Initial Eligibility Process

Steps to receiving rental assistance through the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program:

  1. Families seeking assistance must register on the Voucher Waiting List.  Registrants must keep their contact address information updated with the Housing Authority by submitting a Change of Information Form when needed.  Failure to do so will result in cancellation from the Waiting List.
  2. Registrants are pulled from the Waiting List according to their position number and scheduled for an application appointment with a Housing Authority Specialist.  Registrants are asked to bring in identification, proof of income, assets and certain expenses.
  3. After the application appointment, applicants must wait while the Housing Specialist obtains the necessary third party verification of income and other household information, determines if the application can be approved, and calculates the assistance amount. Certain allowances for the number of dependents in the household, child care or medical expenses, and other items, may be factored in to the assistance calculation.

    In determining household eligibility, the Housing Authority will follow HUD-established methods for obtaining verification of Income using one of the following methods:

    • Enterprise Income Verification (EIV), Up-front Income Verification (UIV); these methods are HUD approved computer-based sources of income verification.
    • Third party written or verbal verification is used only if EIV/UIV is unclear, unavailable, or in dispute. (Third party is the process of directly contacting the income source either by mail or phone).
    • Review of documents – use of applicant- or participant-supplied proof of information. Exceptions to accepting applicant- or participant-supplied documents are child care, medical expenses, and full-time student status. Third party verification is used in these exception cases.
    • Certification/self declaration – written statement of fact by applicant or participant family. This method is used as a last resort only.
  4. When the Specialist has determined the approved/denied status of the application, the family will be notified via mail.

    If the application is denied, which is often due to over-income, negative background check or non-compliance, the family will receive a letter advising them of the denial of their application.

    If approved, the family will be scheduled for a Voucher Briefing appointment to receive their Voucher and learn their obligations under the Program. Families will also receive a Request for Tenancy Approval (RTA) form and an owner packet for their existing or new landlord.
  5. Some households receiving a Housing Choice Voucher use their assistance in their present unit, while others may need to look for a unit. The Housing Authority provides a free unit listing on which landlords willing to rent to Voucher holders list their vacant units.  Many properties owned and operated by the Housing Authority accept Vouchers as well.
  6. If a household wants to use their Voucher outside Santa Clara County, they must notify their Housing Specialist in writing.  Some restrictions apply.

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