For Rental Property Owners

Housing Choice Voucher Program

Rental property owners in South St. Paul can participate in the Housing Choice Voucher Program (also known as Section 8) by providing affordable and safe housing for Voucher participants. The South St. Paul HRA receives federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer the voucher program.

The Housing Choice Voucher Program is a three way partnership
between property owners, tenant families and the HRA

How Can Property Owners Participate in the Voucher Program

1. Market to Prospective Tenants who have a Voucher
   Include “Vouchers Accepted” in your advertisement.
   
2. Screen Prospective Renter
   Property owners are responsible for screening tenants.
   
3. Complete Request for Tenancy Approval Form (PDF)
   Fill out the request for lease approval which then is returned to the HRA to make sure the unit is affordable. The RTA form requires the proposed rent and mailing address for payment, address of the unit, utilities that are included with the rent, etc.
   The HRA cannot approve a rent that exceeds what comparable unassisted units in the market charge. The tenant is eligible for a maximum subsidy, based on household income and the applicable HRA payment standards. The maximum assistance a household is eligible to receive is equal to the difference between 30% of a household monthly adjusted income and the applicable payment standard for their voucher size. The tenant must pay the difference between the maximum subsidy and the rent charged. Under the Voucher Program a renter is prohibited from leasing a unit where their portion of rent exceeds 40% of their monthly adjusted income.
   
4. HRA Inspection
   All rental units assisted through the Housing Choice Voucher Program must pass a Housing Quality Standards Inspection. Upon receiving a Request for Tenancy Approval of the unit, the HRA will arrange for an inspection of the rental unit.
   Once the unit passes inspection, the Property Owner signs the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract and returns it along with a copy of the lease the Property Owner has with the tenant. The HRA will then begin sending a check for its portion directly to the Rental Owner on the first of each month. New Property Owners will be required to submit the IRS Form W-9 before payment can be issued. The Property Owner is responsible for collecting the tenant portion of the rent.

Let the HRA know of any Property Owner changes immediately.

For more information call the HRA at 651-554-3270.