When a family has been determined eligible for assistance, they will receive a voucher. Then they begin their search for a suitable unit.
Step 1: A family contacts you with a Voucher for rental assistance in hand. Ask to see the Voucher and check the expiration date. If the date is current the applicant is eligible for assistance.
Step 2: Owner/landlord screens the family for suitability as a renter. THA only verifies family income and composition. THA knows that the owner has approved a family for tenancy when we receive the Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) and the lease. The owner/landlord may submit his own lease to THA, however, HUD requires certain language in any lease signed by a Voucher participant.
The following items HUD requires in a lease:
Step 3 – After the owner/landlord approves the family, the family and landlord fill out the RFTA; the family should have this form in hand; it must be completed and signed by both the landlord and participant. The RFTA and lease are to be returned to THA for approval. We will review the signed RFTA and verify the rent is reasonable based on the market.
The family portion of rent plus any applicable utility allowance equals the Total Tenant Payment (TTP). The family cannot rent a unit if their TTP exceeds 40% of their monthly adjusted income if the rent is above the payment standard. If the unit is not determined affordable or the unit does not meet the rent reasonableness requirements, you and the family will be notified in writing.
Step 4 – Once the unit is determined affordable and the rent is determined reasonable, the owner/landlord will receive a telephone call notifying them of the inspection date and time.
Monthly HAP checks are paid twice a month. Checks are mailed within the first five (5) calendar days of the month. HAP payments will continue as long as the family continues to meet eligibility requirements and the unit continues to meet HQS requirements. The family is responsible to pay the difference between THA’s payment amount and the total contract rent. The family portion is paid directly to the owner. The owner may not charge the family in excess of the family’s portion of rent.
When a property is sold and there is a Voucher (Section 8) participant residing in the unit, the owner listed on the contract must be changed in our computer system. Landlords should contact Olivia Smith at (918) 583-7506 or by email at Olivia.Smith@tulsahousing.org to complete the required paperwork.
Housing Quality Standards (HQS) have been set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in an effort to improve the quality of assisted housing nationally. Prior to a unit being accepted for Section 8 subsidy, it must pass an inspection, which consists of HQS and City Guidelines.