Section 8, also known as the Housing Choice Voucher program, is a rental assistance program for low-income households. Eligible applicants may receive a voucher to pay for part of their rent. These improvements are intended to make your experience smoother and to acknowledge participants who meet program requirements. Please find the updated packets below.
Annual Recertification Packet. Streamline Recertification Packet. Find out if you are eligible for Section 8 or another housing program with our Eligibility Checker:. According to HUD rules and regulations, local housing authorities may prioritize some applicants to reflect local housing needs and priorities. Everyone can apply for a voucher, but certain very low-income applicants will be given priority over others based on specific prioritization rules, listed below.
Effective for new tenancies beginning on or after November 1, , the SMHA has increased the Payment Standards to the following amounts:. Zip Code. Continuum of Care and supportive housing graduates also receive first priority, as do applicants who were terminated from the Section 8 program due to funding shortfalls.
What is the relationship between SMHA and a property owner? First, SMHA reviews the proposed rent to determine if the voucher household can afford the rent based on the household income, and conducts an inspection to ensure that the apartment complies with HUD's housing quality standards. The owner is responsible for collecting the tenant's portion of the monthly rent. The apartment is inspected to ensure that it continues to comply with HUD's housing quality standards.
Any rental housing in the City of Santa Monica may be eligible for the program single family houses, townhouses, or apartments , provided that the housing conforms to housing quality standards. Can a landlord refuse to accept a housing choice voucher? How is the Section 8 waitlist sorted? SMHA has a system of priorities in place, known as 'preferences'. Section 8 FAQs What determines the subsidy amount?
