Add/Remove Household Members

Under the Section 8 Program, the family is required to report all changes in family composition, within a timely manner.

REQUESTING TO ADD A NEW FAMILY MEMBER

NEW FAMILY MEMBER NOT REQUIRING APPROVAL

The addition of a family member as a result of birth, adoption, or court-awarded custody does not require Housing Agency approval.  However, the family is required to promptly notify the Housing Agency of the addition  [24 CFR 952.551(h)(2)]

  • The family must inform Caribou Housing Agency of an additional child within 10 business days

NEW FAMILY MEMBERS NEEDING APPROVAL

Except for children who join the family as a result of birth, adoption, or court-awarded custody, a family must request Housing Agency approval to add a new family member. [24 CFR 9825.551(h)(4)].

This includes any person not on the lease who is expected to stay in the unit for more than 14 consecutive days or 30 cumulative days within a 12-month period. 

  • Requests must be made in writing and approved by the Housing Agency prior to the individual moving into the unit.
  • Any and all adults (18 years of age and older) that are requested to be added to the household, must go through the Housing Agency’s standard eligibility screening criteria.

HOW TO MAKE A REQUEST

  • Contact the Caribou Housing Agency to let us know that you are thinking about adding another person to your Section 8 Rental Assistance.

  • Pick up a Request to Add New Members to Household packet, complete the forms, (making sure that they are signed and date by ALL adult members).
  • Make an appointment with the Caribou Housing Agency.  Bring your completed packet with you, along with the new members documentation:
    1. Original Birth Certificate,
    2. Original Social Security Card and
    3. Proof of income (if applicable) for the new member.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

After the Caribou Housing Agency receives your written request to add a new member to your household, we will review the packet

  • If the new household member is an adult, 18 years or older, the Caribou Housing Agency will conduct a standard eligibility screening.
    • Part of the standard eligibility screening is a background check; that consist of  (1) criminal activities, including violent and drug-related; (2) if the adult is a registered life-time sexual offender (anywhere in the United States), and (3) if he/she has ever received rental assistance before.
  • The Landlord must, also, approve/deny for any adult(s), 18 years or older, to be added to the household.

APPROVAL/DENIAL

If the Caribou Housing Agency determines the requested individual meets the eligibility criteria and documentation requirements, the Agency will provide written approval to the family. 

If the Caribou Housing Agency determines that the requested individual does not meet the Agency’s eligibility criteria or documentation requirement, the Agency will notify the family in writing of its decision to deny approval of the new member and the reason for the denial.

PLEASE KEEP IN MIND

Caribou Housing Agency does have a Guest Policy.

  • “A guest is a person temporarily staying in the unit with the consent of the head of household who has expressed or implied authority to so consent.”
  • “A guest may reside in the assisted unit NO LONGER than 14 consecutive days or a total of 30 cumulative calendar days during any 12-month period.”

Note:  If the lease that the Section 8 participant has signed with the landlord, has a stricter Guest Policy, the lease takes precedent over the Housing Agency policy.

Any adult or child that is found to be staying/sleeping/residing in a Section 8 assisted unit, for longer than the guest policy, may result in termination of the Section 8 Rental Assistance.

REQUESTING TO REMOVE A HOUSEHOLD MEMBER

  • Contact the Caribou Housing Agency to let us know that you are thinking about removing a person from your Section 8 Rental Assistance.
  • Pick up a Request to Remove Members to Household packet, complete the forms, (making sure that they are signed and date by ALL adult members).
  • Return the completed packet back to the Caribou Housing Authority.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

After the Caribou Housing Authority receives your written request to remove a household member, we will review the packet.

  • The Landlord must, also approve/deny the notification that a member has been removed.

APPROVAL/DENIAL

After the Caribou Housing Authority has determined that the household member has left the assisted unit, the Authority will notify the family in writing of its decision and of any rent determination.

PLEASE KEEP IN MIND

After time goes by, if you wish to have the removed household member move back into your assisted unit, you will have to make a request to add them back on to your assistance (he/she just cannot move back in).