Landlord Information
The Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV) was created in 1974 and is a three way partnership between the owner/agent, CHA, and the family. It is a tenant-based program which assists low income families rent safe, decent, and affordable housing in the private market by offering assistance payments directly to the owner on behalf of the family.
The subsidy remains with the family; it is not attached to the dwelling unit. The amount of subsidy is based on the family’s income.
Landlord Responsibilities
- Screen families who apply to determine their suitability as renters.
- Comply with fair housing laws.
- Maintain the housing unit by making necessary repairs in a timely manner and reporting their completion to CHA.
- Comply with the terms of the HAP Contract.
- Collect the rent due by the tenant and comply with and enforce the lease
FAQs: HCV Landlords
If you wish to become involved with the Housing Choice Voucher Program as a landlord, you must submit all the required documentation for proof of ownership. Please see the link “Landlord Information: Documents & Downloads”.
There is not a “pre-inspection” done by CHA for new landlords. Our program is tenant-based. CHA does not inspect any property until a program participant with a valid voucher chooses to rent the property. Therefore, the property inspection to be done by CHA is first initiated by the eligible voucher holder seeking a desirable place to live. The voucher holder must submit a completed ‘Request for Tenancy Approval (RTA).’ Other choices made by the voucher holder include: the location of the housing selected, the landlord, and the type of dwelling (single family, multi family, or manufactured housing).
In the Housing Choice Voucher Program, the participating family is responsible for the entire security deposit payment to the landlord.
Just as in the private market, the responsibilities for any unpaid tenant rent or any incurred damages to the unit would be the responsibility of the tenant. The landlord would have the same option to attempt recovery of monetary losses in court. CHA would not be liable.
For distribution of landlord Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) funds, CHA offers a highly efficient electronic direct deposit system that ensures timely payments into a landlord account of their choosing at the requested financial institution.