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The voucher program helps thousands of families access good housing in the private market. |
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How the Program Works
The Housing Choice Voucher Program is a national rental assistance program, funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The goal of the program is to assist low- and moderate-income families to rent housing in the private market, by paying a portion of the family’s rent each month.
For families, there are six steps to participation in the Housing Choice Voucher Program. They are:
- Issuance of voucher
- Housing Search
- Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Inspection
- Rent Reasonableness Determination
- Execution of Lease and HAP Contract
- Rent & Housing Assistance Payments begin
Voucher families are required to:
- comply with program rules and the terms of their lease with the property owner
- permit housing inspections
- report changes in income and household composition
- keep the unit in good condition
- screen all applicants for suitability as tenants
- collect the tenant’s portion of the rent
- comply with landlord-tenant and fair housing laws, the terms of the lease with the tenant and their contract with CHAC
- permit inspections
- make timely repairs to keep the property in good condition
- manage daily operations with fiscal integrity and in accordance with federal rules and regulations
- meet its goals and objectives established by the Chicago Housing Authority
- determine whether families and individuals are eligible for the program
- inspect units to ensure that they meet federal guidelines in terms of health and safety
- pay the program’s portion of the rent to the owner in a timely manner
- monitor voucher participants and owners to ensure compliance with program rules
Disclaimer: It has come to our attention that people have attempted to sell housing vouchers and applications for vouchers. This is a reminder that you should NEVER pay for such services. It is illegal for anyone to require money for ANY services provided by the Chicago Housing Choice Voucher Program, including obtaining an application or voucher and placement on the waiting list. If anyone asks you for money for these services, notify CHAC immediately, by contacting our fraud hotline at 1.800.533.0441.
