Rental Assistance
The Rental Assistance Division (RAD) administers housing programs that help participants rent decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market in Prince George’s County.
Housing Choice Voucher Program:
The Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP), also referred to as “Section 8”, is a “tenant-based” voucher program that provides tenants the opportunity to live where they choose. RAD pays the owner the difference between 30 percent of adjusted family income and a PHA determined payment standard or the gross rent for the unit, whichever is lower. The family may choose a unit with a higher rent than the payment standard and pay the owner the difference. A family in the HCVP may choose to exercise a "portability" right that allows it to use its voucher outside the boundaries of Prince George’s County jurisdiction. This, in essence, means that a family can move anywhere in the United States and its territories where there is a housing agency (HA) that administers the HCVP. Currently, the waiting list for Section 8 is closed. Once the waiting list reopens, it will be advertised in local media, newspapers and libraries.
Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Program:
The Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Program (HCVHP) uses a voucher subsidy that once helped families pay rent to a landlord to be used to now help first-time homeowners to purchase their own home. The program is only eligible for current housing choice voucher recipients in good standing, first-time homeowners i.e., a family not having owned a home during the past 3 years, and families with a minimum of $30,000 of earned income. All families on this program must attend homeownership classes.
Family Self-Sufficiency Program:
The Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS) is a voluntary program for HCVP participants. The program requires that the head of household enter a five-year contract with the HA during which time the family will receive supportive services such as education and job training so they can become independent of the housing subsidy and become full-time, economically independent residents. When an FSS family pays a higher rent due to a higher income, the difference in increase between the old rent and the new rent is credited to the family’s escrow account.
Family Unification Program:
The Family Unification Program (FUP) promotes opportunity for a separated family to get back together by providing housing choice vouchers to families for whom the lack of adequate housing is the main factor in the separation, or the threat of imminent separation of children from their families. Clients for the family unification program must be referred for a housing choice voucher by the Department of Social Services (DSS) to the RAD.
Veterans Rental Assistance Program:
Veterans Rental Assistance Program (VRAP) is a local housing initiative established to provide permanent housing to homeless veterans in Prince George’s County. The program is a collaborative effort with other agencies like U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs, Prince George’s County Department of Social Services, non-profits, and private landlords. Veterans must have been residents of Prince George’s County in the most recent 12 months and must undergo a thorough assessment with the Veterans Administration for consideration to the program.
Disaster Housing Assistance Program:
The Disaster Housing Assistance Program (DHAP) is a HUD/FEMA initiative to provide long-term rental assistance for eligible families displaced by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Ike, and Gustav. Families must contact FEMA to determine their eligibility and subsequently be referred to HUD for final referral to Prince George’s Rental Assistance Unit.
Domestic Violence Program:
The Rental Assistance Unit’s Domestic Violence Program (DVP) provides long term housing for victims of domestic violence who are faced with imminent homelessness and for whom rental assistance will help place in a safe environment. The Rental Assistance Division works collaboratively with the Department of Family Services and the Family Crisis Center to screen victims and finally make a referral for rental assistance.
Mental Health/Disabilities:
The Mental Health/Disability Rental Assistance Program (MRAP) is a local initiative to provide long –term housing assistance to disabled residents of Prince George’s County. Families interested in the program must undergo a comprehensive screening with the Department of Family Services and subsequently be referred to the Rental Assistance Division for housing assistance.
The Welfare to Work Program:
The Welfare to Work Program (WtW) provides housing choice vouchers to families who have a critical housing need in order to obtain or retain employment. The head of household must be either working or enrolled in an educational or job training program on a 30-hour per week basis in order to qualify for or maintain assistance. All income information is verified for eligibility prior to admission into the program. Housing assistance is combined with other resources such as job training and childcare that are provided through partnerships with other agencies.
The Rental Allowance Program:
The Rental Allowance Program (RAP) provides fixed monthly rental assistance payments to eligible lower income homeless persons and households with critical and emergency housing needs. The assistance is on a short-term basis. The goal of the RAP is to demonstrate that these families with critical housing needs can return to long-term housing self-sufficiency following a short-term period of RAP subsidy payments.
Moderate Rehabilitation (Project-Based) Program:
The Moderate Rehabilitation Program (Mod Rehab) provides project-based rental assistance for low-income families. Project-based assistance is a component of the Housing Agency’s Housing Choice Voucher Program. The HA can attach up to 20 percent of its voucher assistance to specific housing units if the owner of multifamily housing agrees to either rehabilitate or construct the units, or the owner agrees to set aside a portion of the units in an existing development in exchange for low interest loans; the subsidy stays with the property and will not transfer with the family should they decide to move to other housing. All participants must meet the income criteria set by the Housing Choice Voucher Rental Assistance Program.
