Housing Programs

Housing Choice Vouchers
Mainstream Vouchers
Foster Youth to Independence Vouchers
Family Self-Sufficiency
Voucher Homeownership
FAQ’s

“The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program is the federal governments’ major program for providing housing assistance to over 2.3 million American families. “

Overview

The housing choice voucher program is the federal government’s major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe and sanitary housing in the private market. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments.

Housing Choice Vouchers are administered locally by Public Housing Authorities (PHAs). The PHA receive federal funds from the U.S. Department Of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer the voucher program.

A family that is issued a housing voucher is responsible for finding a suitable housing unit of the family’s choice where the owner agrees to rent under the program. This unit may include the family’s present residence. Rental units must meet minimum standards of health and safety, as determined by the PHA.

A housing subsidy is paid to the landlord directly by the PHA on behalf of the participating family. The family then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program. Under certain circumstances, if authorized by the PHA, a family may use its voucher to purchase a modest home.

Types of Housing Choice Vouchers

Within the Housing Choice Voucher Program, there are several types of Special Purpose Vouchers that PHA’s may administer. Caribou Housing Authority is currently administering the following voucher types:

  • Housing Choice Vouchers, assist individuals and families who are very low-income.
  • Mainstream Vouchers, assist very-low income non-elderly persons with disabilities.
  • Foster Youth to Independence Vouchers, assist youth at least 18 years and not more than 24 years of age who have left foster care, or will leave foster care within 90 days, and are homeless or are at risk of homeless at age 16 or older