Housing Choice Vouchers
The Housing Authority of Travis County’s (HATC) housing choice voucher program is a federally funded program created to help very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary rent.
Once approved, the participant is free to choose any housing within Travis County that meets our quality and safety requirements, so long as the owner/landlord agrees to rent under the program. This could be the family’s present residence, or a new residence.
A percentage of rent is paid to the landlord directly by HATC on behalf of the participating family. The family then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount covered by the program. Usually, this is 30% of their monthly adjusted income.
HATC uses a waiting list to award the funds to eligible individuals and families. Names are selected from the waiting list randomly, as vouchers become available.
Application steps
Check eligibility
Pre-application
Review
If you’re selected, housing specialists will review your eligibility by
- assessing your total household’s income based on the current year’s income limits,
- reviewing your criminal background based on current HCV administrative plan standards, and
- determining whether you owe any debts to another housing authority.
If you were not selected (due to a lack of spaces), you’ll have to resubmit your pre-application once our waitlist opens again.
Orientation
Selection
Once you’ve located suitable housing, a Housing Quality Standards Inspection will be conducted, and if it passes, you’ll sign a lease with the landlord.
Finalization
Each year, housing assistance must be recertified. You can choose to remain and renew your current lease, or you may choose to receive a new voucher, and search for other suitable housing.
