General Information for Rental Assistance
The information provided within this document only provides a general guidance to the administration of the different rental assistance programs. All questions regarding any of this information should be referred to a Housing Authority Representative for clarification.

Section 8 Rental Assistance Programs
The Rental Assistance Program enables low-income families to rent from any landlord with rental assistance administered by the Prince George's County, Department of Housing and Community Development, Rental Assistance Division. There is no funding within the Rental Assistance Program for emergency housing services.

Housing Authority Responsibilities
Housing Choice Voucher Program
Family Self Sufficiency & Welfare to Work
Family Unification Program
Rehabilitation Programs
Rental Allowance Program
Housing Authority Responsibilities
Seek expanded opportunities for assisted families to locate housing outside of areas of poverty or racial concentration.
Affirmatively further fair housing goals and comply with equal opportunity requirements.
Receive applications from families.
Determine family eligibility.
Maintain the waiting list.
Select applicants.
Issue vouchers.
Provide housing information to families selected.
Determine who can live in the unit at admission and during participation.
Obtain and verify evidence of citizenship and eligible immigration status.
Review family's request for approval of unit and lease.
Inspect the unit before assisted occupancy and at least annually during the assisted tenancy.
Determine the HAP for families.
Determine maximum rent to owner and if it is reasonable.
Examine family income, size, and composition at admission and during program participation, including verification of income and other family information.
Establish and adjust PHA utility allowances.
Administer and enforce owner compliance with HAP contract.

Housing Choice Voucher Program
The Housing Choice Voucher Program enables low-income families to rent an apartment, condominium, townhouse, or single-family unit in Prince George's County. Families pay at least 30% but not more than 40% of their income towards utilities and rent. The level of assistance is based family size, income, and current reasonable market rents. The Housing Authority pays the remainder of the rent directly to the owner. The participant and the owner complete the necessary forms to submit the unit to the Housing Authority for approval. The unit must pass a Housing Quality Standards inspection and meet the Rent Reasonableness standard. The participant and the owner enter into a lease agreement after the unit has been approved by the Housing Authority. The Housing Authority and the owner enter into a Housing Assistance Payments contract.


Family Self Sufficiency and Welfare to Work Programs
The Family Self Sufficiency Program (FSS) is an innovative, voluntary program that assists families receiving rental assistance to achieve economic independence. The participant signs a Contract of Participation in which the participant agrees to become self sufficient within 5 years. To guide the family towards self sufficiency, individual goals and a service plan are created with the assistance of the FSS Program staff. The participant maintains close contact with the FSS staff, who monitor the participant's training and goal plan, provide support, locate community resources, and identify needs and barriers to the participant's achieving self sufficiency.

The FSS staff networks with social service agencies, non profit organizations, other agencies, and educational institutions to identify available resources to assist participants in overcoming barriers to economic independence.