Housing Choice Voucher Program-Stephenson

BRIEF OVERVIEW OF Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV)

The rules and regulations for the Housing Choice Voucher Program are determined by the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The purpose of the Housing Choice Voucher Program is to provide rental assistance to eligible low income families.

The voucher program is designed to help low-income families obtain affordable housing and to provide increased housing choices. HUD determines the amount of funding that is available for rental assistance in each community. It is important to ensure that the funds are used to assist only those families who are eligible. The reason Housing Authority's have waiting lists is that there is not enough funding to assist all of the families who apply.

STEPS TO ASSISTANCE

APPLY TO STEPHENSON COUNTY HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM WAIT LIST (THROUGH WINNEBAGO COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY)
HOUSING AUTHORITY DETERMINES FAMILY'S FINAL ELIGIBILITY
VOUCHER ISSUED
FAMILY DECIDES WHERE TO LIVE
OWNER APPROVES FAMILY
HOUSING AUTHORITY APPROVES TENANCY AND UNIT
CONTRACT AND LEASE SIGNED
HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS MADE

Kristin Andrews, HCV Coordinator

Kristin@wchauthority.com

Phone (815) 963-2133 Ext. 16

Fax (815) 316-2860

*STEPHENSON COUNTY HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM WAIT LIST WILL BE OPEN AUGUST 31ST 10:00AM TO 6:00PM AT THE WESTVIEW COMMUNITY CENTER, 1435 WESTVIEW RD, FREEPORT, IL

YOU MUST BRING:

PHOTO ID'S FOR ALL ADULTS IN HOUSEHOLD

SOCIAL SECURITY CARDS FOR EVERYONE IN HOUSEHOLD

http://www.co.winnebago.il.us/control/AdvHTML_Uploads/fileUploads/RequestforTenancyApproval.pdf

August 22, 2007

Dear Freeport Section 8 Landlord, Section 8 Families, and Section 8 Wait List Applicants,

On 8/01/07 the United State Department of Housing and Urban Development approved a request by the Freeport Housing Authority (FHA) and the Winnebago County Housing Authority (WCHA) to transfer the Freeport Section 8 program to WCHA. We look forward to the benefits which we can bring to you, which include:

For Section 8 Landlords

Tax abatement program (further information will be sent soon)
Marketing of your vacancies (just call our Section 8 office)
Direct Deposit (beginning in 2008)

For Section 8 Families

The Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS), a Section 8 homeownership program.
The Neighborhood Networks Program, which provides employment and educational opportunities (this has included a number of social service programs, graduates for GED and college degrees, workforce graduates, resume, interview, and computer classes for all ages in your household)

For Initial Portable Billing Housing Authorities

Please send your invoices to the Winnebago County Housing Authority, 3617 Delaware Street, Rockford, Illinois, 61102

For Section 8 Applicants on the Wait List

WCHA will keep the separate wait list now being used for Stephenson County, and you will be chosen from this list as vouchers become available.

The program will be operated solely by WCHA under the WCHA Section 8 Administrative Plan, and housing assistance and utility assistance checks will come from WCHA. However, the program funding remains for the families of Stephenson County. Through our continued partnership with the Freeport Housing Authority, they are generously offering office space for onsite appointments in Freeport for your convenience. Please contact Angie Marney, Section 8 Coordinator at (815)963-6092 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. with any questions or Section 8 business, and please know you're always free to contact me at (815)963-2133 extension 11. All housing programs, email contacts, staff, board members and additional programs such as Our Own Home Program/Mi Casa USA are also available on our website.

We thank the Freeport Housing Authority with their kind partnership in helping to bring the more services and programs to the families of Stephenson County, and we thank you for all of your help to us.

Sincerely,

Alan Zais

Executive Director

Winnebago County Housing Authority

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