HCV Facts Sheet

Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Myth-Busting and Benefit Fact Sheet

Myth-Busting for HCV Landlords

''Landlords can't charge HCV participants the same rent as their non-HCV tenants.''

FALSE- Landlords can charge the full rent no matter who the tenant is. The housing authority must determine that the proposed rent is reasonable and is not higher than units in that area with similar amenities.

''HCV Voucher tenants are problem tenants.''

FALSE- Actually, HCV tenants are typically long-term tenants, living in a unit for 7-8 years on average. There are no documented statistics showing that HCV participants are any more likely to damage units or not pay rent than are non-HCV tenants. Landlords use their own screening criteria and should screen HCV tenants as they would screen any other tenant to avoid problem tenants.

'' It is almost impossible to evict an HCV tenant when they violate the lease.''

FALSE- HCV tenants are bound by the terms of their rental agreements and are subject to eviction, as is any non-HCV tenant.

'' If you accept one HCV Program tenant, then all of your units must be rented to HCV Program tenants. ''

FALSE- Renting units to HCV tenants does not in itself obligate you to rent to other HCV tenants. For each vacancy, you should follow your established policies for screening prospective tenants.

Benefits of Housing Choice Voucher Program for Landlords

• You will get timely and dependable payments from the Public Housing Authority (PHA). Participating, compliant landlords will receive timely and dependable housing assistance payments (HAP) each month once the HAP contract and lease are signed.
  
  
• You will get your full rental payment. When an HCV tenant's income permanently changes, the portion of the rent is paid by the PHA, and the tenant is adjusted to reflect this change. This provides financial protection to landlords in that if an HCV tenant's income decreases, there is a process for the PHA to pay a larger portion of the rent to the landlord so the landlord continues to receive a full rental payment.
  
  
• You will receive regular inspections. Some landlords appreciate the routine inspections because they provide an opportunity to check on the condition of the unit. This can result in identifying maintenance needs that may have otherwise gone unnoticed for some time. Landlords that own or manage properties across wide geographies, in particular, tend to appreciate the value in having a routine, objective inspection of their rental units.
  
  
• You may request annual reasonable rent increases. Compliant landlords may request a rent increase at the annual anniversary of the HAP contract by written notice to the PHA.
  
  
• You have the opportunity to help low-income elderly, disabled, and veteran households, as well as families with children, by providing affordable housing. More than 50 percent of vouchers serve elderly or non-elderly disabled families. About 45 percent of vouchers assist single-parent families.