HANH administers Section 8 vouchers to its clients to subsidize housing in the private market. The goal of the Section 8 Rental Assistance Program is to provide affordable, decent and safe housing for low-income families, while increasing their residential mobility and choice. 

Answers to the most commonly-asked questions for tenants and landlords are available below. For more information on Section 8, visit HUD's Housing Choice Voucher's website.

TENANTS

How do I apply for Section 8?

Persons interested in this program who meet the necessary income qualifications may apply directly to HANH or any other local public housing authority to receive a Section 8 rental certificate or voucher.  The certificate or voucher represents a payment subsidy, which is the difference between a rent payment that the family can afford to make (generally 30% of adjusted income) and the actual rent for the unit.
 

Where can I use my voucher?

Section 8 vouchers are "portable": they can be used outside the boundaries of the public housing authority that originally admits a family. Many of HANH's Section 8 applicants have found residence in "non-impacted" neighborhoods either on the outskirts of New Haven or in surrounding suburban towns. Additionally, HANH sponsors the establishment of site-specific supportive housing for Section 8 residents, including facilities for the elderly and the disabled.

What do I do if my landlord won't accept my voucher?

By law, landlords are not allowed to discriminate against tenants who wish to use Section 8 vouchers to pay their rent.  However, New Haven's tight housing market, combined with its large stock of substandard housing, often make it difficult to find suitable dwellings that can be rented for the fair market price.  In practice, this situation means that HANH regularly does not allocate all of its vouchers in a given year.  If you cannot locate a suitable rental property, or if your landlord will not accept your voucher, consult HANH's Service Center at 360 Orange Street, New Haven.

LANDLORDS

What are the advantages of housing Section 8 clients?

Section 8 Rental Assistance has benefits for low-income families and also for landlords. Landlords have lower vacancy rates and a guaranteed source of rent regardless of a tenant's potential loss of income.  Because of HANH's stringent occupancy requirements (which include an extensive background check), landlords are also ensured good clients occupying their units.

What does HANH require from its Section 8 landlords?

HUD regulations require HANH to inspect all potential Section 8 units to ensure that they are "decent, safe and sanitary" according to federal standards.  A complete list of these requirements are available by contacting HANH.

What is supportive housing?  How can I get involved?

HANH wishes to help facilitate the funding of supportive housing programs for the New Haven area by providing Section 8 Project-Based vouchers to units in existing and/or new developments that are linked to supportive housing services.  Managers or developers of units that will be set-aside for occupany by tenants eligible for both a supportive housing program and Section 8 vouchers may submit proposals to HANH for rental assistance that would be directly tied to the unit, rather than to an individual. Contact HANH for more information.

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The Housing Authority of the City of New Haven
360 Orange Street
PO Box 1912
New Haven, CT 06511

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