The HCV program is a rental housing assistance solution that places choice in the hands of the individual or family to find rental housing in the private market.
The HCV program assists low-income families, the elderly and disabled with housing rent payments in the private rental market. Participants choose their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses and apartments.
Participants may choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program and are not limited to units located in subsidized housing projects.
How It Works
Housing Choice Vouchers are administered locally by public housing agencies (PHAs). The PHAs receive federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer the voucher program. The tenant and DHA both pay a portion of the rent to the landlord. Qualified tenants pay approximately 30% of their income for rent.
What is a Project-based Voucher?
Project-based Vouchers are assigned to a variety of affordable apartment communities and single-family homes. They are awarded to individuals and families with a household income lower than 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Tenants pay 30% of their adjusted income toward an approved rent, and DHA pays the difference. These vouchers are attached to the housing units in the community and not the tenant(s).
What is a Walker Settlement Voucher?
Walker Settlement Vouchers are allocated for Class Members only (African-Americans), who agree to live in a Walker Eligible Census Tract (ECT) with low poverty that is not a minority neighborhood. Walker Voucher participants use a Payment Standard Schedule specifically for their housing voucher type which is set at 125% of the Fair Market Rents (FMRs) by ZIP code by voucher size.
What is the Mainstream Voucher Program?
Mainstream Vouchers are designed to help non-elderly people with disabilities who are transitioning from institutions to live independently in their community. Preference will be given to individuals referred by a DHA-approved support service provider agency who commits to provide ongoing supportive services to the applicant when selected.
What is the VASH Program?
DHA participates in the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program, which is a program created by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program combines Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance for homeless veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Participants are referred to DHA by the local VA.
Housing Choice Voucher Program Snapshot
The HCV program has several requirements and processes, which are highlighted in the overview below. You can also compare the HCV program to the public housing program by clicking on the button and reviewing the document with a side by side comparison table.
Compare to Public Housing
| HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER (SECTION 8) | |
|---|---|
| PROPERTY OWNER | Private Sector Landlord and/or Property Management Company |
| RENT PAYMENT METHOD | Tenant and DHA both pay a portion of the rent to the landlord |
| TENANT RENT | Qualified tenants pay approximately 30% of their income for rent; DHA determines the amount of tenant rent and the DHA subsidy based on federal guidelines |
| APPLICATION PROCESS | Applicants apply to participate in the DHA HCV program during open enrollment. |
| SELECTION PROCESS | Applications are selected by lottery. Eligibility is determined after applicants complete a full application, including criminal background screening. |
| UNIT SIZE | Studio to five bedrooms – DHA assigns the voucher size based on family composition and DHA subsidy standards. Tenants select dwelling unit of their choice, including number of bedrooms in the unit. |
| UNIT TYPE | Multi-family apartments, duplex or single-family detached homes, condominiums, townhomes, mobile homes |
| HOMEOWNERSHIP | Rental vouchers can be exchanged for homeownership vouchers, provided the client qualifies for a mortgage. |
| INCOME QUALIFICATION | See Table of Income Limits Below |
| SENIORS (62+) |  |
| PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES | |
| VETERANS | |
| WHEN CAN I APPLY? | Anytime |
| SOURCE OF ASSISTANCE FUNDS | U.S. Department of HUD |
| INCOME LIMITS | See Table of Income Limits Below |
Dallas Area Median Income
DHA’s affordable housing program admissions are based on an area median income (AMI), which is calculated according to your gross annual income (before taxes and benefits are deducted).
DHA follows state and federal income limits to determine eligibility. Here is a reference chart that has the most recent area median income (AMI) metrics for your reference.
Download PDF Version
DALLAS AREA MEDIAN INCOME: $110,300
| PERSONS PER HOUSEHOLD | EXTREMELY LOW INCOME LIMITS 30% Area Median Income | VERY LOW INCOME LIMITS 50% Area Median Income | LOW INCOME LIMITS 80% Area Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $23,200 | $38,650 | $61,800 |
| 2 | $26,500 | $44,150 | $70,600 |
| 3 | $29,800 | $49,650 | $79,450 |
| 4 | $33,100 | $55,150 | $88,250 |
| 5 | $36,580 | $59,600 | $95,350 |
| 6 | $41,960 | $64,000 | $102,400 |
| 7 | $47,340 | $68,400 | $109,450 |
| 8 | $52,720 | $72,800 | $116,500 |
| 9 | $58,100 | $77,250 | $123,550 |
| 10 | $63,480 | $81,650 | $130,650 |
| 11 | $68,860 | $86,050 | $137,700 |
Published by the U.S. Department of HUD for Dallas April 1, 2024
Ready to Apply?
If you are in need of housing assistance and believe you and your family qualify, you can learn more about how to apply for the HCV program by clicking the button below. In the application process you will interact with the RentCafe portal for your application, which is a different platform from this website.
How to Apply
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