General Questions

 

Owner FAQs:  General Questions    Contracting and Rent    Finance and Ownership    Tenant Issues and Terminations
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program is a rental assistance program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  It is designed to assist eligible low-income families rent housing in the private market by paying some of their rental costs.  The Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) administers the program in the unincorporated areas and participating cities in Los Angeles County.  Our responsibilities include determining family eligibility; approving units, leases, and rent; determining the family’s rent portion based on their income; ensuring that families and owners comply with program rules; inspecting units biennially and re-determining family eligibility annually; and making housing assistance payments to owners.

- You receive a guaranteed monthly payment on the first* of every month via direct deposit.

- You retain total control.  You can collect a security deposit, use your own lease, and screen tenants according to your own suitability criteria.

- You receive free biennial inspections to ensure maximum property upkeep.

- Most importantly – by participating in the Section 8 Program, you are helping low-income families obtain housing.

*If the first of the month is a weekend or holiday, payment will be released on the next business day.

Eligibility

To become a participating owner, all you need to do is to lease your rental unit to a Section 8 HCV Program voucher holder.  Generally, owners cannot rent to relatives under the Section 8 HCV Program. The LACDA may grant an exception as a reasonable accommodation to a disability.  

The LACDA will require you to provide proof of ownership of the rental property, and to certify that the rent you charge the voucher holder is the same as what you currently charge unassisted families. 

The LACDA may disapprove you for reasons such as engaging in drug trafficking, committing fraud in connection to a Federal housing program, or being debarred by HUD from participating as an owner under the Section 8 HCV Program.

Obligations

Owner obligations under Section 8 are similar to the obligations of an owner renting in the private market. 

- You handle the tenant’s screening for suitability for tenancy. 
- You must maintain the rental property in good condition according to the Housing Quality Standards, making repairs as needed. 
- You must pay for utilities, maintenance, and services as specified in your lease with the tenant. 
- You are required to adhere to the lease, and to the Housing Assistance Payments contract, including the HUD Tenancy Addendum, which is your agreement with the LACDA. 
- You must also comply with applicable fair housing laws.

The LACDA offers a free internet-based property listing and locator service through the Los Angeles County Housing Resource Center.  Click here to find out more information or to register your properties.
The LACDA frequently offers workshops for existing Section 8 owners only.  For dates, locations, or to register for a session, please contact the Public Liaison Unit at public_liaison@lacda.org.

For more information on the Section 8 Program, you may refer to the HUD website.