FAQ's for Voucher Holders

Once I get a voucher, how much time do I have to find an apartment?
In the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, participants have (90 days?) to find suitable housing.

What are the requirements for a Section 8 apartment?

1. The building must be safe and meet local and federal housing safety standards.
2. The rent must be affordable for you. The Section 8 program allows you to pay more than 30 percent of your income for rent and utilities, however new Section 8 clients or those who are moving into a new unit cannot pay more than 40 percent of their income at move-in.
3. The rent can’t be over-priced. It must meet a “rent reasonableness” test, which means the rent cannot be higher than rent for similar units in the area. This “test” is performed when you move into a new unit or when your landlord requests a rent increase.

Will Section 8 help pay my security deposit?
No. You are responsible for paying the security deposit.

What is the step-by-step process for getting and using a Section 8 voucher?

1. You apply to the Section 8 wait list and when your name reaches the top of the list, Westbrook Housing reviews your household size and income and determines if you are eligible.
2. If you do not have a criminal record or poor landlord references, you are issued a voucher and a Request for Tenancy Approval (RTA) form. You now have 90 days to find an apartment.
3. When you find a unit you want to rent, the landlord will screen you for suitability as tenant.
4. You and your landlord complete the RTA form and return it to Westbrook Housing.
5. Westbrook Housing inspects the unit to make sure it’s safe and meets housing standards. The inspector will approve the unit or note what repairs are needed.
6. Westbrook Housing negotiates rent with the landlord based on rent reasonableness guidelines and enters into a contract with the landlord.
7. The owner and you sign the lease and give a copy to Westbrook Housing.
8. Every year, Westbrook Housing will inspect the unit and review your eligibility.

How much do I pay and how much does Westbrook Housing pay toward rent?
You pays between 30 and 40 percent of your monthly income in rent. Westbrook Housing pays the remainder to your landlord in the form of a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP).

Are there building standards that the apartment must meet?
Housing Quality Standards (HQS) are the HUD minimum quality standards for Section 8 housing units. HQS was developed to make sure your home will be safe, healthy and comfortable. For more information, read A Good Place to Live.

How often are housing inspections required?
An inspection must be completed before you move into a unit, and then annually.

How is my income verified?
Westbrook Housing will verify all income through your employers with written documentation. Westbrook Housing also periodically reviews employment records through HUD’s Enterprise Income Verification System. If Westbrook Housing finds you did not report income or a new job, your housing assistance can be terminated.

How is my share of rent calculated?
Rent is calculated based on federal regulations, and it is recalculated whenever your income or family size changes. Your portion of the rent is about 30 percent of your monthly adjusted income. This amount is then subtracted from the lower of the payment standard or the gross rent to determine how much Westbrook Housing will pay in the subsidy.
The “payment standard” is a HUD-approved amount based on bedroom size and average fair market rents for the area. The bedroom size standard is two persons per bedroom, but the head of household is not expected to share a bedroom with a child.

When should household income or membership changes be reported?
Any change in income or family composition must be reported to Westbrook Housing in writing within 10 days. To fill out income change forms and report the changes, call your program officer at 207-854-9779.

What deductions are allowed?

• $480 is deducted from your gross monthly income for each household member who is under 18 years of age or is disabled or a full-time student.
• $400 for any elderly family (age 62 or older or disabled).
• Medical expenses in excess of 3 percent of annual family income of any elderly or disabled family.
• Reasonable child care expenses necessary to enable you or another household member to be employed or to advance his/her education.

Where are vouchers accepted?
Wherever you choose to live, as long as the unit passes a Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection. It must also pass a rent reasonableness test to assure that the rent is fair.

When a property owner or manager is willing to rent units under the Section 8 Program, and a rental agreement or lease and Housing Assistance Payment contract must are signed.

Westbrook Housing has a list of units whose owners will accept a Section 8 Voucher.

Why are annual reexaminations necessary?
Westbrook Housing is required by federal regulations to review each your income and family size at least once a year. This is done to assure that (1) the right amount of rent is being paid based on your actual income and (2) the home is the right size for the family.

How can I prepare for the reexamination?
For both your reexamination and annual inspection:

• Be on time for your appointment.
• Make sure you have all the information requested in your reexamination letter.

What happens during this review?
Westbrook Housing will notify you one to two months before the anniversary of your initial move-in date. A program officer will schedule a time to conduct the interview. At the interview, the officer will check to see that all information provided about income and family size is correct.

Sometime during the year, Westbrook Housing will also schedule an inspection of your home to make sure it still meets basic Housing Quality Standards.

The inspection is a good time for you to share any concerns you may have about the condition of your home or any maintenance problems you are having.

What are my obligations?
You must:

• Report all household income and assets and changes in household members.
• Permit inspection of your home after reasonable notice.
• Give Westbrook Housing and the owner at least 30 days written notice if you plan to move.
• Not sublet or lease any part of your unit.
• Never use illegal or controlled substances.
• Not be involved in drug-related or violent criminal activities.
• Not allow anyone who is not a member of your household to use your address to receive mail, register vehicles, etc.
• Follow the terms of your lease.

Can I lose my rental assistance?
Yes, below is a partial list of ways families lose their rental assistance:

• Move out without proper notice.
• Allow unauthorized people to live in the unit or use it as their mailing address.
• Fail to report all changes in income or to provide the information required by Westbrook Housing.
• Owe money to any housing authority.
• Become involved in drug-related or violent criminal activities.
• Repeatedly violate the terms of a lease.
• Cause significant damage to the unit.

When can I move?
Here are some general guidelines for moving out.

• Give Westbrook Housing and your landlord at least 30 days written notice.
• Contact your program officer to see if your income and family composition must be updated, and to obtain another voucher and a Request for Tenancy Approval form for the owner of your new unit.
• Make sure all rent due has been paid.
• Clean the unit thoroughly before you move, this includes major appliances and carpets.

What do I do when something needs to be repaired?
Maintenance problems should be reported to the owner or property manager in writing. If the problem is not corrected in a prompt or satisfactory manner, the problem should be reported to Westbrook Housing in writing for possible action.

As a tenant, what are my responsibilities to the unit?
Practice good housekeeping habits in your home. Keep the home in a clean, safe and orderly condition. Let the property manager or owner know as soon as possible when a repair is needed.