Section 8 Program Frequently Asked Questions - English

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1.00 - General Questions

• 1.01) Are you accepting Section 8 applications?

  Not at this time. OCHA (Osceola County Housing Agency) will advertise in the local newspapers such as Orlando Sentinel, Osceola News Gazette, Osceola Star, etc as well as on our website at housing.osceola.org when we resume taking applications.

• 1.02) Why does the OCHA (Osceola County Housing Agency) have a waiting list?

  Since the demands for affordable housing, specifically federally-subsidized rental programs such as Section 8, usually exceeds available limited resources, OCHA, like other housing authorities, maintains a waiting list. Because of the volume of people who need housing assistance, OCHA periodically re-opens its waiting list for new applications.

  Note: Submission of an application does not guarantee that housing will be offered.

• 1.03) Why does OCHA (Osceola County Housing Agency) accept so many applications if there isn't enough housing?

  Families in our subsidized rental housing programs, such as Section 8 can remain in the program as long as they adhere to program rules and regulations. We generally have a small turnover of housing units on an annual basis and expect to offer housing to a small percentage of applicants who apply. We allow the opportunity for anyone to apply, but however; it does not guarantee that housing will be provided.

• 1.04) Is the application only in English?

  Yes! We are currently making strides to provide the applications in Spanish as well as Creole.

• 1.05) How does OCHA determine the ranking for the waiting list?

  Your name will be placed in a pool and drawn randomly using a lottery system.

• 1.06) I've moved since I submitted my application, should I notify OCHA (Osceola County Housing Agency)?

  It is very important that you keep your address information up to date. If your address has changed, you must notify OCHA in writing by mail, update your online account, or visit our office located at:

  Osceola County Housing Agency
  330 N. Beaumont Ave.
  Kissimmee, FL 34741

  We are open Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:00a.m. and 5:00p.m.

• 1.07) I've (gotten married, had a baby, adopted a child, divorced, lost my job, gotten a raise) since I submitted my application. How will this affect me?

  If your family size changed you must notify OCHA in writing. The addition or removal of family members may change your bedroom size, but your ranking will always stay the same. Changes in your income may affect your eligibility or rental payments. Changes of income will be processed at the time of eligibility interview.

• 1.08) Do I have to be a citizen to apply for housing assistance?

  No, you do not have to be a citizen; however, you must have eligible immigration status.

• 1.09) What are some of the reasons that could prevent me from getting housing assistance?

  Failed criminal background screening, previous evictions, over income, failure to appear for scheduled appointments, failure to provide necessary documents to determine eligibility.

• 1.10) What is the maximum amount of income that I can earn in order to qualify for Section 8 assistance?

  Please refer to the Income Guideline Chart below.

  Household Size	Very-Low Income	Low Income
  1	$12,750	$21,250
  2	$14,550	$24,300
  3	$16,400	$27,300
  4	$18,200	$30,350
  5	$19,650	$32,800
  6	$21,100	$35,200
  7	$22,550	$37,650
  8	$24,000	$40,050

2.00 - Participants

• 2.01) What are your current Payment Standards for Vouchers?

  Fair Market Rent FMR - 90% of FMR

  Bedroom Size	* Payment Standards
  0	$714
  1	$776
  2	$886
  3	$1,110
  4	$1,307
  5	$1,503
  6	$1,699

  * Please note that the payment standard includes all utilities.

• 2.02) Is OCHA currently absorbing?

  OCHA is currently billing, not absorbing, incoming portable vouchers.

  * OCHA: Osceola County Housing Agency.

• 2.03) I’m interested in transferring to your housing agency, what would be my next step?

  You must notify your housing authority and request to submit a Portability Package. Portability Packages should be mailed to our office

  Osceola County Housing Agency
  330 N. Beaumont Ave.
  Kissimmee, FL 34741.

  Portability Packages will NOT be accepted via fax.

  Once all the documents have been received and reviewed, depending on your Agency’s payment standards, an appointment letter will be mailed to you.

• 2.04) What documents should I bring to my first appointment?

  Proof of income, Birth Certificates, Social Security Cards, Photo Identification, and any pertinent documents that pertain to you. A checklist will be mailed to you along with your appointment letter.

• 2.05) When will my inspection be scheduled?

  Once we are in receipt of your Request for Tenancy Approval and the landlord is processed in our system, an inspection will be scheduled.

• 2.06) If I missed my inspection appointment, what should I do?

  Please contact the Inspection Department at 407-742-8400 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to reschedule.

• 2.07) I have an income or composition change, what should I do?

  Any changes must be reported within 10 days of the change. An Interim Form must be completed and must include any supporting documents. This form is available upon request in the receptionist area located at:

  Osceola County Housing Agency
  330 N. Beaumont Ave.
  Kissimmee, FL 34741

• 2.08) I received a Termination Letter, what do I do?

  You have 10 business days from the receipt of the letter to respond in writing to request a hearing.

• 2.09) I have not received my recertification packet, may I have another one?

  Yes, you may come into our office located at 330 N. Beaumont Ave., Kissimmee, FL 34741 and pick one up. Only the head of household may pick up the recertification package with proper identification.

• 2.10) What is the maximum amount of income that I can earn in order to continue qualifying for Section 8 assistance?

  There is no set maximum amount. Your portion of the rent is based on 30% of your income.

• 2.11) I need copies of documents that are in my file, will they be provided?

  Yes, you must put in a request in writing. Your request will be processed within 24 to 48 business hours; there will also be a $0.10 per page fee.

3.00 - Landlords

• 3.01) I am interested in listing my property(s) on your Section 8 program. How can I go about doing that?

  A Landlord Registration Packet can be picked up at our office located at:

  Osceola County Housing Agency
  330 N. Beaumont Ave.
  Kissimmee, FL 34741

  You may do so between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. If you live outside our jurisdiction, a packet can be mailed to you. If you have any questions please contact our office at 407-742-8400.

• 3.02) What is the Section 8 Program?

  The Section 8 Program is a federal rent subsidy which assists participants with monthly rental payments. The Section 8 Program is to ensure that the families have a safe, decent and sanitary place to live. The OCHA administers funds received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (U.S. HUD) and distributes them in the form of Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers to eligible families and individuals.

  A Voucher allows participating households (tenants) to rent housing that meets their needs. The tenant pays a portion of the rent directly to the landlord. OCHA pays the landlord the difference between the tenant's portion of the rent and the total rental amount.

• 3.03) What are my responsibilities as a Landlord?

  You will be responsible for screening the families to determine if they will be good renters, complying with fair housing laws and not discriminating, making repairs that are not tenant-caused in a timely manner, complying with the terms of the Housing Assistance Program (HAP) contract, and collecting the rent due by the tenant, and otherwise enforcing the lease.

  You will be required to attend a Landlord Orientation Session that will address every aspect of the program and erase any misconceptions.

• 3.04) How much rent may I ask for?

  Please refer to the Payment Standards for Vouchers located within your Landlord Packet. Please note that this payment standard includes all utilities.

• 3.05) What happens once I've selected a tenant?

  Once you have selected a tenant you must complete their Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) form and submit it to our office. When the RFTA has been received, we will call you to schedule an inspection of the property. The landlord must be present for this inspection. If the unit passes inspection and the rent is approved, you and the tenant sign the Lease, and you sign a concurrent Housing Assistance Payments Contract (HAP) with the OCHA.

  If the unit does not pass inspection, we will allow up to ten (10) working days for correction of the repair items. A re-inspection will be necessary to confirm that the corrections have been made. Tenants have only 120 days to find housing before they risk losing their Voucher, so repairs must be made in a timely manner.

• 3.06) How much of the rent is paid by the tenant?

  That depends on a number of factors including the income of the Section 8 Family, the deductions to which the Section 8 participant is entitled, the number of people in the household which determines their voucher size, the applicable payment standard and the utility allowance for the chosen unit. Generally speaking, the tenant will pay between 30% and 40% of their monthly-adjusted income for their rent.

• 3.07) When will I get paid?

  The OCHA (Osceola County Housing Agency) cannot begin paying until after the unit passes inspection. Once the unit passes inspection, we will processed the case and generate a HAP (Housing Assistance payment) contract and mail it to the landlord. Upon receipt of the signed HAP contract and lease, payment will be processed.

• 3.08) How do I request an increase in rent?

  The lease establishes the rental amount for the period covered by the lease. To request an increase in rent, the landlord must request the increase in writing to both the tenant and housing agency sixty (60) days before the lease expires. The housing agency will conduct another rent reasonable survey to see if the increase can be approved. As long as the rent you are requesting is not above market value, the increase will be considered reasonable. Rent increases will only be approved if they are reasonable and if they are not above the annual adjustment factor provided by HUD.

• 3.09) What if the tenant damages my unit?

  You collect a security deposit for that purpose. You may not charge a Section 8 tenant any more than you would charge a non-Section 8 Tenant. The housing agency does not pay the security deposit. If the damages exceed the amount of the security deposit, you would need to go to court to get a court order for the remaining amount.