There are benefits for landlords who rent to people using the Section 8 housing choice voucher program, and for a limited time McKean County is offering even more incentives.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds the Section 8 program, and The McKean County Housing Authority administers the housing choice voucher program through Section 8. Through the program, low-income families have the ability to find safe, sanitary housing.
“Housing choice voucher is a tenant-based program where the tenant can rent from a private landlord, and the agency subsidizes a portion of the rent based on their income,” explained Casey Buckner, housing choice voucher coordinator for the McKean County Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Buckner outlined the five incentives the agency is currently offering landlords:
• a $500 signing bonus for landlords who are new to the program
• a $500 incentive for landlords who take part in the program and make more units available to program participants
• up to $1,500 reimbursement to bring units up to housing quality standards
• security deposit assistance up to the cost of one month’s rent
• $50 to attend a landlord workshop, which are held once a month via Zoom
The Housing Authority started the landlord incentive program because there is not enough housing for McKean County residents, and the Housing Authority had CARES Act funding available to fund the program.
“We need more landlords. We have a lot of people on our waiting list and have vouchers that aren’t being utilized,” Buckner explained.
She said one of the biggest reasons that landlords are hesitant to offer to work with the Section 8 program is, “A lot of landlords think they don’t have a choice who they rent to.”
However, that is not true, she said. “We encourage them to screen their tenants.”
Buckner added that, once a landlord leases a unit to Section 8, the landlord is not locked into Section 8 once that person moves on.
Landlords “also don’t think they can evict residents” who rent through the Section 8 program, “but they can.”
Buckner provided information on some of the other incentives for landlords to offer housing to families in the Section 8 program.
For one, landlords receive timely assistance payments, as payments from the Housing Authority are direct deposited every month. Also, landlords can expect to get their full rent payment, as the portion of rent paid by the Housing Authority is adjusted if the tenant’s income decreases.
Another bonus for landlords is they receive routine inspections, so it gives them a chance to check the condition of units and learn about maintenance projects that need done.
Also, landlords have a chance to help others in the community, according to Buckner.
“You have the opportunity to help low-income elderly, disabled, and veteran households, as well as families with children by providing affordable housing,” she stated. “More than 50 percent of vouchers serve elderly or non-elderly disabled families. About 45 percent of vouchers assist single-parent families.”
To participate, landlords select a housing choice voucher program participant based on their own rental criteria, then fill out the voucher holder’s Request for Tenancy Approval form.
“The PHA must determine that the proposed rent is reasonable compared to similar units in the marketplace and not higher than those paid by unassisted tenants on the premises,” Buckner noted.
Landlords can contact the Housing Authority to get a landlord application, which also includes a W9 and and Direct Deposit form. Landlords must give proof of ownership.
There is a checklist on the McKean County Redevelopment and Housing Authority website, www.mckeancountyhousing.com, to help landlords prepare for the inspection process.
Anyone with questions can contact Buckner at 814-887-5563 ext. 119 or at cabuckner@mcrha.org.
