S8/Voucher Application Addendum - suggestions?

Question

I'm trying to streamline our screening and application process.

Typically 50% of our applicants have vouchers or some sort of public assistance and it tends get very time consuming trying to figure out exactly what benefits the applicants actually are entitled to as many of them aren't especially clear.

I put together the draft form below as an addendum to our application.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Rick

Marcia Maynard · Answer

I appreciate your offer to share the form with me. The telephone interview I have with prospective tenants generally weeds out those who are dreamers and those who are not being honest. I guess it's because I've worked with our local HA for so many years, I understand their process much better than the prospective tenants do. It does take more time to complete the necessary paperwork when partnering with the HA, but I haven't had any applicants begin the process who did not qualify. We have had to be flexible about holding the unit until all the paperwork is complete, but it's been worth it. Our Section 8 tenants tend to stay a very long time.... like 10 - 20+ years!

Sarah Ziehr · Answer

Hi Rick,

First- I would never take a property off the market until after you have a lease signed, the first months rent and the security deposit in the form of a cashiers check.

Second- I don't know how it works in your area, but in Chicago we ask "Do you have a voucher?" and "How much is it for". If they don't have a voucher or the voucher is for below the rent amount, then I would end the discussion right there.

Instead of the addendum, you may just ask for a copy of the voucher or paperwork from their caseworker to accompany the application.

I hope that helps and good luck!

Rick Bassett · Answer

Marcia,

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll be happy to share the form when it's completed.

We had so many false starts/stops with applicants who qualify for assistance as either their impression of what is going to happen is totally wrong or they've been downright dishonest on things like # bedrooms authorized or % of the assistance they will have to pay. Some clients think that they can easily talk the housing authority (HA) into authorizing another bedroom, while the HA caseworkers that I've talked to say that it isn't that simple.

It's difficult for us to determine a HA Client  can afford to be in one of our properties (qualifying them on income sources) without knowing how much they have to pay towards their rent, utilities etc. While it's very easy for us to determine that info on the Fair Market Prospects.

We really don't want to take our property off the market and move forward with someone if they can't afford to be in there, only to start over again/

We may lose prospective tenants on assistance by requiring this info but with the absence of data we can't approve them away. A conundrum indeed.

Rick

Marcia Maynard · Answer

@Rick Bassett I like your idea! When the form is done I would love to get a copy of it for our use too!

I would change paragraph two, line one to read "..... form of legal payment or legal source of income.", as this corresponds with laws in some jurisdictions that say we can not discriminate on the basis of source of legal income. Then I would start a new sentence for "We strive to work with....."

I would change paragraph two line two, to read "For prospective tenants with vouchers or public assistance program benefits, we need some additional information to verify program eligibility, type of benefit and amount."

I would also ask a question specifically about utility subsidies. This is because some tenants receive housing assistance from more than one agency, such as rent assistance with housing choice vouchers from Section 8 and utility assistance from LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program) federal grants. Perhaps add the line: "Party responsible for paying utilities [  ] Tenant / [  ] Program ________________________"

I would however let a tenant apply and provide standard documentation and award letters to get the application process started, as they may need additional time to connect with their caseworker to secure participation in filling out this form. It would be a shame if the prospective tenant's chances were dashed because their application was delayed by a caseworker who was slow to get it done. If the caseworker fills it out, then require a signature and date from the caseworker.  Another option would be to have the applicant fill out the form and verify it by contacting the caseworker/program coordinator yourself.