Broward County Housing Authority (BCHA) Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) or as commonly referred to Section 8 Program is the largest voucher program in Broward County. BCHA administers approximately 6,000 Housing Choice Vouchers. Over 4,000 landlords participate in the program.
- Direct Deposit Authorization Form
- Landlord Change of Mailing Address Form
- Property Purchase/Transfer Request Form
- Landlord Request for Transfer of Payment to Management Company Form
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides funding for the Housing Choice Voucher Program, which allows income eligible residents of Broward County to afford decent, safe and sanitary housing in the private market. Families are able to find their own housing where the owner agrees to rent under the program. Generally households do not pay more than 40% of their income for rent and utilities. BCHA pays a set amount directly to the landlord and the renter pays the difference.
All units must meet the Housing Quality Standards (HQS) established by HUD. BCHA inspectors conduct annual unit inspections to ensure compliance with these standards. BCHA will also perform a rent comparability analysis to ensure the requested rent does not exceed market rates. Other than expecting a portion of the rent regularly each month from the Housing Authority, owners have the same type of renter-landlord relationship that they have with market renters.
BCHA, the property owner, and the family have different roles and responsibilities as outlined below:
FAIR HOUSING: Legislation contained in the Civil Rights Act of 1998, Title VIII, as amended, is commonly referred to as the Fair Housing Act. This law established a national policy of providing fair housing throughout the United States. The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in housing on the basis of:
Race or Color · National Origin · Religion · Sex · Family Status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians; pregnant women and people securing custody of children under the age of 18)
Disability in the sale and rental of housing; no one may discriminate against families based on the above categories by taking the following actions:
Refusing to rent or sell housing · Refusing to negotiate housing · Making housing unavailable · Setting different terms, conditions or privileges for sale or rental of a dwelling
Fair housing is a right afforded to all persons seeking housing, whether they are Housing Choice Voucher program participants or private market renters. It is your obligation as an owner to comply with the law(s) that guarantee this right.