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Housing Choice Voucher (FAQs)

What are housing choice vouchers?
The housing choice voucher program provides assistance to very-low-income families including, 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 suitable housing, including single-family homes, townhouses and apartments.

The participant is free to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program.

The County of Volusia (PHA) receives federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer the Housing Choice Voucher Program.

Participants that are issued a housing voucher are responsible for finding a suitable housing unit of the participant's choice where the owner agrees to rent under the program. This unit may include the participant's present residence. The PHA strongly encourages participants to search for housing outside economically distressed areas. All units must meet minimum standards of health and safety.

A housing assistance 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 portion of rent by the program. If a participant qualifies for our FSS Homeownership Option, he/she may utilize the voucher to purchase a home.

Am I eligible?
The PHA determines eligibility for a housing choice voucher, based on the household annual gross income and composition. Unfortunately, it is limited to US citizens and specified categories of non-citizens who have eligible immigration status. The PHA must provide 75 percent of its voucher to applicants whose incomes do not exceed 30 percent of the area median income.

How do I apply?
Written applications are accepted only during an open waiting list period. When the waiting list becomes open, all relevant information will be advertised in the local newspapers and posted on this website.

During the open waiting list period, the PHA will collect information on the household income, assets, and composition. All applicants will be placed on a waiting list by the date and time applications were received (there are no local preferences).
Once selected from the waiting list, the applicant will be offered an opportunity to interview to determine eligibility for the program. The PHA third party verifies an applicant’s information with other local agencies, law enforcement, employer and bank. If determined eligible, an applicant will be invited to attend a briefing for issuance of the housing choice voucher.

Housing vouchers - how do they function?
The housing choice voucher program places the choice of housing in the hands of the participant. Each family selected by the PHA to participate is encouraged to consider several housing choices to secure the best housing for their needs. A Housing Choice Voucher holder is advised of the unit size which it is eligible for based on the PHA subsidy standards.

The PHA determines a payment standard that is the amount generally needed to rent a moderately priced dwelling unit in their jurisdiction. It is used to calculate the amount of housing assistance a family will receive. However the payment standard does not suggest the contract rent the landlord may charge.
The housing voucher family must pay at least 30% of its monthly adjusted gross income for rent and utilities, and if the unit rent is greater than the payment standard the family is required to pay the additional amount. However, whenever a family moves to a new unit, the family may not pay more than 40% of its adjusted monthly income for rent and utilities.

The PHA will deny a Request for Tenancy Approval, if it would create a rent burden for the family. The housing unit selected by the family must also, meet the PHA’s Housing Quality Standards prior to the unit being approved. When the voucher holder finds a unit that it wishes to occupy and reaches an agreement with the landlord over the lease terms, the PHA must inspect the dwelling and determine that the rent requested is reasonable.

What is the rent subsidy?
The PHA calculates the maximum amount the PHA will pay on the family’s behalf. The maximum housing assistance is equal to the payment standard minus total tenant payment.

What are the subsidy standards?
The PHA subsidy standards define the bedroom size assigned on the voucher. The PHA assigns two persons to a bedroom except in the following situations:

  • Adult persons of the opposite sex who do not share intimate relations with the head of household are given a bedroom.
  • Children of the opposite sex, four (4) years of age or older are given a bedroom.
  • Live-in aide will be provided a bedroom. No additional bedrooms will be provided for family members of a live-in aide.

Reasonable accommodation for an extra bedroom will be granted if approved by PHA.

How is Rent Determined?
There are several factors that determine the total tenant payment Click here for fact sheet.

When calculating an applicant/participant portion of rent, the following items are considered:

  • Payment Standard – The PHA will use the lesser of the payment standard applicable for the unit size.
  • Annual Income – The PHA will use the greater of actual earnings or proposed earnings.
  • Utility Deduction – The PHA will use the utility schedule for the actual unit size.
  • Contract Rent of Unit.

Can I move and continue to receive housing choice voucher assistance?

Participants housing needs change over time and due to changes in family size, job locations, and many other reasons. The housing choice voucher program is designed to allow families the flexibility to move without the loss of housing assistance. Moves are permissible as long as the family notifies the PHA and receives PHA approval prior to terminating its existing lease within the lease. Participants can choose to lease within the jurisdiction or utilize the portability option.
Click here for Portability FAQs

Are there other Public Housing Agencies in Volusia County?
Yes, there are four other Public Housing Agencies in Volusia County. In addition to Housing Choice Voucher, many of them offer public housing units. They are listed as follows:

Daytona Beach Housing Authority 386-253-5653
Ormond Beach Housing Authority 386-677-2069
DeLand Housing Authority 386-736-1696
New Smyrna Beach Housing Authority 386-428-8171

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