BRUBAKER Group...Section 8 Program General Information

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program is a rental assistance program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It is designed to assist eligible low-income families rent housing in the private market by paying some of their rental costs. The Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles administers the program in the unincorporated areas and participating cities in Los Angeles County. Our responsibilities include determining family eligibility; approving units, leases, and rent; determining the family’s rent portion based on their income; ensuring that families and owners comply with program rules; inspecting units and re-determining family eligibility annually; and making housing assistance payments to owners.

You receive a guaranteed monthly payment on the first of every month via direct deposit.
You retain total control. You can collect a security deposit, use your own lease, and screen tenants according to your own suitability criteria.
You receive free annual inspections to ensure maximum property upkeep.
Most importantly – by participating in the Section 8 program, you are helping low-income families obtain housing.

3. Am I eligible to become a participating owner? What are the obligations of a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher owner?

To become a participating owner, all you need to do is to lease your rental unit to a Section 8 voucher holder. Generally, owners cannot rent to relatives under the Section 8 program (although the Housing Authority may grant an exception as a reasonable accommodation to a disability). The Housing Authority will require you to provide proof of ownership of the rental property, and to certify that the rent you charge the Section 8 voucher holder is the same as what you would charge an unassisted tenant family. The Housing Authority must verify your eligibility to become a Section 8 owner, and may disapprove you for reasons such as: if you have engaged in drug trafficking, committed fraud in connection to a federal housing program, or been debarred by HUD from participating as an owner under the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program.

Owner obligations under Section 8 are similar to the obligations of an owner renting in the private market. You handle the tenant’s screening for suitability for tenancy. You must maintain the rental property in good condition according to housing quality standards (see Inspection Question 5 for details), making repairs as needed. You must pay for utilities, maintenance and services as specified in your lease with the tenant. You are required to adhere to the lease, and to the Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) contract, including the HUD Tenancy Addendum, which is your agreement with the Housing Authority. You must also comply with applicable fair housing laws.

The Housing Authority now offers a property listing and locater service through Socialserve.com. This free, internet-based service takes the place of the Housing Authority's traditional property listing. Click Here to find out more information or to register your properties.

For more information on the Section 8 program, you may refer to the HUD website. You may also request an owner information packet, which provides additional information on the Housing Authority’s program. To request an owner information packet, please contact the Housing Authority's Public Liaison Unit. You may also send an email, including your name, telephone number and mailing address, to public liaison@lacdc.org, and indicate that you would like to receive an Owner Information Packet. We also ask that you provide the property address of the unit being considered for rental to verify it is within our service area. Should the property not be within our jurisdiction, you will be contacted at the number or email address provided. Otherwise, a packet will be mailed to you (sorry, no faxes).

The Assisted Housing Division’s main office is located at:
12131 Telegraph Road
Santa Fe Springs, CA, 90670
on the corner of Geary and Telegraph, East of Norwalk Blvd.