Starting Section eight

[Matt Bailey]

How do you get started in section 8?

What’s the process?

Who do you speak to in your county/state?

Is there a way to find out how much rent will be subsidized in advance?

Any guidance appreciated 

[Emily Beatty]

We kind of navigated our way through section 8 by diving in. In Lexington, you can start by getting on the Lexington Housing Authority Website. Give them a call and someone can guide you as well. http://www.lexha.org/housing-choice-voucher

Some step by step guidelines below - 

http://www.lexha.org/housing-choice-voucher/section-8---landlords

My personal tips - 

There is a lag time between when you get a section 8 renter into your rental and when you will receive the first HAP payment - 1 to 2 months. Then you will be back paid. 

Rent increases must be submitted to LHA 60 days before lease renewal. We usually try to raise rents 3% annually for renewing tenants. It's always been approved for us, but may not always be covered by the HAP payments. The tenant payment requirement could also change every year, so you must track carefully when to request renewals, increases in rent and what the tenant and HAP payment responsibilities are. 

PM me if you have additional questions.