These frequently asked questions (FAQs) are intended to provide housing assistance seekers and current Housing choice voucher participants answers to routine questions to aid in decision making. Note that this resource will be updated periodically as additional questions are asked and addressed and as new and revised HUD requirements and guidance are made available.
1. What is the Housing Choice Voucher Program?
The Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) is a federally funded, locally administered rental assistance program that helps low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities afford decent, safe housing in the private market. The participant is free to choose any housing type that meets the requirements of the program. Rockville Housing Enterprises, Inc. receives funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer the Housing Choice Voucher Program in The City of Rockville.
2. How does the HCV program work for a family?
Once RHE qualifies an HCV waitlist applicant for the program. The qualified family receives a Housing Choice voucher. The family then is responsible for finding a suitable housing unit where the owner agrees to rent under the program. (This unit may include the family’s present residence, lease in place.) RHE then pays a housing subsidy directly to the landlord on behalf of the participating family. The family is responsible for paying the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program directly to the landlord. In addition, the family will be responsible for their utility costs as listed, described in the lease agreement.
3. Who can get a Housing Choice Voucher?
The program assists mostly very low-income families. RHE selects families from its waiting list, determines their eligibility, their voucher size, and the amount of assistance they will receive, and gives them a Voucher. The voucher term is for a maximum of 90 days with an additional 30 days upon request of an extension. The extension request must be supported by proof of documentation of the housing search.
4. Who can be ineligible for the Housing assistance program? Who can be denied Housing assistance?
RHE will conduct a background check on all adults in the household from the age of 18 and older. If a household member is a lifetime sex offender or a manufacturer and producer of methamphetamine, he will not be eligible for housing assistance or the Housing Choice Program.
5. How does the Housing Authority help people in need of housing assistance?
The Housing Authority can help by paying a portion of your rent directly to your landlord through the Housing Choice Voucher Program, this program is funded by the United States through Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
6. How can I get Housing assistance?
All households in need of rental assistance at a privately owned unit must first apply to the Rockville Housing Enterprises Inc. Housing Choice Voucher Program Waiting List. When your name is selected, you will be asked to complete an application so that your eligibility for the Housing Choice Voucher Program can be determined. Additional instructions will be provided to you at that time.
You can also seek information by emailing RHE at waitlist@rockvillehe.org.
7. How do I apply to the RHE Waiting List?
The Housing Choice Voucher Program is currently open and opens periodically on an as-needed basis. When the Waiting List is re-opened, a public announcement is placed in area newspapers, and information is posted on RHE’s website. Instructions to apply are also available upon request, by calling the office, coming to the office, and emailing waitlist@rockvillehe.org.
Instructions are also available on the website.
8. How long will it take for me to be selected from the Waiting List?
The wait depends on the rate of turnover in the rental assistance programs and the level of funding made available by HUD. In many cases, you may have to wait for more than a year before getting selected.
Please note selection is random, and system generated. The family selected must respond within the selected deadline. Failure to do so may result in having their name removed from the waiting list.
9. How can I check my status on the Waiting List?
To check your waitlist status, please log in to your portal (Rent Cafe) and select “Waiting List Status”. You can either log in as an applicant (applicant Portal) or a current resident (resident Portal).
10. What happens when my name is selected?
RHE will notify you by mail, and email through the Rent Café portal informing you that your name has been selected from the Waiting List and that RHE is ready to begin the eligibility process. You will be asked to complete an Intake Application and submit the required information;
Eligible families will be invited to view the offered unit and confirm their interest in leasing the selected unit. Selected families may deny the unit or accept the unit to start the application review process.
11. What happens if I do not receive the eligibility notification letter?
It is important for waiting list families to periodically update their contact information, phone number, email, and physical addresses through the portal or to inform RHE of all changes while on the Waiting List. If you fail to respond because you did not receive the letter or if the letter is returned as undeliverable, RHE will proceed down the waiting list and remove your name from the Waiting List. Please contact the waitlist department if you have any changes to report via email at waitlist@rockvillehe.org.
12. After I submit my intake application, how long will it be until I receive housing assistance?
It could take several weeks or months to process your application, verify your eligibility, and issue you a voucher for rental assistance. You can shorten the time it takes by promptly submitting all documentation requested by RHE through the portal.
RHE strongly advised families to use the Rent Café portal for any notification and information submission.
13. What happens when you issue my Voucher?
When you are issued a Voucher for rental assistance, you must attend a Voucher Briefing. Briefings are held via Zoom every Wednesday at 11 AM. The voucher specialist hosting the call will send an email notification to all attendees. The voucher specialist will review the requirements of the program and provide valuable information to assist you in your housing search.
14. After I attended the Voucher Briefing and received my Voucher, what do I do to begin receiving rental assistance?
To begin receiving housing assistance, you must first do the following
Find a unit you agree to rent from a landlord willing to participate in the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
You and the landlord must sign a Request for Tenancy Approval (RTA) form and submit it to RHE.
The rent must pass the rent reasonableness and the affordability test;
The rent to owner and utility allowances costs must be within the payment standard limit of the selected unit for the corresponding zip code.
The tenant rent portion to the landlord must not exceed 50% of the family’s annual income otherwise it will be subject to a denial
An inspection of the unit by RHE will be scheduled. The unit you selected must pass the NSPIRE inspection and meet the requirements of RHE
You will be approved to move in after submitting an executed lease agreement to RHE
15. How much will my rent be?
Your portion of rent paid to the owner is based on the household annual income calculated by RHE based on proof of income provided to RHE. The family share rent will be either the minimum rent of $50, for elderly and disabled persons or $150 for non-elderly and one disabled family. The family rent share will also be from a minimum of 30% to a maximum of 50% and cannot exceed 50% of the family-adjusted monthly income.
16. What is the National Standard (NSPIRE) Inspection?
NSPIRE has national minimum standards established by HUD to ensure that subsidized units are safe, decent, and sanitary. The unit must pass the NSPIRE inspection before a family rent subsidy can begin. HQS includes requirements such as all utilities (gas, electric, water) must be working, windows and doors must have locks that work, all plumbing fixtures must work and there are no leaks, and the unit is in good condition overall.
17. Does the Housing Authority pay my rental assistance to me or the property owner?
The Housing Authority sends your rental assistance to the owner on the first week of each month using Direct Deposit. You must also pay your share of the rent each month directly to the owner. Failure to do so may lead to your termination from the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
18. What happens if my income or family composition changes after I begin receiving rental assistance?
Whenever your income changes or you have a change in family composition (persons moving in or out of your household) you are required to report the change to the Housing Authority in writing by submitting an interim application within 10 business days. The Housing Authority will determine if and when a change in rent is required and you will be notified in writing. A rent change notice will be sent to the landlord and tenant via email, mail, or on the phone).
19. How often is my income reviewed?
a) Every household that receives housing assistance must undergo a periodic income and eligibility reexamination. Reviews are conducted every 3 years (triennial basis) for workable families, annually for zero-income families and non-wage income families, and at the family’s request to relocate.
b) Changes in income must be reported in writing to RHE by submitting an interim application with all supporting documentation within 10 days of occurrence.
c) Approximately 90 days before your scheduled reexamination date, you will receive a letter and forms to complete and return with all required information such as full pages of all asset statements, Income information, school attendance verifications, and medical expenses if applicable to verify your income and continued eligibility for the Program.
d) When you receive this request for information, you must respond by the due date stated in the letter. Failure to do so may lead to termination of your housing assistance.
20. How often is my unit inspected?
RHE will conduct an NSPIRE inspection at the initial lease, at the family’s request (Special inspection), and on a bi-annual schedule to ensure the unit continues to meet NSPIRE Standards.
You and your landlord will receive a letter from RHE if the unit does not pass inspection. The letter will list the items requiring repair and will give the landlord a date by which the repairs must be corrected.
The Housing Authority may abate (stop) the Housing Assistance Payment to the owner if the violations are not corrected within the time limit given.
The Housing Authority may terminate the tenant’s assistance if tenant-caused NSPIRE violations are not corrected. A 30-day notice will be provided to you and the landlord regarding RHE’s termination of assistance.
21. What happens if my unit needs repairs?
You should notify the owner immediately if your unit needs repair. If the owner fails to respond, contact the RHE at 301-424-6265 ext. 100 or contact your voucher specialist directly via email or phone.
22. How long can I remain in the Housing Choice Voucher Program?
Current Program rules allow you to continue to receive housing assistance as long as you are income-eligible and as long as you fulfill your tenant obligations established by HUD for the Housing Choice Program. You will lose your assistance when your income rises to the point that your portion of the rent matches or exceeds the full amount of the rent, or if you are terminated from the Program for violating the rules.
23. What if I want to move at the end of my lease?
Before you can move to another unit and continue to receive your housing assistance, you must complete your tenant obligations under your current lease. This includes giving the property owner a proper 30-day or 60-day notice to vacate as stipulation in the lease agreement and sending a copy of the notice to RHE. Your specialist will send you a letter with information on what you need to do to receive a Transfer Voucher.
24. What if the owner wants me to vacate the unit?
Your owner may request that you move at the end of your lease term by giving you a 90-day notice. If you receive a written notice to vacate the unit, call your voucher specialist who will advise you on the steps needed for you to receive a Transfer Voucher.
You need to fulfill your lease obligations and pay your rent on time each month. If you violate any of your lease provisions, the owner may serve a notice for lease violations, in which case you may no longer be eligible for the Program. Contact your Voucher Specialist as soon as you receive any written notice from your landlord.