What is the Section 8 Program?
The Section 8 Program is a program funded by Congress and the President and under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and administered by the Housing Authority of the County of Butler to provide decent, safe and sanitary affordable rental housing for very low income families. The Housing Authority (HA) assists these families by paying a portion of the contract rent to the landlord and the family pays a portion of the rent to the landlord. The family pays approximately 30 percent of their monthly income as their share of the rent.

Who is eligible for Section 8?
Families with income that is 50 percent or less of the median income for the area qualify as very low income families. An eligible family can be a single person household, elderly or disabled, as well as families of two or more.

What does the landlord need to do?
The landlord must attract a family that has already been determined as eligible and has been issued a Voucher by the Housing Authority. The landlord is responsible to screen the family for suitability as a tenant, just as they would any prospective tenant. If the landlord decides to rent to the family, a Request for Tenancy Approval (RTFA) is completed and submitted to the HA. Eligible families are given the RLA at the time they are issued a Voucher. The HA schedules an inspection of the rental unit within 15 days of receiving RLA. If the unit meets HUD Housing Quality Standards and the rent amount is approvable by standards set by HUD, the lease is signed by the landlord and tenant and the contract is signed by the HA representative and the landlord.

The landlord is expected to collect a security deposit and the family's share of the rent. The landlord is expected to maintain the property's overall condition and see that the basic plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling systems, etc. are functioning properly. Should the family violate the terms of the lease or fail to pay the rent, the landlord would evict the family through the normal court eviction procedure and send the HA copies of any notices that the tenant is served so we can respond properly.

The HA will mail a check to the landlord on the first business day of each month for the HA portion of the rent.

What does the family need to do?
The participating family is responsible to pay the rent and the utilities for which they are obligated under the lease. They are also responsible to follow all the terms of the lease. The family is responsible for normal housekeeping maintenance of the rental unit. Serious or repeated lease violations can result in the termination of housing assistance under the federal regulations. If the family damages the rental unit beyond normal wear and tear, they are responsible to pay for the damages. Damaging the unit will also result in the termination of a family's assistance. The landlord must collect these amounts through the local court system.

What are the rent limits?
The Section 8 Fair Market Rents are published in the Federal Register each year and are effective each October 1. The rent amounts include all utilities. If the tenant will be paying all or some of the utilities, the rent amount should be reduced

Families may pay slightly more rent with a voucher, but they may not pay more than 40 percent of their income toward rent and utilities. The Housing Authority determines the maximum allowable payment to the owner. This amount cannot be increased even if the rent exceeds the payment standard. Voucher rents must also be certified as reasonable in comparison to unassisted market rents in the area.