PLEASE TURN OFF ALL CELL PHONES AT THIS

PLEASE TURN OFF ALL CELL PHONES AT THIS TIME 1

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE WELCOME TO THE BRIEFING SESSION FOR THE HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM Rev. 08/15/2012 Intake Team 2

This presentation will explain: Housing The Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) Housing Choice Voucher Your What responsibilities as a participant to do next after you receive your voucher 3

What is the Voucher Program? ? ? Provide low to moderate income families and individuals with affordable, safe, decent, and sanitary housing. 4

1. Voucher issued 1(A) Obligations while on the program 2. Family decides where to live 3. Owner approves family 4. HA approves tenancy and unit 5. Contract and Lease signed 6. Housing Assistance Payments begin 5

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Agreement between the HA (Housing Authority) and the participant When the family finds an approvable unit, the HA will assist with rent 7

The Voucher indicates the number of bedrooms/subsidy size for which your family is eligible (rental assistance is prorated for households with ineligible non-citizens). One bedroom will be assigned for every two nucleus household members, regardless of familial status, age or gender. A living room may be used as a bedroom/sleeping space for up to two persons. 8

Are based on the number of nucleus family members listed on the initial voucher Nucleus means: Initial family members Family members added by birth, adoption, court awarded custody, or marriage Non-nucleus members are not assigned a subsidy. Adding additional non-nucleus members will not be approved if it causes the family to be underhoused (overcrowded). 9

Expires 60 days after issuance Port-ins keep their original expiration date If voucher expires, You Lose the Voucher 10

THE FAMILY MUST: Supply required information Disclose Notify Allow Social Security Number(s) the HA when absent from unit inspections Comply with Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Give the HA and Owner notice to move/terminate lease Unit can only be used by the family The unit must be the family’s only residence Notify the HA to add anyone (must receive written approval) Notify Give Pay the HA if anyone moves out the HA a copy of all lease violation notices utility bills you are required to pay under the lease 11

THE FAMILY MUST NOT: Own or have interest in the unit Violate the lease Commit fraud or program violations Commit criminal activity (all family members and guests including minors) Abuse alcohol or Illegal/controlled substances Receive other housing assistance Sublease Assign or transfer lease 12

Voucher expires in 60 days You must submit the Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) to the Riverside County Housing Authority (HA). If you don’t submit an RFTA before your voucher expires, you will lose it. No Extensions New Voucher Holders Transferring (portability) requires written request within 14 days of receiving your voucher 13

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IT IS A CRIME Face fines, jail time and lifetime ban from receiving housing assistance You must report the following in writing within 10 calendar days: Any and all money received by anyone in your home Everyone If living (staying) in your home anyone trades, sells, buys, gives away property 15

You may not: Have unauthorized occupants Violate the lease Make side payments Allow others to use your bank account(s) Allow others to use your unit address as their mailing address REPORT EVERYTHING IN WRITING within ten (10) days!!!!! 16

Complete a Change Reporting Form Must be submitted in writing within 10 days Report the following: Income changes Asset changes Household composition changes 17

READ IT! You are responsible for any crime by any household member or guest including minors Any arrests, citations and/or charges must be reported to the Housing Authority within 10 days. (You DO NOT have to be convicted in court) 18

Can help you get a career, not just a job Can provide you with counseling and supportive services to help you reach your goals Financial incentives as you move forward See flyer if you are interested. 19

1) Pre-termination of Assistance Appointment 2) Intent to Terminate Assistance 3) Assistance is terminated 20

If you reach step 2 you can request an informal hearing. Request must be submitted in writing within 10 days of the Intent to Terminate letter. Hearings are held with Fair Housing Decision(s) at hearing(s) are final 21

Illegal Drug possession, sale, or use by any household member or guest(s) including minors = LOSE ASSISTANCE Violent criminal activities by any household member or guest(s) including minors = LOSE ASSISTANCE (you DO NOT have to be convicted in court) One alcohol-related driving under the influence (DUI) and driving while intoxicated (DWI)= LOSE ASSISTANCE Violence against spouse/property/others = LOSE ASSISTANCE Address used by others for mail = LOSE ASSISTANCE Failure to report changes = LOSE ASSISTANCE Unauthorized occupants = LOSE ASSISTANCE (Guests no more than 14 consecutive days or 30 days in 12 months) Violate the lease agreement = LOSE ASSISTANCE 22

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Adjusted Monthly Income Total Tenant Payment (TTP) Utility Allowance Payment Standard Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) HAP Contract 24

Port in client (you) attend briefing You fill out Eligibility Questionnaire and submit ALL required documentation at briefing Port in Housing Specialist completes: Criminal Background Check and Credit Check If ALL documentation is submitted and everything is approved Riverside County issues voucher If you fail to submit all required documentation or are not able to pass a background and credit check; Riverside County Housing Authority will return you to your initial Public Housing Agency. 25

If you live in Riverside County when a Voucher is issued you can request to move to another agency where there is a Housing Choice Voucher Program Complete and sign Portability Information and Request form Intake Case Worker sends your file to the agency of your choice 26

When deciding where to live think about: School’s Safety Employment Opportunities Child Care Public Transportation High Opportunity areas You can use WWW. GOSECTION 8. COM as a rental listing resource as well as newspapers, internet search, penny saver, etc. You can get a printed listing at the front desk 27

Moving to a good area benefits: Higher quality housing units Greater educational opportunities Better employment opportunities Not moving to a good area, you are more likely to experience the following: Lower earnings Potential Unemployment Single parent households Fewer educational opportunities According to the U. S. Census Bureau, a poverty area is one where at least 20% of residents are poor 28

The following link allows you to locate high opportunity areas within Riverside County. You can locate areas by city, zip code or census tract. HTTP: //COUNTYOFRIVERSIDE. MAPS. ARCGIS. COM/APPS/WEBAPPV IEWER/INDEX. HTML? ID=68 BF 16 A 8228 E 43 B 69 B 8 DC 03 E 89 D 24604 This map displays the HUD Housing Choice Voucher Marketing Opportunity Index for Riverside County The index identifies each tract’s and each block group’s potential opportunity for Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) holders seeking housing. This opportunity is to estimate each neighborhood’s likelihood to provide high quality housing and neighborhood conditions. The index is intended to be used by Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) to help voucher holders identify neighborhoods (variously defined as Census Tracts or Block Groups) 29

that have relatively low poverty rates, an available stock of rental units offered at rents at or below Fair Market Rent limits, a high level of employment and educational opportunities for HCV holders, and a relatively low density of households who receive housing assistance from the HCV as well as other programs. SCORING: The index is scored from low to high. The lowest index score is 40 while the highest index score is 90. Presumably the area with a score of 40 does provide HCV holders good opportunity to find housing and other opportunities. The area with a score of 90 would offer the most opportunities to HCV holders. If you do not have access to the internet or need assistance with navigating the high opportunity areas, including specific area maps, please contact the Housing Authority and ask to speak to your assigned case manager. The general number is (951) 3510700. 30

Use this packet and inspection checklist to make sure the unit will pass an inspection Unit must pass Housing Quality Standards (HQS) at the first inspection The family is responsible for finding a unit that is affordable, decent, safe and sanitary 31

Lead paint could have been used prior to 1978 Read this pamphlet to learn more about lead based paint and how you can protect your family from its dangers. 32

Make a positive first impression Dress professional Bring References/Credit Report Do not sign a lease until HA inspects and approves the unit 33

Owner can request information about past landlord and address Owner can request in writing known tenant history Owner can run credit and background check If owner approves you as a tenant, move to step 4 If you have any legal questions please contact Fair Housing at 1 -800 -655 -1812 34

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The Owner completes RFTA with potential tenant (you) Owner and Family sign RFTA DO NOT sign lease yet The RFTA packet must be submitted to the front desk It is not the owner’s or Housing Authority’s responsibility to turn in the RFTA, it is your responsibility The Housing Authority does not recommend moving in or putting a deposit on a unit prior to a passed inspection 36

The HA will check the: RFTA for completeness Rent Affordability Rent Reasonableness If rent is not affordable the Housing Authority negotiates with the owner 37

The Housing Authority will Schedule an inspection Inspect the Unit for HQS Review paperwork Any missing, incomplete, incorrect, blank, or late information/paperwork may cause delays in scheduling an inspection 38

After the inspection passes: Family and Owner sign Lease Owner and HA sign HAP Contract HA approves tenancy 39

After HA approves tenancy, payments will be paid to owner Housing pays their portion directly to owner You pay your portion directly to owner (rent portions will be presented at the inspection) 40

The Housing Choice Voucher Program is a three way partnership between the Housing Authority of the County of Riverside, the family (you), and the owner or landlord of the rental unit. HA Family Landlord 41

Review all applications to determine program eligibility Explain all the rules of the program Issue a Voucher Approve the unit, owner and tenancy Make housing assistance payments to the owner Ensure that the family and unit continue to qualify annually Ensure that owners and families comply with all rules and regulations 42

Provide the Housing Authority with true complete and accurate information Find an approvable unit Keep all appointments scheduled by the HA Care for your housing unit Comply with the terms of lease Pay tenant portion of rent Pay tenant utilities under the lease Comply with the Family Obligations of your Voucher and all other rules and regulations 43

Screen families to determine if good tenants Comply with fair housing laws Maintain unit by making necessary repairs Comply with terms of Housing Assistance Payments Contract Collect the rent due by the family Enforce the terms of the lease 44

Pay the rent on time Take care of the unit Comply with the terms of the lease If you get evicted you may lose your Housing Choice Voucher Assistance 45

The Housing Authority uses the Calculation Worksheet to calculate: Your rent Utility Allowance Housing Authority’s Housing Assistance Payment Follow the step by step instructions on the Calculation Worksheet, aka “F Sheet” Rent and utility allowance cannot be more than 40% of your adjusted monthly income 46

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Bedroom Bedroom $908 $1, 084 $1, 355 $1, 888 $2, 132 $2, 452 $2, 772 47

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Bedroom Bedroom $908 $1, 084 $1, 355 $1, 888 $2, 204 $2, 535 $2, 865 48

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Thank you for your time and listening to our presentation. We are continuously seeking to improve our customer service. Please take a moment to complete a Customer Service Survey so that we may be assisted in providing you with the highest level of service. If you were provided excellent customer service by one of our staff please let us know. Your comments and concerns are important to us. You may view a video with information from the briefing at: HTTP: //WWW. NANMCKAY. COM/P 841 -VOUCHER-FAMILY-BRIEFING-VIDEO. ASPX 50