HCV Tenant Responsibilities

In order to qualify for Housing Choice Assistance, a tenant must provide the following information:

  • Evidence of U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status.
  • Family employment, income and composition and immediate notification of changes in status if or when they occur
  • Social Security numbers for all family members and signed consent forms allowing PHA to obtain information about each family member and conduct criminal background checks.
  • Signature of receipt of the HUD Family Notification of Lead-Based Paint literature and a disclosure of lead-based paint testing and medical status for children under six years of age.
  • Upon acceptance into the Housing Choice program, a tenant must attend the DCA Tenant briefing. At that time, the tenant will receive a voucher and will have 60 days to obtain a housing unit.
  • Tenants should not pay a security deposit to a landlord without first checking with his/her Housing Choice representative.
  • A lease agreement must be signed for an initial term of two years.
  • The head of a household, age 18 years or older, may voluntarily join the Family Self-Sufficiency Program which offers assistance and access to the following: child care, transportation, education, career and personal counseling, job training and job-placement. The goal is to assist participants in becoming self-sufficient.

A tenant and each family member living in the subsidized unit must NOT:

  • Own or have interest in the unit.
  • Commit any serious or repeated violation of the lease.
  • Commit fraud, bribery, or any other corrupt or criminal act in connection with the Housing Choice program.
  • Participate in illegal drug or violent criminal activity.
  • Sublease or sublet the unit or assign or transfer the unit.
  • Receive Housing Choice assistance while receiving another housing subsidy either for the same unit or for another unit.
  • Damage the unit or premises (other than damage from ordinary wear and tear) or permit any guest to damage the unit or premises.
  • Engage in threatening, abusive, or violent behavior toward any DCA personnel.

Violation of any of the above may result in termination from the Housing Choice program.

 

Family Obligations

HUD regulations for the voucher programs permit DCA to terminate assistance to participants if any household member or guest does not abide by the following family obligations during assisted tenancy:

  • Supply any information that DCA determines to be necessary. This includes evidence of citizenship and immigration status, information for use in annual or special certification of family composition, income and deductions.
  • Disclose and verify social security information and sign and submit consent forms to obtain information.
  • Supply any information requested by DCA to verify that the family is living in the unit or information related to family absence from the unit.
  • Promptly notify DCA in writing when the family is absent from the unit for an extended period of time in accordance with DCA policy.
  • Notify DCA and the owner in writing before moving from the unit in accordance with the lease.
  • Allow DCA to inspect the unit at reasonable times and after reasonable notice.
  • Maintain unit in decent condition.
  • Must not engage in threatening, abusive or violent behavior toward DCA personnel.
  • Must not participate in illegal drug or violent criminal activity.
  • Must not commit fraud, bribery or any other corrupt or criminal act in connection with the program.