Private Landlords Provide Affordable Housing for over 1,400 families
Nearly 1,000 private landlords all across Aurora are providing housing for over 1,400 families through the AHA Housing Choice Voucher program and portable voucher program. In most cases, the landlord has only one unit participating in the AHA program This private-public partnership for assisted housing brings over $12.7 million into the Aurora community each year.
The Housing Choice Voucher program, also known as Section 8, is AHA’s largest program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled with decent, safe, and clean housing in the private market. The Housing Choice Voucher is provided directly to the family or individual, and participants then find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses and apartments. Each family issued a housing voucher is able to choose a suitable housing unit of the family's choice where the owner agrees to rent under the program.
AHA pays the housing subsidy directly to the landlord on behalf of the participating family. The family then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program.
Eligibility for a housing voucher is based on total annual gross income and family size and is limited to US citizens and specified categories of non-citizens who have eligible immigration status.
During the application process, AHA collects information on family income, assets, and family composition. AHA verifies this information with other local agencies, employers and banks, and will use the information to determine program eligibility and the amount of the housing assistance payment.
The Housing Choice Voucher program allows the individual family to consider several housing choices to secure the best housing for their needs. The housing unit selected by the family must meet an acceptable level of health and safety before AHA will approve the unit. Once the voucher holder finds a unit and reaches an agreement with the landlord over the lease terms, AHA must inspect the dwelling and determine that the rent requested is reasonable.
After AHA approves the unit and lease, the tenant signs the lease with the landlord for at least one year. The landlord may require a security deposit. After the first year the landlord may initiate a new lease or allow the family to remain in the unit on a month-to-month lease. Tenants are expected to comply with the lease and the program requirements, pay their share of rent on time, maintain the unit in good condition and notify AHA of any changes in income or family composition.
In 2006, rent subsidies for 1,090 families to private landlords totaled $9,572,210 in Aurora. The average income of families assisted through the Section 8 program is $11,500 per year.
Under the portable voucher program, families may use their benefits anywhere in the United States. In 2006, AHA served 300 families
from other areas, who brought in an additional $3,195,456 to the
City of Aurora.