Section 8 Rental Assistance Program

What is Section 8? The Section 8 Rental Assistance Program is a federally funded program administered by ACCORD Corporation. It provides housing assistance to eligible, low-income families. The program enables families to obtain decent, safe, and sanitary housing by subsidizing a portion of the tenant's monthly rent, based on the tenant's income. The subsidy is paid directly and promptly to the property owner or manager(s). Single family dwellings, apartment buildings, and mobile homes are eligible. The property owner retains normal management rights and responsibilities including tenant selection, rent collection, property maintenance, and lease termination.

Certification of Family Participation A Housing Choice Voucher is the tenant's identification as a participant in the Section 8 program and is issued at the time of enrollment. The voucher is valid for sixty (60) days after the date of issuance. The voucher is your "shopping ticket" to find adequate and affordable housing. Before the sixty (60) day period expires, a Request for Tenancy Approval must be executed by the tenant and the landlord and returned to ACCORD.

Eligible Housing Most types of rental housing may be leased under the Section 8 program. The program requires that units meet standards for decent, safe, and sanitary housing. Basically, these standards ensure the housing unit has:

  • Adequate living space
  • Adequate facilities and services
  • Adequate light and ventilation
  • Freedom from any condition which endangers the health and safety of the occupants

In addition, the rent must be reasonable and the housing unit suitable for the family.

You may feel your present housing unit meets all requirements for size, rent, and proper facilities, but it is important to remember that the landlord of the building must agree to enter into a contract with the Section 8 office for payment of the rent subsidy.

Is The Housing Unit Affordable? Look for housing that will fit your family. You should consider whether the housing unit is in good condition. Is the rent reasonable? Is the housing unit in a neighborhood where your family will be safe and comfortable? Will you be able to get the services you require? Is the housing unit close to public transportation, centers of employment, schools, and shopping? If you are responsible for the utilities, ask the landlord what the annual cost of the utilities are for that housing unit. Are the appliances included in the rent or do you have to purchase them? Are pets allowed?

Inspecting The Housing Unit The housing unit will be inspected by the Section 8 personnel. Some repairs may be necessary for the housing unit to meet Housing Quality Standards (HQS). If the landlord agrees to make these repairs, the contract can be signed upon their correction. Your Section 8 office will inspect the repairs.

If the housing unit fails HQS, the landlord will be informed of any deficiencies and given a time period for making the noted repairs. The landlord may correct the failed items or choose not to participate in the program. If the landlord chooses not to participate in the Section 8 Rental Program, you will have to find another housing unit or be removed from the Section 8 Program.

Leasing the Housing Unit After you have decided where you want to live, the housing unit has passed inspection, and the rent has been determined reasonable, the next step is to agree to lease terms with the landlord. We will review the lease to be certain it complies with Federal, State, and Local laws and regulations.

  • The initial term of the lease must be for at least one (1) year.
  • Section 8 DOES NOT provide the tenant with a security deposit. This is the tenant's responsibility.

Once the lease has been approved, the Section 8 office will sign a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Contract with the landlord to cover the difference between the contract rent for the housing unit and the portio nof the rent being paid directly by the tenant. The portion of the rent paid by the tenant will vary based upon income.

Compliance With the Lease All participants are responsible to live up to the requirements of the lease they sign. Be sure to pay your share of the rent to your landlord each month, keep the noise level down, do not damage the housing unit, stay in the housing unit for the initial year of the lease, and carry out all other responsibilities.

If you violate your lease, your participation in the program may be terminated and/or you may be evicted. PLEASE READ YOUR LEASE CAREFULLY.

You should pay your landlord ONLY the amount of the rent stated in your lease. No other payments should be made to the landlord. If you are requested to make any other payments, please contact your Section 8 office immediately.

Recertification Section 8 participants must be recertified annually. You will be notified in writing for an appointment to be recertified approximately three (3) months prior to your anniversary date. At that time, your Section 8 office will verify your income and family size.

As your income increases, your portion of the rent will increase. If your income decreases, your portion of the rent will also decrease. If your income increases to the point where your portion of the rent is equal to the rent, HAP payments will stop. However, you may remain on the program for up to six (6) months after discontinuation of HAP payments. If your income drops again before the end of the six (6) months, the HAP payment may resume.

Annual Inspections An inspector from your Section 8 office is required to inspect your housing unit at least once a year to determine if it is in good condition. You can also request special inspections, in between annual inspections, if you are having problems in your housing unit that your landlord is not repairing.

Dealing With Discrimination Discrimination is against the law. Discrimination means that you are being treated differently than someone else because of your race, sex, age, religion, color, handicap, family status, or national origin. In housing, discrimination generally involves:

  • Denial of the right to choose the housing you want;
  • Being forced to accept conditions in occupying a housing unit which other people do not have to accept (for example, paying higher security deposits)

If you feel you have been discriminated against in your search for housing under this program, please call your Section 8 representative. We will provide any assistance we can, and help you complete and submit a Housing Discrimination Complaint Form to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. We will also refer you to community equal opportunity groups for further assistance.

To speak with a program representative or to set up an appointment, please contact:

Belfast ACCESS Center
Edna Elling, Services Navigator
44 Main Street
(585) 365-2157
TDD (800) 877-8339
Email the Belfast ACCESS Center

Belmont ACCESS Center
Sylvia McComb, Services Navigator
84 Schuyler St
(585) 268-7605
TDD (800) 877-8339
Email the Belmont ACCESS Center

Bolivar ACCESS Center
Theresa Carl, Services Navigator
71 Boss Street
(585) 928-1471
TDD (800) 877-8339
Email the Bolivar ACCESS Center

Wellsville ACCESS Center
Theresa Roeske, Services Navigator
289 North Main St
(585) 593-6106
TDD (800) 877-8339
Email the Wellsville ACCESS Center