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1. What kind of rental unit qualifies?

Any existing rental unit may be eligible: single family homes, condominiums, apartments, mobile homes, townhouses, duplexes, etc., located in Butler County. All rental units must conform to Housing Quality Standards and meet local code requirements.

2. May an owner sell a property while it is under contract with the Housing Authority?

Yes, an owner may sell the property while it has a Housing Choice Voucher tenant under contract.

3. How often does the Housing Authority inspect the units?

The rental units are inspected prior to a contract being signed and at least annually thereafter. Initial inspection of the unit are only conducted once a Request for Tenancy Approval is submitted by the prospective tenant. If the inspection fails, the landlord will have 30 days to make repairs before a re-inspection. The landlord will be notified of all deficiencies found by the inspector along with the re-inspection date. Please see our Inspection Checklist for more information.

4. What are the benefits of being a Housing Choice Voucher landlord?

The Housing Authority mails their portion of the payment on the first business day of each month. The Housing Choice Voucher Program also allows you to fill a vacancy in a rental unit with a tenant who, by being on the program, gives you greater assurance of being able to afford the unit.

5. What are the landlord's responsibilities?

The landlord must attract a family that has already been determined as eligible and has been issued a Voucher by the Housing Authority. The landlord also screens the families to determine if they would be good renters. The landlord must comply with fair housing laws and not discriminate against any family. They must maintain the unit by making necessary repairs in a timely manner. The landlord must also comply with the terms of the Housing Assistance Payment Contract with the Housing Authority. The landlord must also collect the rent due by the tenant and otherwise enforce the lease.

6. What are the family's responsibilities?

The participating family is responsible to pay the rent and the utilities for which they are obligated under the lease. They must provide the Housing Authority with complete and accurate information. The family must also make their best effort to find a place to live that is suitable for them and qualifies under the program. The family is responsible for the care of their housing unit and must comply with the terms of the lease as set forth by the owner.

7. What are the rent limits?

The Housing Choice Voucher Fair Market Rents (PDF) are published in the Federal Register each year. The rent amounts include all utilities. If the tenant will be paying all or some of the utilities, the rent amount should be reduced by $100 or $200 for a 1- and 2- bedroom and $200 or $250 for 3- and 4-bedroom units from the figures when searching for a suitable unit.

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1. What are Housing Choice Vouchers?

The Housing Choice Voucher program is the federal government's program for assisting very low-income families, elderly, and the disabled afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments. Housing Choice Vouchers are administered locally by Public Housing Agencies (such as the Housing Authority of the County of Butler).

2. Am I eligible?

Eligibility for a housing voucher is determined by the Public Housing Agency (PHA) based on the total annual gross income and family size and is limited to U.S. citizens and specified categories of non-citizens who have eligible immigration status. During the application process, the PHA will collect information on family income, assets and family composition. The PHA will verify this information with other local agencies, your employer, bank and will use the information to determine program eligibility and the amount of housing assistance payment you will receive. If you are determined eligible, the PHA will put your name on a waiting list. Once your name has reached the top of the waiting list, the PHA will contact you and issue you a voucher.

3. What is my family responsible for?

The participating family is responsible to pay the rent and the utilities for which they are obligated under the lease. They are also responsible to follow all the terms of the lease. Serious or repeated lease violations can result in the termination of housing assistance under the federal regulations. If the family damages the rental unit beyond normal wear and tear, they are responsible to pay for the damages. The landlord must collect these damage amounts through the local court system.

4. What kind of rental unit qualifies?

Any existing rental unit may be eligible; single family homes, condominiums, apartments, mobile homes, townhouses, duplexes, etc., located in Butler County. All rental units must conform to Housing Quality Standards and meet local code requirements.

5. What is the landlord's responsibility?

The landlord must attract a family that has already been determined as eligible and has been issued a voucher by the Housing Authority. The landlord is responsible to screen the family for suitability as a tenant, just as they would any prospective tenant. If the landlord decides to rent to the family, a Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) is completed and submitted to the Housing Authority. Eligible families are given the RFTA at the time they are issued a voucher. The Housing Authority schedules an inspection of the rental unit within 15 days of receiving the RFTA. If the unit meets Housing Quality Standards and the rent amount is approved by standards set by HUD, the contract is signed by the Housing Authority, the Housing Choice Voucher participant and the landlord. The landlord is expected to collect a security deposit and the family's share of the rent. The landlord is expected to maintain the property's overall condition and see that the basic plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling systems, etc. are functioning properly. Should the family violate the terms of the lease or fail to pay the rent, the landlord needs to notify the Housing Authority so that they may take proper action and the landlord would then go through proper eviction procedures.