Housing Choice Vouchers

Waiting List:

Our waiting list is currently: OPEN

The Housing Choice Voucher Program is a rental assistance program for low income persons or families who wish to live in privately owned housing. If determined eligible by the Housing Authority, the participant has limited time to find a suitable unit offered by a private landlord that must pass our inspection standards. The tenant pays approximately 30% of their monthly income towards rent and utilities and the Housing Authority pays the remainder of rent directly to the landlord.

For more information on the Housing Choice Voucher Program, call 724-287-6797.

Inspection Checklist

In order for your unit to pass inspection, it must meet certain requirements of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The following list covers those items which most commonly cause a unit to fail an inspection. Please inspect your unit before you request an inspection to avoid any delays in the beginning date of the lease and contract. No contracts will be made prior to a unit passing an initial inspection.

All units must pass inspection annually to continue subsidy payments.

  • There cannot be any chipping or peeling paint anywhere inside the unit or on the outside of the unit.

  • There must be a refrigerator and cooking stove which are clean and in working order (supplied by either the tenant or owner).

  • There must be an installed heating system that works and adequately heats the unit.

  • There must be hot and cold running water in the kitchen and bathroom(s).

  • There must be a flush toilet that works and does not leak.

  • The bathroom must have either a window to the outside, or an exhaust fan.

  • There must not be any plumbing leaks or plugged drains (check for slow drains).

  • All ground floor windows must have attached locks and exterior doors must have locks, including working deadbolts.

  • All security bars and window bars must have a quick release mechanism.

  • One good screen is required for each room with a window.

  • There must not be any missing, broken or cracked windows.

  • All electrical outlets must have cover plates and be in good condition.

  • The roof must not leak (check for stains).

  • If stairs and railings are present, they must be secure.

  • Modifications or adaptations to a unit must meet applicable HQS and building codes.

  • The hot water heater must have a temperature pressure relief valve with a downward discharge pipe made of galvanized steel or copper tubing extended to within 6 inches of floor.

  • Floor coverings cannot be torn or have holes that can cause someone to trip.

  • Smoke detectors, in good working condition, are required in every unit and on every level.

  • The contract rent must be reasonable based on the rent of comparable units in the neighborhood.

View HUD's "Good Place to Live" Brochure (PDF) for more information.

Lead Paint Policy

Upon inspection, the unit should be free of chipping or peeling paint. All owners should visually inspect their units and correct any chipping or peeling paint prior to the inspection that is scheduled by the Housing Authority.

Mold Issues

Fair Market Rent/Income Guidelines:

Income Guidelines:

To participate in the Housing Choice Voucher Program, the following income guidelines must be at or below:

  • Individual: $37,600

  • Family of 2: $42,950

  • Family of 3: $48,300

  • Family of 4: $53,650

  • Family of 5: $57,950

  • Family of 6: $62,250

  • Family of 7: $66,550

  • Family of 8 or More: $70,850

Rent Limits:

The Housing Choice Voucher Fair Market Rents (PDF) are published in the Federal Register each year and are effective each October. The rent amounts include all utilities. If the tenant will be paying all or some of the utilities, the rent amount should be reduced.

Frequently Asked Questions for potential Landlords

  • 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.

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

  • 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.

  • The Housing Authority utilizes Direct Deposit for 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • The Housing Choice Voucher Fair Market Rents are published in the Federal Register each year. 

Frequently Asked Questions for Potential Program Participants

  • 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).

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.