| HCV |
| The Housing Choice Voucher Program |
The Rosenberg Housing Authority’s (RHA) Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program allows low-income families to rent quality housing in the private market via federal funds provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Through the HCV Program, the RHA pays a portion of eligible families’ rent each month. These payments are made directly to the property owner/manager. The participant then pays the landlord a portion of rent (the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program) based on approximately 30% of their monthly household income.
Participating families can use their vouchers to rent a house or apartment from private property owners throughout the city. This program helps families realize their potential and cultivate their personal, economic and social skills to support the transition from subsidized to non-subsidized housing.
WAIT LIST
Once an application is complete, applicants must keep it active by updating changes in income, family size, address, and phone number.
The electronic pre-applications that have been completed and submitted electronically, will be chosen and placed on the waiting list using a random (computer selected) lottery system and according to RHA preference(s). The applicant may log into the online system and check their status for placement on the waiting list.
Placement on the waiting list does not indicate that the family is, in fact, eligible for assistance. A final determination of eligibility will be made when the family is selected from the waiting list and a full and completed application is received.
The RHA will provide a local residency preference for Rosenberg, TX & Richmond, TX:
• Residents within the preference area
• Applicants working or have been notified to work in the preference area
• Graduates of, or active participants in, education and training programs within the preference area designed to prepare individuals in the job market
The RHA local residency preference does not have the purpose or effect of delaying or otherwise denying admission to the program based on the race, ethnic origin, gender identity, religion, disability, or age of any member of an applicant family.
Order of the Waiting List may change depending upon qualification for a given preference.
The average wait for housing is approximately one year. Once an application is complete, applicants must keep it active by updating changes in income, family size, address, and phone number.
APPLICATIONS
The waiting list is currently closed.
The RHA will announce the reopening of the waiting list at least 30 calendar days prior to the date applications will first be accepted. If the list is only being reopened for certain categories of families, this information will be contained in the public announcement.
The RHA will give public notice by publishing the relevant information in suitable media outlets including, but not limited to: Fort Bend Herald, Good News Monthly, Fort Bend Spotlight, www.rosenbergha.org
The pre-application must be filled out online during the designated time periods. No paper pre-applications will be taken. The electronic pre-application must be filled out completely and submitted using an online portal. Only one pre-application can be completed per Head of Household. Duplicates will be disqualified.
When applicants are selected to receive assistance, they will be invited to an interview to verify their income and assets. They will need to furnish birth certificates and social security cards for all family members.
The RHA waiting list opened June 2022. See the homepage for details.
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants to the HCV Program must meet a number of requirements.
To qualify for the program, applicants must have an income at or below 50% of the area median income (AMI) based on their family size as shown below:
Applicants must also:
• Pass a criminal background check
• Submit to release of information for the verification process
• Be a US Citizen or have Eligible Immigration Status
• Provide Social Security Numbers for all Family members
INTERVIEWS
The RHA will notify the family by first class mail or electronically through AssistanceCheck when it is selected from the waiting list. The notice will inform the family of the following:
• Date, time, and location of the scheduled application interview, including any procedures for rescheduling the interview
• Who is required to attend the interview
• All documents that must be provided at the interview, including information about what constitutes acceptable documentation
Families selected from the waiting list are required to participate in an eligibility interview. Eligibility for the program and any preference is determined during the interview process.
The head of household and the spouse/cohead will be strongly encouraged to attend the interview together. Verification of information pertaining to adult members of the household not present at the interview will not begin until they attend the interview and sign release forms.
Verification of claimed preference(s) will occur during the application interview process. The applicant must provide the RHA with information needed to verify their qualifications for preference(s). If the RHA determines the family is ineligible for the claimed preference(s), the applicant will return to the waiting list in its appropriate position.
The family must provide the information necessary to establish the family’s eligibility and determine the appropriate level of assistance, as well as completing required forms, providing required signatures, and submitting required documentation. If any materials are missing, the RHA will provide the family with a written list of items that must be submitted.
An advocate, interpreter, or other assistant may assist the family with the application and the interview process.
If the family is unable to attend a scheduled interview, the family should contact the RHA in writing to reschedule a new appointment. Applicants who fail to contact the RHA in writing to reschedule a new appointment will be denied assistance. Applicants who fail to attend two scheduled interviews, without RHA approval, will be denied assistance based on the family’s failure to supply information needed to determine eligibility.