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Housing Choice Voucher Program

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Massachusetts Rental Voucher Program

Family Unification Program (FUP)

Family Self-Sufficiency Program

Mainstream & Designated Housing Program

Project Based Voucher

Moderate Rehabilitation Program

Greater Plymouth Area Supportive Housing Program

Family, Elderly, Handicap and Low income (Tax Credit) Complexes we own/operate and manage

Housing Choice Voucher Program

The Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) is the Federal rental assistance program. It was formerly known as the Section 8 Certificate and Voucher program, and many people still refer to it that way. The change-over to the HCVP began in October of 1999 and is now complete. Under the HCVP, the rental subsidy (the amount the housing agency pays) is based upon two factors: the Applicable Payment Standard (APS) and the tenant’s income. The housing agency establishes the APS depending upon local rental market conditions and the limits allowed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. In general, a participant must pay at least 30% of their adjusted income and no more than 40% of their adjusted income towards housing costs

SSHDC administers the HCVP in Plymouth and Bristol Counties in southeastern Massachusetts. Participants may use their HCV anywhere in Massachusetts and in most cases, anywhere in the United States. If an applicant wanted to use their voucher outside of Plymouth and Bristol counties, their case would be transferred to the appropriate housing agency.

To be eligible for the HCVP applicants must meet certain criteria. These include being at or below a certain income levels (usually less than 50% of area median), have a preference status (homeless or living in substandard housing, being involuntarily displaced, or paying more than 50% of household income towards rent and utilities for more than 90 days), have a satisfactory criminal record and be a tenant in good standing relating to previous subsidized tenancies.

There are several ways to apply for the HCVP. You may apply in person at the offices of South Shore Housing. You may request that an application be sent to you. You may download the application off the Internet by going to the Department of Housing and Community Development’s website (http://www.state.ma.us/dhcd ) Applications must be returned either by mail or in person to SSHDC. Faxed applications will not be accepted.

There are several components of the HCVP including Family Unification, Mainstream & Designated Housing Program, and Family Self Sufficiency.