HCV Program Overview
The Section 8 Housing Assistance program was created by the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to assist lower-income families in obtaining a decent place to live at a rent that they can afford. Under this program, the Housing Authority of the City of Meriden (MHA) administers a citywide Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program with more than 842 active Section 8 Vouchers and 400 owners currently participating in the program. Section 8, also known as the Housing Choice Voucher Program, provides funding for rent subsidies for eligible low-income families for decent, safe, and affordable housing. Families can select housing within a neighborhood of their choice from a landlord willing to participate in the program. Rent subsidies (vouchers) allow families to pay a reasonable share of their income toward rent while the program, within specific limits, makes up the difference.
MHA pays part of the rent each month directly to the landlord for an eligible family which has been given a Voucher, in accordance with regulations of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD provides the funding for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. Families select housing of their choice in neighborhoods of their choice. When a prospective apartment is found, the rent must be reasonable relative to comparable market-rate housing in the area, and the apartment must meet Housing Quality Standards (HQS) set by HUD.
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program works as a rent subsidy allowing families to pay a reasonable share of income for rent, with the government making up the difference up to a specific limit. The subsidy paid to the landlord, called a housing assistance payment (HAP), is usually the difference between 30% to 40% of household income and the contract rent.
HCV Program Eligibility
HQS Inspections
Utility Allowance – Effective January 2021
If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Section 8 Staff at 203-235-0157:
Yaritza Vargas, Director of Leased Housing – Ext 7111 or [email protected]
Ed Rodriguez, Leased Housing Specialist – Ext 7112 or [email protected]