HCV Program
Getting Started
The BHA’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program allows low-income families to rent quality housing in the private market via federal funds provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Through the HCV Program, BHA pays a portion of eligible families’ rent each month directly to the landlord. Families can use their vouchers to rent a house or apartment in the private market throughout Monroe County. Because there are more families who need rental assistance than there are funds available, BHA uses a waiting list to administer the program to eligible families.
How It Works
The following steps summarize the process to become a HCV participant:
- Apply by submitting pre-application
- Upon selection from waiting list, complete full application
- Attend a voucher briefing
- Select a rental unit with your voucher
- Await inspection results
- Sign the lease
- Move in, pay rent and utilities
- Comply with HUD and BHA’s rules and regulations
Roles
Resident's Obligations
While participating in the HCV program, tenants must follow obligations such as:
- Comply with the lease agreement and HCV Program requirements
- Pay their portion of rent to the landlord on time
- Notify BHA of any changes in family income or family composition
- Not allow unauthorized individuals to occupy the assisted unit without permission from both the BHA and the landlord.
Landlord's Obligations
- Perform all management and rental functions, including selecting a voucher-holder to lease the unit, and deciding if the family is suitable for tenancy of the unit.
- Enforce tenant obligations under the dwelling lease
- Maintain the unit in accordance with Housing Quality Standards (HQS)
- Pay for any utilities and services that are not the responsibility of the family as specified by the lease agreement and Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) Contract
- Comply with all obligations under the Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) Contract
- Comply with fair housing and equal opportunity requirements
- Prepare and provide to BHA information required under the HAP Contract
- Provide the BHA with a copy of your tenant’s lease annually. The lease must run concurrently with the dates on the HAP contract.
- Notify BHA of any lease violation notices
- Notify BHA if eviction is filed within 10 days of filing
BHA's Obligations
- Administer the program in accordance with HUD regulation and local policy
- Determine family eligibility for HCV Program participation
- Make timely Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) to the landlord
- Reexamine the family’s income and composition at least annually
- Inspect each dwelling unit at least biennially to ensure that it meets the Housing Quality Standards (HQS)
Waiting List
When a family wishes to receive assistance, the family must submit an application when the waiting list is open. Generally, when a voucher becomes available, the next family at the top of the waiting list is contacted and screened for eligibility. The HCV waiting list is not first-come, first-served. The list is ordered and ranked by preference points which the family must verify. The BHA has established the preference point system to quickly serve within our jurisdiction the most vulnerable populations.
| Preference | Point Value |
|---|---|
| Monroe County Resident | 4 points |
| Resident of Surrounding County: Owen, Brown, Greene, Lawrence, Morgan | 3 points |
| Head of Household and Spouse, or Sole Member, is Either Elderly or Disabled | 2 points |
| Any Member of Household is Disabled | 1 point |
| Current Victim of Domestic Violence | 2 points |
| Current Member or Veteran of U.S. Military, or Surviving Spouse of a Veteran | 1 point |
| Working 35 Hours or More Per Week | 2 points |
| Working 20 to 34 Hours Per Week | 1 point |
Eligibility
Applicant families must meet the following requirements:
- Meet HUD’s definition of family
- Meet income limits specified by HUD
- Qualify on the basis of citizenship or the eligible immigrant status
- Provide social security number information
- Sign required consent forms
- Pass screening process
Portability
BHA is currently absorbing all port-ins. An eligible family that has been issued a housing choice voucher may use that voucher to lease a unit anywhere in the United States where there is a housing agency operating a HCV program. This feature of the program is referred to as portability. BHA’s HCV program allows for families with a voucher from another housing authority to transfer their voucher to Bloomington. This process is called “porting in” to BHA. The process of transferring a voucher from one city to another varies, depending on a number of factors.
How to Apply
Applications for the HCV Program (Section 8) can be submitted online when the waitlist is open. Check the status of the HCV application and waitlist by clicking here. We ask that you read the application process instructions before submitting an application. Applications with missing or falsified information may be denied.
If you are a person with disabilities and require a reasonable accommodation in order to fully access BHA’s programs and services, please contact us at 812.339.3491.
The Bloomington Housing Authority does not provide immediate emergency housing. Call the Indiana 2-1-1 hotline or view the City’s Resource Directory to learn about emergency shelter options in the greater Bloomington community.
When a waitlist is open, interested applicant may apply. To check the status of program waitlists, click here.
Residents can learn more about services and programs available by visiting the Resident Services webpage or by contacting the Administrative Director, at 812-339-3491 x 115 or lgordon@blha.net.