Housing Choice Voucher Program

The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program, formerly known as Section 8, receives federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer a rental voucher program to qualified very low-income persons and families.

Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses and apartments. The participant is free to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program and is not limited to units located in subsidized housing projects.

How Does the Voucher Program Work?

  • A family that is issued a housing voucher is responsible for finding a suitable housing unit of the family’s choice where the owner agrees to rent under the program. This unit may include the family’s present residence. Rental units must meet minimum standards of health and safety, as determined by the MHA.
  • A housing subsidy is paid to the landlord directly by the MHA on behalf of the participating family. The family then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program.
  • Under certain circumstances, if authorized by the MHA, a family may use its voucher to purchase a modest home.

We have the following Special Program Vouchers

  • Foster Youth Initiative – 23
  • Emergency Housing Vouchers – 16
  • VASH ( Veterans Supportive Housing ) – 15
Contact Us About Special Program Vouchers
white two story house during fall

Who is Elligible?

Eligibility is based on 3 factors

  • Annual Income
  • Whether you qualify as a senior, a person with a disability, or as an individual/family
  • U.S. citizenship/immigration status

How are income levels determined?

We use income limits developed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which sets the very low-income limits at 50% Area Median Income (AMI).

By law, MHA must provide 75 percent of its voucher to applicants whose incomes do not exceed 30% of the area median income.

Very Low Income Limits by Household Size

1
person in family
  • $26,100
2
people in family
  • $29,800
3
people in family
  • $33,550
4
people in family
  • $37,250
5
people in family
  • $40,250
6
people in family
  • $43,250
7
people in family
  • $46,200
8
people in family
  • $49,200

Based on HUD’s 2022 income limits for Muncie, IN 

How Do I Apply for the Waitlist?

What You’ll Need to Provide

  • Email address
  • Current telephone number
  • Current Landlord Information
  • Verified income

Application Process

  1. Register with the applicant portal and apply for all community waiting lists that fit your family composition.
  2. MHA will review your application to determine if you meet the eligibility guidelines for the waiting list(s), for example your family composition size is appropriate for the community.
  3. Accepted applicants will be placed on the waiting list, and rejected applicants will be notified in writing via email.

Note: No applicant is entitled to either be on the waiting list or in a specific position on the waiting list.

Apply Online

Visit the applicant portal and log in or register your email address for a new account.

applicant portal

Housing Choice Voucher Program FAQs

Your rent is based on your family’s anticipated gross annual income less deductions, if any. A Program Eligibility Specialist will determine if you qualify for any allowable deductions.

The annual income is the anticipated total income from all sources received from the head of household, spouse, each additional member of the family 18 years of age or older and unearned income for family members under 18 years of age.

A participating family is generally required to pay approximately 30% of adjusted monthly income toward rent and utilities.

Please call us to check your status on the waitlist.

If you wish to dispute the accuracy of the decision to deny your application you must submit a request in writing for an informal review no later than 15 days from the date of the decision.

Portland, Indiana

MHA oversees 50 vouchers in Portland, Indiana.

Contact Us for More Information