Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program

The purpose of the Housing Choice Voucher Program is to provide rental assistance to eligible families. The rules and regulations of the Housing Choice Voucher Program are issued by HUD. This program offers mobility to eligible families because they may search for suitable housing anywhere in the Holyoke Housing Authority's jurisdiction and may also be eligible to move under portability to other jurisdictions.

When a family is determined to be eligible for the program and funding is available, the Holyoke Housing Authority will issue the family a housing voucher. When a family finds suitable housing unit and funding is available, the Holyoke Housing Authority will enter into a contract with the owner, and the family will enter into a lease with the owner. Each party makes their respective payments to the owner so that the owner receives full rent.

Even though the family is determined to be eligible for the program, the owner has the responsibility of approving the family as a suitable renter. The Holyoke Housing Authority continues to make payments to the owner as long as the family is eligible and the housing unit continues to qualify under the program.