The housing choice voucher program is a federal program that helps very low-income families, the elderly and the disabled to afford decent, safe and sanitary housing in the private market. Participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, mobile homes and apartments and are not limited to units located in subsidized housing projects.
Northwestern Regional Housing Authority (NRHA) administers 1,945 Housing Choice Vouchers on behalf of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A family that is issued a housing 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. Rental units must meet minimum standards of health and safety, as determined by NRHA. If the unit is approved by NRHA, a housing subsidy is paid to the landlord directly by NRHA on behalf of the participating family. The family then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program.
As currently subsidized families become economically self-sufficient and no longer need assistance or when additional funding is secured, vouchers become available. As there are more qualifying participants than available vouchers, NRHA utilize local preferences to determine which families will be pulled from the waitlist and offered a voucher. If an applicant is selected he/she will be notified by mail to complete the application and formal eligibility processing.
Administrative Plan (PDF)