The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires all housing authorities to determine an appropriate rent amount for all properties leasing in the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
Rent Affordability & Rent Reasonableness
When the Request for Tenancy Approval is submitted, CMHA will check to make sure the rent is affordable for the family and reasonable for the area and amenities.
The gross rent for your units (ie., the sum of rent and tenant paid utilities) must be reasonable. Rent reasonableness is defined as one that does not exceed gross rent charged for comparable unassisted units in the same market area. CMHA determines rent reasonableness by comparing the proposed unit to two comparable unassisted units in the area. CMHA takes many factors into consideration in determining rent reasonableness, including:
- Location
- Amenities
- Size/Type
- Utilities
In addition to being reasonable, the gross rent must be affordable for the family. Affordability is determined by several factors: voucher bedroom size, payment standard, utility that the family is responsible for, and family income. For an initial contract, the total tenant portion (the monthly rent paid directly to you by the family) can be no more than 40% of the family’s monthly income. If the rent is not affordable because the family share would be more than 40% of the family’s monthly adjusted income, HCVP will negotiate with the owner to reduce the rent for the family so it is in compliance with HUD guidelines.
Payment Standards
CMHA’s payment standards are based on Fair Market Rent (FMRs). CMHA has established payment standards between 90% and 110% of the FMRs established by HUD.
Please note: The payment standard is NOT the maximum amount that the landlord can charge; it is the maximum amount of subsidy that the CMHA will pay toward each tenant’s rent portion.
Fair Market Rents and Payment Standards Fiscal Year 2024
CMHA established exception rent payment standards for well-resourced communities and for communities where HUD has identified by zip code the fair market rent as being greater than the fair market rents indicated in CMHA's "Primary Fair Market Rents and Payment Standards FY 2024" table. In 2024, CMHA will continue to offer exception payment standards based on 2024 FMRs and Small Area FMRs. CMHA has done this to offer greater and more competitive housing opportunities to its voucher holders and landlords.
Rent Affordability Calculator
HCVP Utility Allowance Chart
Complete the form below to use the Rent Affordability Calculator:
The affordability calculator only applies to new contracts.
- It views the landlord's requested rent from an affordability standpoint. HUD regulations stipulate that the rent be both reasonable and affordable. Therefore, even though the calculator shows that the requested rent is affordable, this does not mean that it is necessarily reasonable. Once the rent reasonableness test has been conducted, you could be presented with a final rent offer for less than your original request, because of this.
- Income, family composition, payment standards are subject to change after the completion of the affordability test.
- Unit bedroom size to be confirmed at the inspection.
This calculator is a guideline for rent costs only. This calculator does not necessarily represent your actual final rent costs.
FAQs
Public Housing and Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
To apply for either type of help, visit your local Public Housing Agency (PHA). Some PHAs have long waiting lists, so you may want to apply at more than one PHA. Your PHA can also give you a list of locations at which your voucher can be used.
How much is a 2 bedroom Section 8 voucher in Ohio? ›
According to CMHA's website, vouchers reimburse a tenant with a set amount of rent. For voucher holders searching for a one-bedroom unit, the highest the voucher can cover is $912, and for a two-bedroom, the voucher pays up to $1,135.
What is a housing choice voucher in Ohio? ›
The Housing Choice Voucher program provides housing assistance for very low-income families, the elderly and the disabled, allowing them to live in safe, quality affordable housing in the private market. The Housing Choice Voucher Program encompasses all housing vouchers (NED, Mainstream, Family Unification Program).
How does low income housing work in Ohio? ›
Public housing is built and managed by local housing authorities in 75 counties in Ohio and administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Rents are set at 30% of the tenants income with the remainder of the costs paid by an Annual Contributions Contract from HUD.
How to apply for emergency housing in Ohio? ›
If you're facing eviction, contact your local community action agency to apply for help. To access services: Go to the COHHIO website to find out how to apply for emergency rental assistance at your county's community action agency.
What is the most rent section 8 will pay? ›
The maximum housing assistance is generally the lesser of the payment standard minus 30% of the family's monthly adjusted income or the gross rent for the unit minus 30% of monthly adjusted income.
What is considered low income for a single person in Ohio? ›
Eligibility
| Household Size | Extremely Low Income (30%) | Low Income (80%) |
|---|
| 1 Person | $22,050 | $58,700 |
| 2 People | $25,200 | $67,100 |
| 3 People | $28,350 | $75,500 |
| 4 People | $31,450 | $83,850 |
4 more rowsPayment Standards by Voucher Bedroom Size
| Voucher Bedroom Size | Payment Standard |
|---|
| 0 | $971 |
| 1 | $1,094 |
| 2 | $1,394 |
| 3 | $1,737 |
3 more rowsCMHA said it doesn't record how many people are on the waiting list at any given point in time or what the average wait time is. But a Columbus Dispatch article from February 2023 stated that the waiting list was 26,000 applications long at that point, with an average wait time of three years.
Can I use my Section 8 voucher to buy a house in Ohio? ›
It provides safe and affordable housing to low-income families. And though the program is aimed at providing rental income, you can use the funds from the Section 8 homeownership voucher program to buy a home. However, it can take a long time to get approved for the program.
The Ohio 811 Program offers safe, affordable housing in apartment complexes throughout Ohio. County board staff act as referral agents for people who are interested in living independently in their own apartments.
How do I contact Section 8 in Ohio? ›
For questions about HUD rental programs, including Housing Choice (Section 8) Vouchers, call our Public and Indian Housing Information and Resource Center toll-free at (800) 955-2232 or contact us via email.
Who qualifies for HUD in Ohio? ›
Eligible people typically have an income that is below 50% of the median household income, which was about 55,000 as of 2021. Preference is typically given to elderly or disabled applicants or to families living in substandard conditions. The waiting list can also be very long, so applying sooner is always better.
How does metro housing work in Ohio? ›
A housing subsidy is paid to the property owner directly by the PHA on behalf of the participating family. The family then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the property owner and the amount subsidized by the program.
What will disqualify you from section 8 in Ohio? ›
What Criminal Charges Disqualify you from Section 8? Section 8 vouchers are automatically denied to those who have been convicted of these felonies: Any violation that results in becoming registered as a lifetime sex offender. A conviction for making methamphetamine on federal housing premises.
How long is the waiting list for public housing in Ohio? ›
The number of clients leaving the program each month will vary so it is hard to tell when you will receive assistance. A typical wait time is 6-8 months, unless you have a preference the wait could be approximately 30-60 days.
What are the income guidelines for Section 8 in Ohio? ›
Eligible people typically have an income that is below 50% of the median household income, which was about 55,000 as of 2021. Preference is typically given to elderly or disabled applicants or to families living in substandard conditions. The waiting list can also be very long, so applying sooner is always better.
How to become a section 8 landlord in Ohio? ›
How To Get A House Section 8 Approved
- Contact your local PHA office. ...
- Review the requirements that your PHA has laid out. ...
- Set up an appointment with the PHA housing inspector. ...
- If your property is approved, you will then need to fill out a W-9 and some more paperwork to be able to receive voucher payments.
