BHA provides rental assistance to over 1,700 households through the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. The Voucher program includes both tenant-based and project-based assistance.

With Section 8 Tenant-based Assistance, you find an apartment which meets your needs. If the landlord agrees to participate in the program, the rent is reasonable and the apartment meets HUD Housing Quality Standards, BHA pays a portion of the rent directly to the landlord. You pay the balance of the rent and your utility costs. Most participants pay between 30% and no more than 40% of their income for rent and utilities. The Fact Sheet for Applicants provides more information on the Housing Choice Voucher program.

Section 8 Fact Sheet for Applicants

List of Project-based Developments

Fact Sheet for Landlords

Some Section 8 vouchers are Project-Based Assistance. This means that the voucher is attached to a particular apartment in a housing development. In order to receive project-based assistance, you need to apply both to BHA and to the management agent of the housing development. After you have lived in a project-based apartment for at least one year, you may receive a tenant-based voucher to move if you are in full compliance with your lease. The Fact Sheet for Applicants provides more information on the Housing Choice Voucher program. The Project-Based Voucher List provides information on housing developments with project-based vouchers.

Other Rental Assistance Programs

BHA collaborates with social service organizations in the operation of a number of small rental assistance programs for households with special needs.

The Shelter Plus Care program combines housing with supportive services for individuals with mental health needs.

The HOPWA (Housing Opportunity for Persons with AIDS) program provides housing with supportive services for individuals living with HIV/AIDS at 600 Dalton Drive in Colchester and in scattered site apartments in the community. If you are interested in this program, contact Melissa Farr, 863-2437 at Vermont Cares.

The Moderate Rehabilitation Single Room Occupancy Program provides SRO housing for juveniles in collaboration with Spectrum Youth Services and for individuals with severe mental illness in collaboration with Howard Center for Human Services. If you are interested in the Howard programs contact Elaine Soto at 865-6124. If you are interested in the Spectrum units contact Elise Brokaw at 862-5396 ext. 312.