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NOTICE: We will OPEN the Housing Choice Voucher Waiting list on Monday, December 9, 2019, to accept applications from income-eligible families for the Housing Choice Voucher Program.

Applications may be picked up in the LRHA lobby during normal business hours or it can be downloaded HERE.

Completed applications will be accepted Monday and Wednesday, 9:00 am-6:00 pm, Tuesday and Thursday between 7:30 am - 4:00 pm, and Friday 9:00 am-4:00 pm at 918 Commerce St., Lynchburg, VA. 

The Waiting List will CLOSE on Wednesday, December 18, 2019, at 3:00 pm.

Please call (434) 485-7200 if you have any questions.

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Over the past forty years, the Authority has conducted a variety of neighborhood improvement programs in conjunction with the City of Lynchburg and both private for-profit and non-profit housing groups.

The Authority's partnerships with non-profit housing groups have included Lynchburg Covenant Fellowship, which resulted in the construction of 18 single family homes for first-time home buyers and Greater Lynchburg Habitat for Humanity to whom the Authority donated several building sites for new homes.

HCV Program Basics

The purpose of the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program is to provide rental assistance to eligible families. The rules and regulations of the HCV program are determined by the US. Department of Housing and Urban Development the LRHA is afforded choices in the operation of the program which are included in the LRHA’S administrative plan, a document approved by the board of commissioners.

The HCV program offers mobility to eligible families because they may search for suitable housing anywhere in the City of Lynchburg and may also be eligible to move under portabilityto other LRHA’s' jurisdictions.

When funding is available, and the LRHA issues the family a housing voucher; When the family finds a suitable housing unit LRHA will enter into a contract with the owner and the family will enter into a lease with the LRHA. Each party makes their respective payment to the owner so that the owner receives full rent.

Even though the family is determined to be eligible for the program, the owner has the responsibility of approving the family as a suitable renter. The LRHA continues to make payments to the owner as long as the family is eligible and the housing unit continues to qualify under the program.

The HCV Partnerships

To administer the HCV program, the LRHA enters into a contractual relationship with HUD (Consolidated Annual Contributions Contract). The LRHA also enters into contractual relationships with the assisted family and the owner or landlord of the housing unit. For the HCV program to work and be successful, all parties involved - HUD, the LRHA, the owner, and the family - have important roles to play. The roles and responsibilities of all parties are defined in federal regulations and in legal documents that parties execute to participate in the program.

HCV Basics

  • What does HUD do? +

    HUD has the following major responsibilities:
    • Develop regulations, requirements, handbooks, notices and other guidance to implement HCV housing program legislation passed by Congress;
    • Allocate HCV program funds to LRHAs;
    • Provide technical assistance to LRHAs on interpreting and applying HCV program requirements;
    • Monitor LRHA compliance with HCV program requirements and LRHA performance in program administration.

  • What does the LRHA do? +

    The LRHA administers the HCV program under contract with BUD and has the following major responsibilities:
    • Establish local policies to administer the program; Review applications from interested applicants to determine whether they are-eligible for the program;
    • Maintain a waiting list and select families for admission; Issue vouchers to eligible families and provide information on how to lease a unit;
    • Conduct outreach to owners, with special attention to owners outside areas of poverty or minority concentration;
    • Approve the rental unit (including assuring compliance with housing quality standards and rent reasonableness), the owner, and the tenancy; Make housing assistance payments to the owner in a timely manner;
    • Recertify families for continued eligibility under the program;
    • Ensure that owners and families comply with their contractual obligations;
    • Provide families and owners with prompt, professional service;
    • Comply with all fair housing and equal opportunity requirements, BUD regulations and requirements, the Annual Contributions Contract, BUD-approved applications for funding, the LRHA’s administrative plan, and other applicable federal, state and local laws.

  • What does the owner do? +

    The owner has the following major responsibilities:
    • Screen families who apply for tenancy, to determine suitability as renters. The LRHA can provide some information to the owner, but the primary responsibility for tenant screening rests with the owner. The owner should consider family background factors such as rent and bill-paying history, history of caring for property, respecting the rights of others to peaceful enjoyment of the property, compliance with essential conditions of tenancy, whether the family is engaging in drug-related criminal activity or other criminal activity that might threaten others.
    • Comply with the terms of the Housing Assistance Payments contract executed with the LRHA;
    • Comply with all applicable fair housing laws and do not discriminate against anyone;
    • Maintain the housing unit in accordance with Housing Quality Standards (HQS) and make necessary repairs in a timely manner;
    • Collect rent due from the assisted family and otherwise comply with and enforce provisions of the dwelling lease.

  • What does the family do? +

    The family has the following responsibilities:
    • Provide the LRHA with complete and accurate information as determined by the LRHA to be necessary for administration of the program;
    • Make their best and most timely efforts to locate qualified and suitable housing;
    • Attend all appointments scheduled by the LRHA;
    • Allow the LRHA to inspect the unit at reasonable times and after reasonable notice;
    • Take responsibility for care of the housing unit, including any violations of housing quality standards caused by the family;
    • Comply with the terms of the lease with the owner;
    • Comply with the family obligations of the voucher;
    • Not commit serious or repeated violations of the lease;
    • Not engage in drug-related or violent criminal activity;
    • Notify the LRHA and the owner before moving or terminating the lease;
    • Use the assisted unit only for residence and as the sole residence of the family. Not sublet the unit, assign the lease, or have any interest in the unit;
    • Promptly notify the LRHA of any changes in family composition;
    • Not commit fraud, bribery, or any other corrupt or criminal act in connection with any housing programs.

  • Applicable Regulations +

    Applicable regulations include:
    • 24 CFR Part 5: General Program Requirements
    • 24 CFR Part 8: Nondiscrimination
    • 24 CFR Part 35: Lead-Based Paint
    • 24 CFR Part 982: Section 8 Tenant-Based Assistance: Housing Choice Voucher Program
    • 24 CFRPart 983: Project-Based Vouchers
    • 24 CFR Part 985: The Section 8 Management Assessment Program (SEMAP)
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HCV FAQ's

  • What number am I on the waiting list? +

    You may use your tenant number to determine your position on the waiting list. The waiting list is posted on the website, and in the office lobby, the first business day of each month.

     

    HCV Waiting List

  • If I give up my voucher can you reinstate it at a later date? +

    No. If you give up or lose your voucher, you must reapply for the program when the waiting list is open for applications.

  • Can I give my voucher to someone else? +

    No. A voucher is not giftable.

  • When will my landlord get a HAP payment? +

    Once the move in process is executed a HAP check will be processed the 1st of the following month.

  • When will I receive my utility allowance check? +

    No. Utility allowance checks are mailed to the participant, they are sent directly to AEP. Participants should be sure to notify their HCV Technician, if there is any change in their utility account

  • How long does it take for an inspection? +

    Once we receive the Request for Tenancy Approval the inspector has 15 business days to schedule the inspection.

  • How do I make household composition or income changes? +

    All changes must be submitted in writing. A change form is available for pick up or can be printed from the website. The change form should be completed and dropped off in person or mailed to the office. Documentation for the change must be provided with the change form.

  • What is the procedure for moving? +

    Contact your HCV Technician to discuss your moving time line. When you are ready to move, a voucher will be issued, (Good for 60 days), you will be given a Request for Tenancy Approval form for the new owner to complete and you will need to give proper notice to your current landlord with a copy to the Housing Authority.
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Housing Quality Standards (HQS) FAQ's

  • What is the purpose of Housing Quality Standards? +

    The goal of the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program is to provide “decent, safe andsanitary” housing at an affordable cost to low-income families. Housing Quality Standardshelp HUD and local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) accomplish that goal by defining“standard housing” and establishing the minimum quality criteria necessary for the healthand safety of program participants. All HCV housing units must meet these housing qualitystandards in order to participate in the HCV program.

  • What are the 13 key aspects of housing quality covered by performance requirements and acceptability criteria in the HQS? +

    The 13 key aspects of housing quality covered by the HQS include:

    • Sanitary facilities;

    • Food preparation and refusedisposal;

    • Space and security;

    • Thermal environment;

    • Illumination and electricity;

    • Structure and materials;

    • Interior air quality;

    • Water supply;

    • Lead-based paint;

    • Access;

    • Site and neighborhood;

    • Sanitary condition; and

    • Smoke Detectors

  • How are Housing Quality Standards enforced? +

    HQS inspections are conducted by PHA staff and contractors to ensure that potential and current HCV housing units meet the minimum performance and acceptability criteria for each of the 13 key housing quality aspects.

  • When do HQS inspections occur? +

    HQS inspections come in three different varieties. Initial Inspections occur when a voucher holder indicates to their PHA that they desire to lease a specific housing unit. The unit must pass the initial inspection before the execution of the assisted lease and housing assistance payments (HAP)contract and the initiation of payments. Annual Inspections occur once a year on housing units that are currently under lease by an HCV participant family. Annual inspections ensure that HCV housing units continue to meet HQS throughout the tenancy of the HCV participant family. Special Inspections may be complaint inspections or quality control inspections. Complaint inspections occur when a tenant, owner,or member of the public complains about the condition of an HCV housing unit. Quality control inspections examine a sample of housing units within a give PHA’s jurisdiction each year and occur throughout the year.

  • Where can I read more about Housing Quality Standards? +

    Please see Chapter 10 of the Housing Choice Voucher Program Guidebook for more information on HQS.

  • What regulations cover Housing Quality Standards? +

    Regulations are found at 24 CFR 982.
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