HCV Program (Section 8)

Housing Choice Voucher Program

312 Gifford Street, 9th Floor Syracuse, NY 13204

(315) 470-4400

Fax (315) 470-4436

HCV Staff Contact Info

 

OUR WAITLIST IS CURRENTLY CLOSED

Contact Section 8
REGISTER FOR THE WAITLIST & FAQ
Homeownership Program
Frequently Asked Questions
Porting
Payment Standard
Participants / Voucher Holders
Landlords
HCV FORMS
Rental Listings
Income Limits

Important Program Updates

Dear SHA Applicants, Participants and Landlords,
The Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) is conducting business as usual and the HCVP staff will be working remotely to meet the needs of our community. The department has implemented the following changes:

Submission of Request for Tenancy Approval for New Admissions and Movers

All Request for Tenancy Approval Packets will need to be submitted by

E-mail:

  • lhamilton@syrhousing.org

Drop-box:

  • located outside of the Section 8 Entrance

Mail:

  • 312 Gifford St. 9th floor, Syracuse, NY 13205

*For faster service e-mail is the best way for submission

All HAP Contracts will be sent via e-mail to owners/landlords for e-signatures, unless otherwise requested.

All vouchers will be extended upon request.

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Inspections

Due to COVID-19 a temporary waiver for Housing Quality Standard Inspections have been provided. Please note this process may change at any time without prior notice and an inspection will be required to be completed at a future date.

A Housing Quality Standard Inspection Self-Certification form will need to be completed. This document certifies that in good faith the owner/landlord believes the unit would pass an in-person HQS Inspection and has no reasonable basis or knowledge that life-threatening conditions exist in the unit. We will be completing some Housing Quality Standard Inspections by video or other online streaming services. Our inspectors will continue to address emergency health and safety inspections.

Interim Recertifications

No Federal Stimulus money will be counted in your gross income, which includes additional money from unemployment. Your regular amount of NYS unemployment will be included. All request for decreases in income needs to be submitted to this office along with the proof. *For faster service, please e-mail your request and proof to your Housing Specialist.

Annual Recertifications

Due to COVID-19 a temporary waiver for Annual Recertifications have been put in place to protect families from penalty for submission of late paperwork.

The Annual Recertification process may be delayed due to the pandemic.

All Annual recertifications may be conducted via e-mail to ensure the health and safety of our participants and staff, unless the participant cannot communicate via e-mail.

SHA apologizes for any inconvenience our changes may have caused, so please be patient with us as we try to limit disruptions in support of our families and business partners.

Thank you.
HCVP Management

why choose us

Housing Choice Vouchers

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program is a federally funded program administered by local public housing agencies. The HCV program enables families to obtain decent, safe, and sanitary housing by subsidizing a portion of each tenant’s monthly rent and paying it directly and promptly to the property owner.

Leonard Buildings 3
Any type of private rental housing is eligible. Single family dwellings, duplex units, row houses, manufactured homes, high rise buildings and townhouses are eligible. Paperwork is minimal and the owner retains normal management rights and responsibilities, including tenant selection, rent collection, property maintenance, and lease termination.

A family receiving a voucher from SHA may use it in the City of Syracuse and surrounding communities. In addition, the family may be able to use the portability feature of the HCV program and move anywhere in the country.

The Syracuse Housing Authority currently serves over 3000 families through the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. Annually, SHA provides approximately $20 million in Section 8 rental assistance to the greater-Syracuse area.

Applicants

OUR WAITING LIST IS CURRENTLY CLOSED.
Please be advised that in order to be eligible for the program, you must meet the income requirements.

  • Housing Choice Voucher Types
  • Tenant-Based Housing Choice Voucher
  • Project-Based Vouchers
  • Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH)
  • Mainstream Vouchers
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Tenant-Based Housing Choice Vouchers

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher is a federally funded program administered by SHA. The HCV program enables families to obtain decent, safe, and sanitary housing by subsidizing a portion of each tenant’s monthly rent.

When an eligible applicant is selected from the wait list, they will be offered a voucher. Voucher participants must look for housing that is in good condition so that it will pass the Housing Quality Standards inspection and meet rent reasonableness standards. If approved, the Section 8 family will pay a percentage (generally, 30%) of its monthly income for shelter (rent plus utilities) and SHA pays the difference directly to the owner of the unit.

Under this program:

  • A family that is issued a housing choice voucher is responsible for finding a suitable housing unit of the family’s choice where the owner agrees to rent under the program. This unit may include the family’s present residence.
  • Participants must be prepared to pay a security deposit.
  • Property taxes must be current at that location.
  • The rent must be reasonable in comparison to similar units.
  • The Voucher participant and the Landlord have to sign a lease.
  • The Landlord and SHA must sign a Housing Assistance Payment Contract.
  • If the Voucher participant’s income or family composition changes, they must report it to SHA within 30 days and their portion of the rent will be adjusted.
  • Participants may not rent from close relatives unless the unit would provide reasonable accommodation for a disabled family member.

Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH)Vouchers:

The HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing vouchers combines Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance for homeless Veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veteran Affairs.

Mainstream Vouchers

Mainstream vouchers enable families having a non-elderly person with disabilities to lease affordable private housing of their choice. Mainstream vouchers also assist non-elderly persons with disabilities who often face difficulties in locating suitable and accessible housing in the private market. The Mainstream Vouchers are only for eligible non-elderly persons with disabilities and their families who are currently experiencing homelessness, at risk of experiencing homelessness, transitioning out of institutional or other segregated setting or at risk of institutionalization.

Housing Choice Voucher Programs

The Family Self-Sufficiency Advantage Program
Homeownership Program

Participants FAQ

How does a family obtain a Section 8 housing choice voucher?

Interested families should complete an Application for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program to have their name placed on the waiting list. There are no provisions for emergency housing. As subsidies become available, families will be contacted in order from the waiting list by their preference and date of application based on Section 8 HCV guidelines.

What happens when a family is selected off the waiting list?

When a family comes to the top of the waiting list, they will be invited to complete a full application which will include the household composition, income and criminal background checks for all adults. Assuming that all guidelines are met, a voucher will be issued. The family will be given at least 60 days, but no more than 120 days to find a suitable unit.

Where can the Section 8 housing choice voucher be used?

The SHA HCV Program (Section 8) administers vouchers for the City of Syracuse and surrounding communities. The landlord must be willing to sign a Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) Contract with the HCV program, and the unit selected must pass the SHA Housing Quality Standards Inspection. The rent for the unit must be reasonable compared to other units that are similar in the area. The subsidy can be used at the family’s present unit, given that all guidelines are met. A family cannot rent from a close relative, unless, because of a disability, it is considered a reasonable accommodation.

There are also provisions which allow a family to use their subsidy anywhere in the United States (including Puerto Rico). This is called portability. SHA must be contacted before transferring your subsidy to another area.

The SHA HCV Program (Section 8) encourages participants to consider locating units outside of high poverty areas. Tenants should consider where they might find better housing, schools, shopping, and job opportunities.

How is rent assistance provided?

SHA calculates the amount of assistance each family receives. The level of assistance is based on family size and income. A family is expected to pay approximately 30% of its income towards rent. When a family finds a unit and signs a lease, SHA will sign a HAP Contract with the owner. Each month, SHA will make housing assistance payments directly to the owner. These payments are guaranteed monthly income to the owner as long as program requirements are met.

What are the obligations of the family?

When a family’s unit is approved and the HAP contract is executed, the family must follow the rules outlined by HUD and the PHA in order to continue participating in the Housing Choice Voucher Program. The list of Obligations of the Family can be found in the family’s voucher paperwork. The voucher is signed by the family and a SHA official.

What are the tenant’s responsibilities?

  1. The tenant must comply with the lease. It is the tenant’s responsibility to obey all lease obligations. This responsibility includes paying their share of the rent when it is due. The tenant must occupy the unit with the authorized household members of the family. The tenant must obey the rules and regulations of the building, as well as all of the rules written in the lease. The tenant should be careful not to damage the unit. If the unit needs repairs, notify the landlord right away. The tenant must notify the landlord and SHA 30 days in advance, when they are ready to move. If the lease is violated, the family can be evicted, and the Section 8 HCV Program will stop making the subsidy payments.


  2. The tenant must pay the security deposit and make utility payments.When a tenant moves into a new unit, the security deposit must be paid as required by the lease. If the tenant is responsible for utilities, payments must be made promptly each month. If utility payments are not made, the tenant is in violation of the lease and may result in the loss of subsidy.


  3. Report changes in income or family size.Changes in income or family size can affect the amount of subsidy that the family is eligible for. The family must report changes within 30 days, so that SHA can make any necessary adjustments. Failure to report income and family size changes in a timely manner can result in the loss of subsidy. Any decrease in income must be reported within 30 days. In addition, you must report all new sources of income regardless of the amount.

Grounds for denial or termination of assistance

Denial or Termination of assistance occurs when a tenant is no longer eligible for subsidy due to a violation or failure to comply with the family’s obligation, tenant responsibilities or HUD program requirements. It results in the loss of subsidy to the family. A family whose assistance is terminated may remain in the unit, but they must pay the full contract rent to the landlord. In accordance with HUD regulations, a family has the right to request an informal hearing of the decision to terminate their assistance and an informal review for denial of assistance.