Thank you for visiting the MHA Housing Choice Voucher Program. The MHA Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV), formerly known as Section 8, is the federal government’s major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and disabled to obtain decent, safe and affordable housing in the private market.
Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses and apartments.
The participant is free to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program and is not limited to units located in MHA’s subsidized housing communities.
MHA currently administers 215 Housing Choice Vouchers. A family that is issued a housing choice voucher is responsible for finding a suitable dwelling unit where a qualified owner agrees to rent under the HCV program.
Currently MHA’s HCV wait list is closed and we will not be accepting applications until further notice. The opening of the wait list will be posted in the Meridian Star newspaper.
HCV Frequently Asked Questions:
What is the Housing Choice Voucher Program?
The Housing Choice Voucher program is a federal rent subsidy that assists low-income households with monthly rental payments.
How does the HCV program work?
The authority receives and administers funds from the US Department of Housing and Development (HUD) and distributes the funds in the form of Housing Choices Vouchers to eligible families and individuals. A voucher allows program participants to rent housing that meets their needs at an affordable rate.
How does an HCV voucher work?
All eligible families are required to pay at least 30% (but no more than 40% initially) of their monthly-adjusted income towards rent directly to the landlord. The Meridian Housing Authority pays the landlord the difference between the (contract rent) and the tenant’s portion. The tenant must find housing within 120 days or risk losing the voucher.
How is an eligible HCV program participant selected?
The Meridian Housing Authority reviews the eligibility of the participants based on household income and family composition. The landlord is responsible for screening the occupants for the rental units and must follow federal, state and local equal opportunity laws.
Does the landlord’s property require inspection?
Yes. When you submit the request for tenancy approval, you will also request that a Housing Quality Standard (HQS) inspection be performed. This inspection is required to ascertain that the unit meets HQS standards set by HUD and the Meridian Housing Authority before HUD subsidy can be distributed. If there are any “failed items” discovered during the inspection, you will be notified in writing. You will be given a deadline to make the repairs. The HUD funds (subsidy) will not begin until the unit meets all of the HQS requirements and retroactive payments may be made for the time period before the unit passes inspection.
When can a landlord expect to receive full rent for the HCV unit?
Once the unit has passed the HQS inspection, the final steps will be the signing of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Contract. Upon review of the case documents, you will receive a contract from MHA stating the amount the tenant will need to pay and the amount MHA will pay. The owner must provide a copy of the signed lease and must attach the HCV addendum to the appropriate lease. The participant is expected to pay his or her portion of the rent to the landlord by the first of each month as stated n the lease. MHA’s portion of the rent will be sent directly to the landlord during the first week of each month.
