Frequently
Asked
Questions

WHA can help by paying a portion of your rent directly to your landlord through the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, This program is funded by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Another way WHA assists people is by making Housing Authority-owned apartments available to low-income households at an affordable rent. 

All households in need of rental assistance at a privately owned unit must first place their name on the WHA Section 8 Voucher Wait List. When your name reaches the top of the List, you will be asked to complete an application so that your eligibility for the Housing Choice Voucher Program can be determined. If you want to move into a Housing Authority-owned apartment, go to the our website wtbyha.com to see what properties are accepting applications.

The Section 8 Voucher Wait List is opened periodically on an as needed basis. When the Wait List is re-opened, a public announcement is placed in area newspapers and information posted on this website. You can also check to see if other Housing Authority’s are accepting applications at http://www.cthcvp.org/

It is not possible to predict how long it will take for someone to get to the top of the Wait List. The wait depends on the rate of turnover in the rental assistance programs and the level of funding made available by HUD. In many cases, you may have to wait multiple years before your name will reach the top of the List. 

Check the Voucher Wait List page to see which position number is currently being processed or click here to contact us.

You will receive a letter informing you that your name has reached the top of the Wait List and that WHA is ready to begin the application process. You will be asked to complete a Personal Declaration Form and return it to our office. Upon receipt, an application appointment will be scheduled.

It is important for you to inform WHA of all address changes while your name is on the Wait List. If you fail to respond because you did not receive the letter or if the letter is returned as undeliverable, WHA will proceed down the List and remove your name from the Wait List. If you have any changes, submit a Change of Address Form.

It could take several weeks or months to process your application, verify your eligibility and issue you a Voucher for rental assistance. You can shorten the time it takes by promptly submitting all documentation requested by WHA and showing up at your appointments on time.

When you are issued a Voucher for rental assistance, you must attend a Voucher Briefing. Briefings are held at the WHA office. Staff will review the requirements of the program and provide valuable information to assist you in your housing search.

To begin receiving housing assistance, you must first do the following:
• Find a unit you agree to rent from a landlord willing to participate in the Section 8 Voucher Program.
• You and the landlord must sign a Request for Tenancy Approval (RTA) form and submit it to the WHA.
• If the rent is within the general limits of the Program, an inspection of the unit by WHA will be scheduled. The unit you select must pass a Housing Quality Standards inspection. The inspection will be scheduled within 5-10 business days from receipt of the RTA if the unit is vacant and ready to be inspected.

Your portion of rent paid to the owner is be based on a formula established by HUD and cannot exceed 30% of your adjusted monthly income.

Housing Quality Standards (HQS) are national minimum standards established by HUD to ensure that subsidized units are safe, decent and sanitary. The unit must pass the HQS inspection before your rent subsidy can begin. HQS include requirements such as all utilities (gas, electric, water) must be working, windows and doors must have locks that work, all plumbing fixtures must work and there are no leaks, and the unit is in good condition overall.

WHA mails your rental assistance to the owner on the first business day of each month. You must also pay your share of the rent each month directly to the owner. Failure to do so may lead to your termination from the Section 8 Voucher Program.

Whenever your income changes or you have a change in family composition (persons moving in or out of your household) you are required to report the change to WHA in writing within 10 business days. WHA will determine if and when a change in rent is required and you will be notified in writing. 

Every household that receives housing assistance must undergo a periodic income and eligibility reexamination. Generally, for households with earned income or other non-fixed income, reviews will be conducted every 2 years. For households with only fixed incomes (i.e., social security, pension), reviews will be conducted every 3 years. This is only a general timeline and some households may be reviewed every year. Approximately 180 days prior to your scheduled review date, you will receive a letter and forms to complete and return in order to verify your income and continued eligibility for the Program. When you receive this request for information, you must respond by the due dates stated in the letter. Failure to do so may lead to termination of your housing assistance. 

WHA will conduct an inspection every two years to ensure the unit continues to meet Housing Quality Standards (HQS). Please note there are exceptions to this timeline and some units may be inspected every year. You and your landlord will receive a letter from WHA if the unit does not pass inspection. The letter will list the items requiring repair and will give the landlord a date by which the repairs must be corrected. WHA may abate (stop) the Housing Assistance Payment to the owner if the violations are not corrected within the time limit given. WHA may terminate the tenant’s assistance if tenant-caused HQS violations are not corrected. A 30-day notice will be provided to you and the landlord regarding any WHA termination of assistance. 

You should notify the owner immediately if your unit is in need of a repair. If the owner fails to respond, contact the WHA Inspections Unit.

Current Program rules allow you to continue to receive housing assistance as long as you are income-eligible and as long as you fulfill your tenant obligations established by HUD for the Section 8 Program. You will lose your assistance when your income rises to the point that your portion of the rent matches or exceeds the full amount of the rent, or if you are terminated from the Program for violating the rules.

Before you can move to another unit and continue to receive your housing assistance, you must complete your tenant obligations under your current lease. This includes giving the property owner a proper 30-day notice to vacate, and sending a copy of the notice to your Housing Specialist. Your Specialist will send you a letter with information on what you need to do to receive a Transfer Voucher. 

If you are a Section 8 participant, your owner may request that you move at the end of your lease term. If you receive a written notice to move, call your Housing Specialist who will advise you on the steps needed for you to receive a Transfer Voucher. It is very important for you to fulfill your lease obligations and pay your rent on time each month. If you violate any of your lease provisions, the owner may serve a notice for lease violations, in which case you may no longer be eligible for the Program. Contact your Housing Specialist as soon as you receive any written notice from your landlord.