Marin County Housing Authority

Marin Housing Authority Board of Directors Lewis Jordan

Executive Director

Kimberly Carroll Deputy Director

Ilya Filmus General Counselor

Sarasu Zacharia Chief Financial Officer

Annettie Machuca Interim Program Manager

D’Jon Scott- Miller Assistant Manager

Housing Choice Voucher Program

Overview Formerly known as the Section 8 Program

Funded by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

The program provides rental assistance to low-income families by issuing vouchers to search for rental property in the private rental market.

The Goals is: To provide improved living conditions for low-

income families while maintaining their rent payments at an affordable level;

To promote freedom of housing choice and integrate lower income and minority families into mainstream society;

The Goal is: To provide decent, safe and sanitary housing for

eligible participants,

To provide an incentive to private owners to rent to lower income families by offering timely assistance payments, a pool of families from which to choose, and regular inspections to insure upkeep of the property.

PARTNERSHIP

LANDLORD

FAMILY

MHA

Landlord Advantages The tenant choice is yours

Maximum upkeep of properties

Rent will be paid whether the family has income or not

MHA

LANDLORD

FAMILY

MHA Responsibilities Determine program

eligibility for the family

Explain all rules of the program to families

Approve the unit, the owner, and the tenancy.

Make Housing Assistance Payments to the owner in a timely manner.

Ensure that families and owners comply with program rules.

Monitor program performance

Landlord Responsibilities. Screen and select family

Determine family suitability

Perform all management and rental functions

Collect all amounts due from the family.

ENFORCE LEASE

Landlord Responsibilities Perform all maintenance

resulted from normal wear and tear

Maintain unit in accordance with HQS

Complies with the HAP Contract “HUD Form 52641”

Do not violate any Fair Housing Laws

Family Responsibilities Provide MHA complete

and accurate information.

Supply any information to that the MHA determines necessary for continued eligibility

Comply with their terms of the lease.

Provide any notices to owner and MHA

Use the assisted unit as residence by only members listed on the lease

Family Responsibilities- cont Pay utility bills and

appliances that owner is not responsible to provide

Be responsible for the actions and activities of the family members, guests or visitors

Allow MHA & owner to inspect the unit when requested and at reasonable times

Family Responsibilities Give the landlord and

MHA written notice to vacate in accordance with lease terms.

Maintain the unit to meet health and safety standards.

Family MUST NOT Have any interest in the assisted unit or be

related to the landlord

Sublease or sublet the unit

Transfer the unit to someone else

Engage in any drug related or criminal activity

Commit any serious or repeated violations of the lease.

Must not damage unit other than normal wear and tear

RELATIONSHIPS

LANDLORD

LEASE HAP

FAMILY MHA

LEASE If the unit meets the program

requirements and the tenancy can be approved, the family will enter into a lease with the owner.

MHA is NOT a party to the lease.

Continued….

LEASE- cont… The lease MUST clearly specify all of the

following information: Name of the owner Name of the tenant Unit rented -Address, apt number and any

information that describes the unit. Term of the lease- initial term and include provision

for renewal. Amount of the monthly total rent to owner Utilities and appliances to be supplied by the owner. Utilities and appliances to be supplied by the family.

How to enforce LEASE Set expectations – both parties will be aware of the

other expectations

Understand your tenants needs – be considerate

Follow the Law – California Tenant Guide

Attempt to resolve issues before they get out of hand

Inform MHA in writing of issues experienced concerning lease agreement

Get legal advice -

HOUSING ASSISTANCE PAYMENT (HAP) CONTRACT After the unit, and the lease are approved MHA will

enter into a Housing Assistance Payment Contract with the owner. HUD Form 52641

The family is NOT a party to this contract.

HAP contract states owners rights and responsibilities in detail…..GET FAMILIAR

FAMILY PAYMENTS TO OWNER The family is responsible for paying the difference

between the PHA’s payment amount and the total approved rent to owner for the unit.

Total Rent to owner- HAP = Tenant rent to owner

It is the owner’s responsibility to collect any portion of the rent payable by the family.

Landlord MUST NOT request any other monies on the side

RENT INCREASES After the initial term of the lease, the owner may

increase the rent with 60-day notice to the family and MHA.

The proposed increase must be reasonable.

Any increase cannot be higher than comparable unassisted units

Rent Reasonableness will be conducted

Failing to enforce Lease Owner is responsible to collect rent on time

Owner is responsible in enforcing the lease terms

Owner must notify MHA of any repeated or serious lease violations in a timely manner.

FAILING TO MAINTAIN UNIT The owner is responsible for the normal

maintenance and upkeep of a unit.

Repairs for which the owner is responsible should be made in a timely manner.

OWNER’S WINNER’S CIRCLE Prepares

Unit for

inspection

Collects

rent

on time

Screens

families and

selects good

renters

Maintains

unit

Enforces

lease

Complies

with

HAP

Contract

Keeps units

occupied

Thank You One of the reasons for the success of the program is

because owners like you have taken the time to learn the rules of the program.

We encourage you to have better and more communication with our staff.