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The Need for Affordable
Housing in Houston
There is great need for affordable housing in
Houston. As recent as January 18, 2003 the waiting
list was opened and over 10,000 applications were
received and from that, 1,000 applicants were
selected using a lottery system. With the help
of the Houston rental community, we will continue
to reach our goal of providing safe, decent and
affordable housing to Houston families.
Responsibilities of the Housing Authority,
owner and assisted families:
The success of the Housing Choice Voucher Program
depends on a cooperative relationship between
the Housing Authority, the assisted family and
the owner or property manager. As a public service
program, our goal is to provide excellent service
to the families and owners participating in the
program. The program is designed to maintain the
regular owner and tenant relationship. Our main
purpose is to subsidize familys' rents; all other
aspects of the lease agreement must be resolved
between the landlord and the tenant. The following
summarizes the responsibilities of each party.
The Housing Authority's
Responsibilities:
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Reviews
all applicants to determine families' eligibility
for the program.
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Explain
the rules of the program to families and property
owners/managers.
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Issue Vouchers
to families.
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Inspect
the assisted units for housing quality standards
compliance.
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Approve
the unit, the owner and the lease.
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Make housing
assistance payments to the owner in a timely
manner. |
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Re-examine
the family's income and composition annually,
adjust the rent accordingly and process changes
in rent portions when income or family composition
changes. |
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Ensure
that owners and families comply with the program
rules. |
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Provide
prompt, professional service to owners and
tenant families. |
The Owner's Responsibilities:
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Thoroughly
screens and interviews families who apply.
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Maintains
the property by making necessary repairs in
a timely manner.
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Maintains the property by making modifications to unit as reasonable accommodations.
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Collects
application fees, security deposits and tenant's
monthly rent portion.
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Manages the property and enforces the lease.
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Comply
with the terms of the Housing Assistance Payment
Contract and HUD Tenancy addendum. |
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Comply
with all fair housing laws to eliminate discrimination
against any family. |
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Notify
the Housing Authority if a tenant vacates
the unit and return the housing assistance
payments received after a family vacates a
unit. |
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Notify
the Housing Authority of any owner change
immediately, so payment to the new landlord
will not be delayed. |
The Family's Responsibilities:
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Provide
the Housing Authority with complete and accurate
information pertaining to the family income
and composition.
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Report
any changes in income and family composition
that occur throughout the year.
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Locate
a suitable unit and pay security deposit and
application fee to the owner.
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Attend
scheduled appointments and return documents
on time.
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Maintain
the property and repair any damages beyond
normal wear and tear.
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Comply
with the terms of the lease. |
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Pay their
portion of rent on time to the owner. |
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Comply
with all family obligations under the Housing
Choice Voucher Program. |
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