SECTION 8 - HOUSING CHOICE VOUChERS
What is the Section 8 HCV Program?
The Section 8 HCV Program is a Federally funded, subsidized- rental program that allows recipients of a voucher to rent safe and sanitary housing in the private sector. The voucher holder pays part of the rent, which is determined by the household's monthly adjusted gross income, the rent payment standard for the area, and the apartment's rent. The tenant is not allowed to pay more than 40% of the household's adjusted gross income towards the rent and utilities, but must pay at least 30% of the household's adjusted gross income. The Brookline Housing Authority administers the voucher and, with funds received from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), pays the remainder of the rent amount directly to the landlord. The HCV recipient may use the voucher to find a unit in any part of the United States and Puerto Rico.
For a more detailed explanation HCV program, please visit www.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs/hcv/about/fact_sheet.cfm.
Who is Eligible for a Housing Choice Voucher?
Very low-income elderly, disabled, singles and families are eligible to apply for a HCV. The Fiscal Year 2010 gross household-income allowed for this program (for Brookline Housing Authority ONLY) is as follows:
HCV Gross Household Income Limits By Household Size for BHA ONLY:
1 person |
2 person |
3 person |
4 person |
5 person |
6 person |
7 person |
8 person |
$19,300 |
$22,050 |
$24,800 |
27,550 |
$29,800 |
32,000 |
$34,200 |
$36,400 |
Besides the above income limits, the BHA does credit report, landlord history and CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) checks on applicant and family members 18 years and older whose application is approaching the top the waiting list.
How to Apply for a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher
Brookline Housing Authority is one of a growing list of Massachusetts housing authorities who have joined MassNAHRO's Centralized Waiting List. When one of the over 70 public housing authorities who belong to the Centralized Waiting List has Housing Choice Vouchers available, that community draws its own applications from the Centralize Waiting List (remember that HCVs are mobile so that a voucher received in one community may be used to find housing in another). For more information about MassNAHRO's Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Centralized Waiting List go to the MassNAHRO site.
You may download a copy of a preliminary application for the centralized waiting list by clicking here(You must have Adobe Reader on your computer in order to download this and other forms from the BHA website. You may download this free software by going to or clicking www.adobe.com.) or by going to http://massnahro.org/media/preapp708.pdf. You may also have one sent or faxed to you by calling the Brookline Housing Authority at 617-277-1885 or writing to us at 90 Longwood Avenue, Brookline, MA 02446.
Completed Section 8 preliminary applications must be mailed or brought to Brookline Housing Authority or any housing authority that participates in the Centralized Waiting List. You may not fax or e-mail the completed preliminary application.
Incomplete Section 8 preliminary applications or those returned by fax or e-mail will not be included on the waiting list and will be returned to you.
Family Self-Sufficiency Program
Brookline Housing participates in HUD's family self-sufficiency program. Under this program our staff assists families by working with welfare agencies, educational institutions, businesses and other agencies to develop programs that give participating FSS household members the skills and experience to obtain employment that will lead to economic independence and self-sufficiency.
Fraud and Abuse of Program
The vast majority of residents on our subsidized programs follow DHCD or HUD rules and regulations. A few, as happens in every aspect of life, choose to take advantage of our programs and commit fraud.
The BHA vigorously investigates fraud and aggressively prosecutes the perpetrators. When fraud is discovered, housing assistance may be terminated, restitution will be sought and, in some cases, information is handed over to the appropriate authorities for possible criminal prosecution.
We advise that residents who have or are committing fraud or know of someone that may be in violation of the program's regulations to contact their manager or program representative so that a less drastic resolution than loss of residency/subsidy and prosecution may be considered.