM.
ONCE THE UNIT IS APPROVED,
YOU WILL SIGN A LEASE WITH THE OWNER.
YOUR HOUSING AGENCY WILL TELL YOU
WHEN THE UNIT HAS BEEN APPROVED
AND YOU CAN SIGN THE LEASE.
AFTER THE LEASE IS SIGNED,
THE OWNER WILL SIGN A CONTRACT WITH THE HOUSING AGENCY
AND THE AGENCY WILL BEGIN PAYING HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS
TO THE OWNER EACH MONTH.
IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU UNDERSTAND
HOW THE PAYMENT STANDARD WORKS.
YOU SHOULD FIND A COPY OF THE PAYMENT STANDARD SCHEDULE
FOR YOUR AGENCY IN YOUR BRIEFING PACKET.
THE PAYMENT STANDARD SCHEDULE IS BROKEN DOWN BY BEDROOM SIZE.
CIRCLE THE PAYMENT STANDARD THAT MATCHES YOUR VOUCHER SIZE.
THAT AMOUNT IS THE MAXIMUM YOUR AGENCY WILL PAY
FOR RENT AND UTILITIES.
THE AGENCY WANTS TO MAKE SURE YOUR RENT PAYMENTS
ARE AFFORDABLE TO YOU.
YOUR HOUSING REPRESENTATIVE WILL PROVIDE YOU
WITH MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS AFFORDABILITY LIMIT.
THERE IS ALSO INFORMATION ABOUT HOW YOUR PORTION OF THE RENT
IS CALCULATED IN YOUR BRIEFING PACKET.
THE HOUSING AGENCY WILL NOTIFY BOTH YOU AND THE OWNER
WHEN THE AMOUNT OF YOUR HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENT
AND THE AMOUNT OF RENT YOU PAY HAVE BEEN CALCULATED.
WHILE YOU ARE ON THE PROGRAM,
YOU WILL HAVE TO COMPLY WITH THE OWNER'S LEASE,
THE FAMILY OBLIGATIONS ON THE VOUCHER
AND THE HOUSING AGENCY'S POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.
THE HOUSING AGENCY WILL CONTACT YOU TO SCHEDULE A REEXAMINATION
ACCORDING TO THEIR SCHEDULE.
THEY WILL RE-VERIFY YOUR INCOME
AND CONFIRM WHO IS LIVING IN THE UNIT.
IF YOUR INCOME HAS CHANGED, YOUR RENT WILL BE ADJUSTED.
ABOUT THREE OR FOUR MONTHS PRIOR TO YOUR REEXAMINATION,
YOU WILL RECEIVE A WRITTEN NOTICE FROM THE HOUSING AGENCY.
WHEN YOUR REEXAMINATION IS CONDUCTED,
THE HOUSING AGENCY WILL VERIFY ALL OF THE INFORMATION
THAT YOU PROVIDE.
THE INFORMATION YOU PROVIDE WILL BE COMPARED TO A NATIONAL
DATABASE OF EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL SECURITY RECORDS
TO MAKE SURE THAT THE INFORMATION YOU PROVIDED
IS ACCURATE AND UP-TO- DATE.
PROVIDING FALSE OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION
MAY CAUSE YOU TO LOSE YOUR VOUCHER.
ONCE THE AGENCY COMPLETES YOUR REEXAMINATION,
THEY WILL DETERMINE YOUR SHARE OF THE RENT
FOR THE UPCOMING PERIOD
UNTIL YOUR NEXT SCHEDULED REEXAMINATION.
BOTH YOU AND THE OWNER WILL BE GIVEN A WRITTEN NOTICE
BEFORE ANY CHANGE IN YOUR RENT PAYMENT
OR THE HOUSING AGENCY'S PAYMENT TO THE OWNER GOES INTO EFFECT.
YOU ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO ALLOW THE HOUSING AGENCY TO CONDUCT
A FULL INSPECTION OF YOUR UNIT AT LEAST ANNUALLY.
THE AGENCY CONDUCTS THIS INSPECTION TO MAKE SURE
YOUR UNIT IS IN DECENT, SAFE, AND SANITARY CONDITION.
IF YOU CAN'T BE HOME FOR YOUR INSPECTION,
BE SURE TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR AN ADULT TO BE THERE
TO ALLOW THE INSPECTOR TO ENTER THE UNIT.
THIS IS REQUIRED FOR EVERYONE ON THE PROGRAM.
IF A FAMILY MEMBER MOVES OUT OF THE UNIT,
YOU MUST REPORT IT TO THE HOUSING AGENCY RIGHT AWAY.
ALSO, IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING HAVING SOMEONE MOVE
INTO YOUR UNIT,
YOU MUST FIRST LET THE HOUSING AGENCY KNOW,
ASK YOUR HOUSING AGENCY ABOUT THE MAXIMUM LENGTH OF TIME
YOUR GUESTS ARE ALLOWED TO STAY.
IF THE AMOUNT OF YOUR RENT CHANGES
BECAUSE OF A CHANGE IN YOUR INCOME,
BOTH YOU AND THE LANDLORD WILL RECEIVE
ADVANCE WRITTEN NOTIFICATION OF YOUR NEW RENT AMOUNT
AND THE DATE IT GOES INTO EFFECT.
THE LANDLORD MAY NOT INCREASE THE RENT FOR THE UNIT
DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF YOUR LEASE.
HOWEVER, AFTER THE FIRST YEAR,
THE LANDLORD MAY SUBMIT A REQUEST FOR A RENT INCREASE
TO YOUR HOUSING AGENCY.
ALL OWNER RENT INCREASES MUST BE APPROVED BY THE HOUSING AGENCY
BEFORE THEY GO INTO EFFECT.
IF THE OWNER ASKS YOU TO AGREE TO ANY CHANGES IN THE LEASE,
CONTACT THE HOUSING AGENCY TO FIND OUT WHAT TO DO.
ALSO, YOU SHOULD BE AWARE THAT FEDERAL LAW PROTECTS RENTERS
IN FORECLOSED PROPERTIES.
YOUR HOUSING AUTHORITY SHOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE YOU
WITH MORE INFORMATION ON YOUR RIGHTS
SHOULD FORECLOSURE AFFECT YOUR UNIT.
IF YOU DECIDE YOU WANT TO MOVE TO ANOTHER UNIT
AND CONTINUE RECEIVING HOUSING ASSISTANCE,
YOU MUST GIVE THE OWNER PROPER WRITTEN NOTICE
ACCORDING TO YOUR LEASE.
THIS IS USUALLY 30 DAYS,
BUT YOU'LL NEED TO CHECK YOUR LEASE TO BE CERTAIN.
YOU'RE ALSO REQUIRED TO GIVE A COPY OF THE NOTICE
TO THE HOUSING AGENCY.
THE PERSON WORKING WITH YOU AT THE HOUSING AGENCY WILL EXPLAIN
THE HOUSING AGENCY'S RULES AND PROCEDURES FOR MOVING.
IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT MOVING
OUTSIDE YOUR HOUSING AGENCY'S AREA,
TALK TO YOUR HOUSING AGENCY REPRESENTATIVE.
THIS IS CALLED PORTABILITY.
PORTABILITY PERMITS A FAMILY TO MOVE TO A NEW AREA
WITH CONTINUED VOUCHER ASSISTANCE.
YOUR BRIEFING PACKET SHOULD HAVE INFORMATION
ABOUT HOW PORTABILITY WORKS.
AT THE END OF THIS BRIEFING,
YOU WILL BE ASKED TO SIGN YOUR VOUCHER.
BY DOING SO, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES
AND OBLIGATIONS WHILE PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM.
THESE FAMILY OBLIGATIONS ARE LISTED ON YOUR VOUCHER,
AND THEY APPLY TO ALL FAMILIES ON THE PROGRAM.
THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF FAMILY OBLIGATIONS.
THE FIRST TYPE OF OBLIGATION INCLUDES THINGS YOU MUST DO.
FAMILIES ARE REQUIRED TO DO THE FOLLOWING
IN ORDER TO KEEP THEIR VOUCHER:
TELL THE TRUTH ABOUT WHO WILL BE LIVING IN THE UNIT
AND THE AMOUNT OF THEIR HOUSEHOLD INCOME.
...SUCH AS YOUR BIRTH CERTIFICATE OR PHOTO ID.
... AND DON'T DAMAGE THE UNIT BEYOND NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR.
...AT REASONABLE TIMES, AFTER REASONABLE NOTICE.
ONCE YOU ARE ADMITTED TO THE PROGRAM,
...AS YOUR FAMILY'S ONLY PLACE OF RESIDENCE.
IN ADDITION,
WHEN YOU GIVE INFORMATION TO THE HOUSING AGENCY,
THE SECOND TYPE OF FAMILY OBLIGATION INCLUDES THINGS
YOU MUST NOT DO.
YOU MUST NOT SERIOUSLY OR REPEATEDLY VIOLATE THE LEASE.
DO NOT SUBLET OR TRANSFER THE LEASE.
DO NOT USE ILLEGAL DRUGS OR GET INVOLVED IN ANY OTHER TYPE
OF ILLEGAL DRUG-RELATED ACTIVITY.
DO NOT COMMIT ANY VIOLENT CRIMINAL ACTS.
YOU MUST NOT ABUSE ALCOHOL IN A WAY THAT THREATENS
THE HEALTH, SAFETY, OR RIGHT TO PEACEFUL ENJOYMENT
OF THE PREMISES BY OTHER RESIDENTS.
IT'S IMPORTANT THAT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY UNDERSTAND
AND HONOR YOUR FAMILY OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE VOUCHER.
IF YOUR FAMILY FAILS TO ABIDE BY THESE FAMILY OBLIGATIONS,
YOUR ASSISTANCE MAY BE TERMINATED
AND YOU MAY NOT BE ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE ASSISTANCE.
HOUSING ASSISTANCE IS A PRIVILEGE,
AND SHOULD NOT BE ABUSED.
IF YOU'RE NOT SURE ABOUT THE RULES AND PROCEDURES,
CONTACT YOUR HOUSING AGENCY TO GET THE CORRECT INFORMATION.
NO ONE SHOULD BE EVICTED,
OR LOSE THEIR ASSISTANCE, UNNECESSARILY.
YOUR FAMILY OBLIGATIONS AND RULES OF THE PROGRAM
ARE INCLUDED IN YOUR BRIEFING PACKET.
KEEP ALL OF THE PROGRAM LITERATURE
YOU HAVE BEEN PROVIDED IN A SAFE PLACE WITH YOUR LEASE
SO YOU CAN REFER TO THEM IN THE FUTURE.
IN YOUR DEALINGS WITH THE PHA AND WITH OWNERS,
BE AWARE OF YOUR RIGHTS UNDER FEDERAL NONDISCRIMINATION LAWS.
KNOWN AS VAWA,
LEGAL SERVICES AND DISABILITY RIGHTS GROUPS OFTEN HELP
QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS FILE FAIR HOUSING COMPLAINTS
THROUGH THE LOCAL COURT SYSTEM AS WELL.
THERE IS INFORMATION IN YOUR PACKET
ABOUT HOW TO FILE A COMPLAINT.
ASK YOUR HOUSING REPRESENTATIVE IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS.
INFORMATION AND COOPERATION ARE THE KEY INGREDIENTS
TO ACHIEVING SUCCESS IN THE VOUCHER PROGRAM.
THE INFORMATION YOU HAVE RECEIVED TODAY
WILL HELP YOU SUCCEED IN CHOOSING SAFE, DECENT HOUSING
IN THE COMMUNITY THAT IS BEST FOR YOUR FAMILY.
YOU ARE ABOUT TO BECOME
ONE OF THE MORE THAN ONE MILLION FAMILIES WHO HAVE BEEN SERVED
BY THE HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM.
BY FOLLOWING THE PROGRAM RULES,
YOU WILL BE ABLE TO INCREASE YOUR HOUSING CHOICES
AT A PRICE YOU CAN AFFORD.
YOU'LL BE ABLE TO CHOOSE THE NEIGHBORHOOD
YOU WANT TO LIVE IN,
AND THE TYPE OF HOUSING THAT'S BEST FOR YOUR FAMILY,
WITH THE FEATURES THAT ARE MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU.
♪ MUSIC ♪
CAPTIONS PROVIDED BY: CAPTION SOLUTIONS, LLC WWW.CAPTIONSOLUTIONS.COM