Section 8 Rental Assistance FAQ
A priority of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is to broaden housing choices for low-income families. With the implementation of the Section 8 Program in 1976, certificate and voucher holders were encouraged to move to an area outside minority and poverty concentration. Mobility or portability was further expanded with the Section 8 Conforming Rule that was effective Oct. 2, 1995.
Housing Choice Voucher holders can use the voucher to rent available units. To move outside the city limits of Knoxville, the portability feature applies.
Participants with Housing Choice Vouchers have the HUD statutory right to lease an eligible unit anywhere in the United States with a governing voucher program (portability feature). Also, an applicant receiving a new voucher who lived in KCDC’s jurisdiction when he/she applied for rental assistance, has the statutory right to move under these same conditions.
If participants decide to move, they must inform KCDC of the area to which they wish to relocate. KCDC will determine if the housing agency in the new area administers a voucher program. KCDC will notify the housing agency to determine proper procedures and provide information and guidance to the participant to expedite the process.
Reasons for Relocating
- Safety: Move from a high-crime area
- Education: Better schools and educational opportunities
- Employment: Closer to job opportunities
- Medical: Closer to medical facilities
- Family Support: Closer to family members living out of town
- Transportation: Closer to bus lines or other public services
The portability feature enables participants to select the neighborhood, community, city or state of their preference. KCDC recognizes that moving is part of life, and staff are trained to help with this process. A copy of United States Housing Agencies is available upon request.
Facts to Consider If You Plan to Move
- The new housing agency’s payment standard is applicable.
- The new housing agency’s occupancy standards may change the bedroom size of your voucher.
- The new housing agency has the right to screen for criminal activity.
- You should manage the move so you have enough time to arrive and complete the voucher transition with the housing agency before your voucher expires, otherwise you may lose your assistance.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development uses fair market rents to determine a voucher payment standard, which determines how much housing assistance payments should be paid monthly through Housing Choice Vouchers for a particular community and bedroom size.
The monthly housing assistance is the difference between the payment standard and 30 percent of the monthly adjusted family income. In determining the initial housing assistance payment for the family, KCDC will use the payment standard in effect on the date the lease is approved. The family may choose to rent a unit for more or less than the payment standard, but the choice may not require the family to pay more than 40 percent of their monthly adjusted family income.
Click here for a current list of Fair Market Rents and Income Limits
Visit our Participant Portal to view the status of the waiting list and your application.
Visit our Participant Portal to view the status of the waiting list and your application. Due to the high volume of households who are currently on our waiting list, we cannot provide individual updates. Once you have applied, you will not be contacted by our office until your name reaches the top of the waiting list. This will not be immediate, as we have a lengthy waiting list.
Click the link below to view the KCDC Recertification tenant information packet.
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