Program Information
To participate, a family must meet all eligibility requirements.
For more information regarding the Section 8 Voucher Program please visit the Housing Choice Voucher Fact Sheet.
- U.S. Citizenship or Eligible Immigration Status
- Gross Annual Income does not exceed the Income Limits (2026)
- No indebtedness to any Housing Authority
- Has not committed fraud, misrepresentation or falsification of information
- No history of violent criminal activity
Program Topics and Participant Responsibilities
Compliance with Program Rules
- Following all rules related to income, family composition, and lease agreements.
- Living in the unit as their primary residence and not subletting it.
- Only allowing family members listed on the voucher to reside in the unit.
Lease Compliance
- Paying rent on time.
- Taking good care of the unit and avoiding damage beyond normal wear and tear.
- Adhering to all other lease terms.
Reporting Changes
- Timely reporting of changes in income, assets, family composition, or any other relevant information to the Housing Authority.
- Promptly notifying the Housing Authority about plans to move out, extended absences, or ending the lease.
Annual Recertification
- Completing an annual review to ensure continued program eligibility.
- Providing all necessary information about the family's income and assets.
Inspections
- Allowing inspectors to enter the unit for regular inspections and those related to complaints or emergencies.
Maintaining the Unit
- Keeping the unit in a decent condition.
- Allowing property owners to make necessary repairs.
Other Obligations
- Providing accurate information to the Housing Authority or HUD, including evidence of citizenship or eligible immigration status.
- Disclosing and verifying Social Security numbers.
- Signing consent forms for obtaining information.
- Not engaging in drug-related or violent criminal activity or other activities that threaten the safety of others.
- Promptly notifying the Housing Authority of any eviction notices from the owner.
- The initial voucher term shall be at least sixty (60) calendar days. The initial term shall be stated on the voucher.
- The Housing Authority will automatically approve one 60-day extension upon written request from the family.
- All requests for voucher term extensions must be made in writing and submitted to the Housing Authority prior to the expiration of the voucher.
- Any request for an additional extension must include the basis for the request. The Housing Authority may require the family to provide documentation to support the request or obtain third-party verification. The Housing Authority will approve additional extensions if necessary as a reasonable accommodation of a disability or due to circumstances beyond the family’s control.
- If the family requests an extension as a reasonable accommodation of a disability, the Housing Authority must extend the voucher term up to the term reasonably required for that purpose.
- The Housing Authority shall provide for suspension of the initial or any extended voucher term from the date the family submits a RFTA until the date the Housing Authority notifies the family in writing whether the request has been approved or denied.
- During the initial or any extended voucher term, the Housing Authority may require the family to report progress in leasing a unit.
- If the voucher term expires, the family is automatically terminated with no right to an Informal Hearing and may reapply for assistance when the Section 8 Waiting list reopens.
The owner's requested rent for the unit. The requested Contract Rent cannot exceed what MHA determines to be the reasonable rent when compared to the market.
The amount that MHA has determined that the tenant will likely pay for utilities based on annual studies in the area.
The Gross rent is the Contract Rent + the Utility Allowance.
The maximum monthly subsidy payment that HUD determines for each zip code and unit size. Currently, The Middletown Housing Authority payment standard is 110% of the FMR.
The Housing Authority shall pay a monthly HAP to the owner of the unit on behalf of the family that is equal to the lower of the payment standard for the family minus the total tenant payment, or the gross rent minus the total tenant payment.
Total Tenant Payment is the highest of 30% of monthly adjusted income, 10% of monthly income, the housing-cost portion of welfare assistance, or minimum rent.
The size of unit that the Authority has determined the family is eligible.
| Family Unit Size | Persons in Household (minimum – maximum) |
|---|---|
| 0 Bedroom | 1 |
| 1 Bedroom | 1-2 |
| 2 Bedroom | 2-4 |
| 3 Bedroom | 3-6 |
| 4 Bedroom | 4-8 |
| 5 Bedroom | 5-10 |
The Housing Authority will generally assign one bedroom for every two persons within the household. Persons of the opposite sex, other than spouses and children under age 5, will be allocated separate bedrooms. Live-in aides will be allocated a separate bedroom.
The family unit size shall provide for the fewest number of bedrooms needed to house a family without overcrowding.
When Gross Rent is Less than the Payment Standard
When Gross Rent is Greater than the Payment Standard
Example Rent Calculation
Tenancy Addendum
Request for Tenancy Approval
Below are websites that may be able help you with your search for a unit.
- Applicants will not be screened by the Housing Authority for suitability for tenancy.
- Prior to approval of a tenancy, the Housing Authority will inform the Owner that screening and selection for tenancy is the responsibility of the Owner.
- An Owner may consider a family’s background with respect to payment of rent and utility bills, caring for a unit and premises, respecting the rights of other residents, drug-related criminal activity or other criminal activity, and compliance with other essential conditions of tenancy.
- If requested, the Housing Authority will provide the Owner with the family’s current and prior address and the name and address of the landlord at the family’s current and prior address, if known.
- The Owner is responsible for the screening and selection of the family to occupy the Owner’s unit.
- The Housing Authority has no liability or responsibility to the Owner or other persons for the family’s behavior or suitability for tenancy.
What Is Portability?
Portability is the ability of a family to move from a PHA’S (Public Housing Authority’s) jurisdiction to a location in another housing authority’s jurisdiction.
Who is eligible?
Any voucher holder that is in good standing with the housing authority and are not subject to any restrictions.
Are there restrictions?
Yes. You are required to live in the jurisdiction of the Housing Authority issuing your Section 8 Voucher for the first 12 months of that assistance.
Where can I transfer?
A family can Port to a housing authority anywhere in the United States that is administering a tenant-based program. If there is no housing agency to administer your voucher, the housing authority can deny portability to that area.
What should you do?
You must notify your Housing Authority of your desire to move under portability and where you want to move. The Housing Authority will counsel the family on proper procedures and contact the receiving housing authority when applicable.
Will the programs work the same?
Yes and no. All programs are governed according to Federal Regulations, but housing authorities may create their own rules and Voucher Payment Standards vary from one housing authority to another.
Advantages
Portability gives you more options without sacrificing rental assistance. If you live in a high poverty area, portability enables you to get away from those areas. Better living conditions usually means lower crime rates, better public services, better schools, and better shopping areas.
The Housing Authority and/or owners will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and/or participants with disabilities, provided that the requested accommodations do not fundamentally alter the nature of the program, service, or activity, and do not cause an undue financial or administrative burden.
A reasonable accommodation is a change, exception, or adjustment to a policy, practice, or service that may be necessary for a person with a disability to have an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling, including public and common use spaces. A reasonable accommodation is also a modification or alteration of a dwelling unit or physical system that may be necessary for a person with a disability to have an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling.
When the Housing Authority receives a reasonable accommodation request, and the need for the requested accommodation is not readily apparent or known to the Housing Authority, the applicant/participant will be requested to provide supporting documentation from a physician, psychiatrist, or other medical professional.
Applicants and/or participants shall submit reasonable accommodation requests to the Housing Authority in writing. The Housing Authority will promptly consider reasonable accommodation requests on a case-by-case basis. The applicant/participant will be notified of the Housing Authority’s decision in writing.
The Housing Authority will handle all reasonable accommodation requests and all associated data, information, documentation, and files in a confidential manner.