CMHA's Rental Assistance Programs

Basic Facts

 CMHA operates two distinct programs through the Rental Assistance Department.  The first is the Housing Choice Voucher Program, which provides rental subsidies to assist low to moderate-income families throughout Hamilton County.  Once a family qualifies, they receive a voucher.  The family then takes that voucher to a property owner willing and qualified to participate in the HCV program.

The second is the Project-Based Assistance Program.  The program is run by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and CMHA serves as a contract administrator for the program.  Through this program specific units within a building or an entire building is designated assisted housing.  The voucher stays with the unit, not with the tenant. 


Comparison Chart
Housing Choice
Voucher Program
Project-Based
Section 8
The subsidy belongs to the family, and moves with them if they change apartments.  The subsidy is attached to the rental unit.  If the family moves they lose the subsidy. 
CMHA qualifies the tenant for the program.  The property owner qualifies the tenant for the program
CMHA qualifies the property owner for the program.  HUD qualifies the property owner for the program.
The property owner enforces the lease.  The property owner enforces the lease. 
The property owner maintains the property. The property owner maintains the property.
The resident and the property owner maintain curb appeal.  The property owner maintains curb appeal. 
The property owner is responsible for evicting bad tenants.  The property owner is responsible for evicting bad tenants.
CMHA performs periodic inspections to ensure that the housing meets area Housing Quality Standards.  CMHA, as HUD's contract administrator, monitors the program and ensures the property owner is in compliance. 
CMHA sends the monthly housing subsidy to the property owner. HUD's contract administrator sends the monthly payments to the property owner. 
CMHA terminates the contract of non-compliant property owners. HUD and its contract administrator terminate the contract of non-compliant property owners. 


What process do tenants and property owners have to undergo in order to join the Housing Choice Voucher Program?

Tenants: When CMHA's Housing Choice Voucher waiting list opens (typically once a year), interested tenants call in and complete an application.  They must pass a criminal background check and their household income must be less than 80 percent of Area Median Income. 

Property Owners: Interested property owners must have rental units that meet Housing Quality Standards (HQS), which are determined by HUD.  They must agree to annual inspections and the conditions of the Housing Choice Voucher program, including enforcing the lease with their tenants.

For more information about CMHA's Housing Choice
Voucher Program, call 513-421-8190.

 

What process do tenants and property owners have to undergo in order to join the Project-Based Section 8 Program?

Tenants: The Project-Based Section 8 Department does not accept applications for Housing.  To apply for assistance you must go to the management office for the specific property. 

For a complete listing of subsidized apartments in Cincinnati please use the following link to HUD's website:         
www.hud.gov/apps/section8/index.cfm

Property Owners: Interested property owners must have rental units located in areas with low amounts of assisted housing units that meet Housing Quality Standards (HQS), which are determined by HUD.  They must agree to annual inspections and the conditions of the Housing Choice Voucher program, including enforcing the lease with their tenants.





Housing
Choice
Voucher