Our Programs

VOUCHERS

Vouchers help pay for a portion of a tenant’s rent and utilities by paying the landlord directly. The tenant pays the difference between the voucher and the total rent. Whereas Housing Choice and Special Purpose vouchers are linked to an individual, allowing a participant to utilize the rental assistance at any qualifying market rent apartment in the private rental market, Project-Based Vouchers are tied to a participating property. Voucher types include Housing Choice, Special Purpose and Project-Based.

Voucher Types

FAMILY SELF-SUFFICIENCY (FSS) PROGRAM

The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program assists participants in achieving greater economic independence and self-sufficiency through mentorship to assist and incentivize KCDC voucher holders in gaining or improving their employment and earned income. An assigned case manager helps participants develop and reach training, education and employment goals. The participant and the FSS case manager meet regularly to ensure participants are working to meet their goals. For every program participant, when there is an increase in earned income, KCDC establishes an interest-bearing bank account; deposits are made based on increases in earned income of the participant. Upon completion of all program requirements, the amount in the account is paid to the participant.

A participant must be a leased Housing Choice Voucher participant with a desire to gain suitable employment within a five-year period. Each participant will be required to develop an individual training and services plan and comply with the family obligations under the Housing Choice Voucher Program. If you are interested in FSS and you are a current voucher holder, please contact the FSS Specialist at [email protected] or 865- 403-1234, Ext. 1273.

Learn more

HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAM

The Homeownership Program allows participants to use Section 8 vouchers to work towards owning their home. The program supplements payments toward a 15- to 20-year mortgage. First-time home buyer participants must have a Section 8 rental voucher; be employed for at least one year at a qualifying income level or receive disability benefits; not be in debt with a housing agency; complete home education training; and have a good credit score and adequate savings.

If you are interested in the Homeownership Program, please contact the Special Programs Administrator at [email protected] or 865-403-1234, Ext. 1228.

Do I qualify?

Participation for at least one year in Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program
Employed at least one year (Elderly and disabled exempt from employment requirement)
Income of at least $14,500 per year excluding public assistance (Disabled exempt)
First-time homebuyers
Not in debt with KCDC or any other housing agency
Never defaulted on a mortgage under the homeownership program
Cooperative members who have already acquired shares
Those already holding a lease/purchase agreement – Contact Us

Check in with Homeownership Program participant success stories. Participants in the Housing Choice Voucher program or HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Voucher (HUD-VASH) program may be eligible for the KCDC Homeownership Program. The program allows participants to use their voucher to supplement mortgage payments.

Success Stories

MOVING TO WORK (MTW)

Moving to Work (MTW) is a demonstration program for public housing authorities (PHAs) that provides them the opportunity to design and test innovative, locally designed strategies that use Federal dollars more efficiently, help residents find employment and become self-sufficient, and increase housing choices for low-income families. MTW allows PHAs exemptions from many existing public housing and voucher rules and provides funding flexibility with how they use their federal funds. PHAs in the MTW demonstration have pioneered a number of innovative policy interventions that have been proven to be successful at the local level, and subsequently rolled out to the rest of the country's PHAs.

HUD Website

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