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Did you Know?

The Caribou Housing Authority serves several communities , including and surrounding, Caribou as an administrator of Housing Choice Vouchers, and is the largest issuer of HCVs in Aroostook County.

The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program is the federal government’s primary program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the HCV tenant, participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments.

The vouchers are federal funds from the U.S. Department of  Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This means that the tenant, landlord, and Public Housing Authority (PHA) all have obligations and responsibilities under the HCV program.

Benefits of Being a Housing Choice Voucher Landlord

Caribou Housing Authority’s Housing Choice Voucher program (typically referred to as “Section 8” ) provides housing assistance payments on behalf of qualified renters to over 50 landlords in the region. This HCV program provides direct cash subsidies to landlords of rental properties in exchange for a promise to rent to people with low incomes and a promise to meet Housing Quality Standards which will be certified by Caribou Housing Authority inspectors. Area landlords benefit from this program by having a reliable pool of tenants and assurance that Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) will be paid on-time every month. To learn how to become a landlord who participates in the program, call our HCV program office at (207) 493-4234, or email us at housing@cariboumaine.org

There are a variety of ways landlords benefit from our Housing Choice Voucher program:

  1. On-time and convenient payments:
    Receive rent from HUD every single month via direct deposit into your bank accont on the first business Wednesday of each month.
  2. Protection from tenant’s financial hardships:
    If a tenant’s income decreases, an unsubsidized tenant would normally have a difficult time paying the rent and could face eviction for nonpayment. If a tenant is a voucher holder, the housing authority pays the majority (if not all) of the rent.
  3. Free access to a pool of potential tenants and low-cost marketing:
    With AffordableHousing.com, landlords can list properties and review tenant profiles. For a small fee, landlords are able to do a premium listing to get more attention on their property when tenants are searching. Landlords can also list free by submitting postings to CHA. Some landlords think that the HCV applicant pool was unlikely to have internet access to review profiles, but that isn’t the case and CHA also provides paper listings in the offices for those without internet access.
  4. Short Vacancies:
    CHA has a list of HCV participants with vouchers who are seeking housing. Filling a vacancy is a relatively quick process once your property has already been inspected and approved for the program.
  5. Long-term Tenants:
    Many HCV tenants, after being approved for the program and after finding a place to rent, tend to stay put for a while. Additionally, when the initial lease is signed, it must be for 1 year.

To learn more about HCV Programs and Procedures, including forms, frequently asked questions, and sample contracts click here.

Ready To Becoming a Housing Choice Voucher Supporting Landlord?

Step 1: Contact Us?

Step 2: List your property

We highly recommend you advertise your property in area newspapers and include “Section 8 OK” in your advertisement. Property advertisements can also be sent to PHA via fax, email, or USPS and we will post your advertisement in our main lobby and distribute it during our new voucher holder briefings. Please make sure your advertisements include the following:

  • Location
  • Monthly Rent Amount
  • Bedroom Size
  • Utilities Paid for by Tenant and source of utilities (ie oil heat, electric water, etc) and utilities paid for by Landlord
  • Date Available for Lease Up
  • Contact Information

Your property can also be listed by registering online at www.affordablehousing.com.

Step 3: Screen prospective participants.

Landlords are responsible for screening their prospective participants. The Housing Authority screens prospective participants’ eligibility but does not screen assisted families for suitability as tenants. Additionally, federal regulation requires that a landlord may not be the parent, child, grandchild, grandparent, sister, or brother of the HCV participant you select.

Step 4: Select a participant

Tenant selection is based on your own selection criteria. The use of renter reference services is encouraged. As in all cases, Fair Housing is the law.

Step 5: Complete the Request for Tenancy Approval packet and return to Caribou Housing Authority

Step 6 Make sure your rental unit meets minimum standards

An inspector will conduct an HQS inspection. All housing units with HCV tenants must meet the following thirteen (13) HQS performance requirements both at the commencement of assisted occupancy and throughout the assisted tenancy:

  • Interior air quality
  • Sanitary facilities
  • Water supply
  • Food preparation and refuse disposal
  • Lead-based paint
  • Space and security
  • Access
  • Thermal environment
  • Site and neighborhood
  • Illumination and electricity
  • Sanitary conditions
  • Structure and materials
  • Smoke detectors
Step 7: Sign your lease and HAP Contract

Sign the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Contract with Caribou Housing and sign a minimum one-year lease with the resident.

Step 8: Receive your Housing Assistance Payment!