Housing Choice Vouchers/Section 8

The Housing Choice Voucher/Section 8 program is a highly popular rental assistance program that provides affordable housing for low-income families while paying housing subsidies directly to participating landlords. The Housing Choice Voucher program gives low-income families options, most importantly the freedom to rent a house, duplex, trailer or apartment anywhere within the Tulsa city limits where the landlord will accept Housing Choice Voucher program subsidy.

Although the lease agreement is between the resident and their landlord, THA subsidizes the resident’s rent payments. Therefore, a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract exists between THA and the landlord. The program provides the landlord with guaranteed rent as long as the landlord is in compliance with their HAP contract and the resident is in the housing unit.

To review the 2024 Tulsa Housing Authority Housing Choice Voucher/Section 8 Administrative Plan click here.

Click the links below for more information:

Applicants need to meet several criteria to be eligible for assistance through the Section 8 voucher program. Landlords and their rental units must also meet eligibility standards.

Income Level

At the time an applicant is selected off the waitlist the total household income must not exceed the following income limits:

Criminal History

At the time of final determination of eligibility, each applicant will undergo a criminal background screening before being offered initial assistance through the Section 8 program. Each applicant must complete a Release of Information for Housing Consideration form, authorizing the Tulsa Police Department or any other local, state or federal law enforcement agency to release to THA a copy of any convictions of the applicant within the last two years.

Those applicants who have been convicted of certain crimes within a two-year period prior to making formal application for the program may be denied assistance.

Immigration Status

In order to receive assistance, a family member must be a U.S. citizen or eligible immigrant. A family is eligible for assistance as long as at least one member is a citizen or eligible immigrant.

Debts Owed to THA

The family must have satisfied any outstanding debt owed to THA or another Housing Authority as a result of prior participation in any federal housing program.

Unit/Landlord Eligibility

A rental unit is eligible for the Section 8 program if it is determined to be rent-reasonable and passes an inspection based on the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Housing Quality Standards.

Any landlord willing to work within the guidelines of the Section 8 program is eligible to participate, as long as they are in good standing with Tulsa Housing Authority.

Landlords may be barred from participating if they have breached leases with tenants or violated laws or program rules. Landlords are not allowed to rent units to relatives who are voucher holders.

Effective January 1, 2025, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires Tulsa Housing Authority to implement Small Area Fair Market Rent (SAFMR) payment standards. Previously, HUD issued one payment standard for the Tulsa Metropolitan Area. Now, FMRs are calculated at the zip code level.

Voucher Payment Standards are used in the calculation of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) that Tulsa Housing Authority pays to the property owner on behalf of the family leasing the unit. The amounts listed at the link below represent the maximum monthly assistance payment THA will pay a property owner by bedroom size.

You can see current payment standards by clicking here.

Application

  • Applicants must complete an application for housing online at https://myportal.tulsahousing.org/. At this link applicants can apply for the Section 8 program or for other Tulsa Housing Authority housing options.

Wait List Selection

  • When Section 8 vouchers become available, Tulsa Housing Authority will select applicants off the waitlist in order of preference and date.

Final Eligibility

  • Tulsa Housing Authority will verify program eligibility based on:
    • Family composition
    • Income and asset information
    • Criminal background check and sex offender status check of all family members 18 years of age or older

Briefing/Voucher Issuance

  • Once the application is approved, Tulsa Housing Authority will provide a briefing packet and a voucher to the applicant, which allows the applicant to begin searching for a housing unit.
  • Applicants can see a list of local landlords accepting Section 8 vouchers at https://www.affordablehousing.com/tulsa-ok/section8-owners/.
  • Applicants will have up to 120 days from the voucher issuance date to find a unit and complete the rental process.

Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) Process

  • Applicant begins their search for a home.
  • Applicant finds an acceptable unit and completes the Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) with the landlord.
  • The RFTA is submitted to Tulsa Housing Authority and is processed.  Once approved or denied, the applicant will receive a letter.
  • If the RFTA is approved, an inspection is ordered. The applicant is encouraged to attend the inspection. 

Leasing

  • Once the unit passes inspection and lease paperwork is completed, the applicant can take the keys and move into their new home. 
  • Tenants are responsible for abiding by the lease agreement.

All housing units must pass a Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection, following HUD guidelines, before being added to the voucher program. For more information on what those inspections entail, click here.

Below are additional forms and information to assist you.

DVIS Class

HCV Briefing

“Portability” in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program refers to the process through which the family can transfer or “port” their rental subsidy when they move to a location outside the jurisdiction of the public housing agency (PHA) that first gave them the voucher when they were selected for the program.

Initial PHAs -The PHA that first gave the voucher to the individual when they were selected for the program.

Receiving PHAs– The agency that will administer assistance in the area to which the individual moves.

Tulsa Housing Authority is currently absorbing vouchers.  Your current Housing Authority or voucher issuer must forward the portability paperwork to THA using the contact information below:

Jennifer Watkins
Phone: 918-581-5700
Fax:  918-551-5239
jennifer.watkins@tulsahousing.org
P.O. Box 6369
Tulsa, OK  74148

Once the complete portability paperwork is received and determined eligible, you will be contacted for an appointment to receive a voucher in Tulsa.  Our jurisdiction is within the Tulsa city limits only.  Please ensure that your Housing Authority or voucher issuer includes your contact information in the portability paperwork.

Please direct all portability billing notices to:

Diana Clay
Phone: 918-581-5705
Fax: 918-551-5253
Diana.Clay@tulsahousing.org