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Effective March 17, 2010, the SEMMCHRA Board of Commissioners closed the Section 8 waiting list.


Section 8 Rental Assistance

Section 8 Rental Assistance
SEMMCHRA has operated HUD's Section 8 Rental Assistance Program since 1979. This program provides affordable rent to eligible applicants who rent units in the private sector. The HRA administers this program to citizens residing in Dodge, Fillmore, Goodhue, Houston, Wabasha, and Winona Counties.

How will the Rental Assistance Program help me?
Rents are based on 30% of your adjusted income. Program participants select a privately owned house, apartment, duplex or mobile home. The home must pass federal inspection standards and the landlord must agree to participate in the program. The HRA pays a portion of your rent directly to your landlord.

Who is eligible?
The program is open to low income individuals without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender or status regard to public assistance.


How does the program work?
1. Complete Application
An application can be mailed to you by SEMMCHRA or you may pick one up at our office. If you are coming to the office, bring along your social security card and the card(s) of the other household members living with you so we may obtain copies. 


2. Application Approval

Once your application is approved, your name is put on a waiting list with other applicants. Vouchers can only be given as they become available. The list is first come, first served. Some local hardship preferences are given, but all applicants must complete the required paperwork.

3. Attend Briefing
Once your have filled out an application, you are required to attend a briefing before receiving rental assistance. At the briefing you will learn how the Section 8 Rental Assistance Program functions. Briefings are held monthly.

4. Voucher Offered
Once your application is verfied to be eligible, you will be offered the first available voucher. You will then have 60 days to locate an acceptable rental unit. You may choose to stay in your current rental unit or move to a new location. The owner must be willing to participate and sign a contract with the Section 8 Porgram prior to receiving assistance.

5. Complete Lease Forms
Once you have found suitable housing, you and the owner need to complete the Request for Lease Approval forms and submit them to us. If you or the owner have questions about the form, our staff will be able to assist you.

6. Rental Inspection
SEMMCHRA inspects the unit to be sure that is passes the program standards. Rental owners are given 30 days to correct items that may fail the inspection.

7. Rent Payment
After the unit has passed inspection and all involved parties agree, the lease and contract are executed. SEMMCHRA will pay a portion of your rent directly to your landlord.


What does the program offer the landlord?
1. Rent
Owners are guaranteed a portion of the rent by SEMMCHRA. The program allows the families to better afford their rent portion, resulting in more consistent, timely, and full payments to owners.

2. Annual Inspections
The annual inspection of the units helps to alert owners of required and/or recommended repairs. Ideally, this timely maintenance will reduce costly investments.

3. Security
Tenants on the rental assistance program are required to sign a lease, giving owners some security. The rental assistance program also offers specific guarantees.

30% Income Limits Effective 06-01-2010

 Family Size

 Goodhue Co.

Winona Co.

Wabasha Co.

 Houston Co.

 Dodge Co.

 Fillmore Co.

 1

14,600

13,300

13,650 

13,350

16,350 

12,350

 2

16,650

15,200

15,600

15,250

18,650

14,100

 3

18,750

17,100

17,550

17,150

21,000

15,850

 4

20,800

19,000

19,500

19,050

23,300

17,600

 5

22,500

 20,550

21,100

20,600

25,200

19,050

 6

24,150

22,050

22,650

22,100

27,050

20,450

 7

25,800

23,600

24,200

23,650

28,900

21,850

 8

27,500

25,100

25,750

25,150

30,800

23,250

 
Payment Standards for the Voucher Program Effective 1/01/2010
 

 Voucher
size

  Goodhue
Co.
 

 Winona
Co.

 Wabasha
Co.

 Houston
Co.

 Dodge
Co.

 Fillmore
Co.

 0

470

429 

418

412

610

404

 1

551

507

465

483

651

487

 2

724

661

596

635

855

607

  3 

922

914

746

843

1,109

792

 4

997

1,159

1,047

1,035

1,158

994