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

1

Check eligibility

Determine if you’re eligible for the Housing Choice Voucher program by comparing your income to the chart linked below. Based on your household size, your income must be below the listed amount to qualify for voucher programs. We’ll verify your income in the application process.
Income limits →
2

Pre-application

Once our waitlist opens, you’ll have to submit a pre-application, with your contact information. Due to the number of applications we receive, we cannot offer vouchers to every applicant, so only a limited number of applications will be chosen. We use a random lottery system to choose applications for placement onto the HCV waiting list.
Our waitlist →
3

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.

4

Orientation

Once your application has been reviewed and accepted, you’ll have to complete an orientation briefing, which all adult members are required to attend. This will provide you with more information about the program, and, you’ll be provided with a voucher/landlord packet, containing important information.
5

Selection

After your briefing is complete, you’re ready to select a housing location. This can either be your current property, or a new property. For affordable housing locations near you, check out affordablehousing.com.

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.
6

Finalization

After all documents and processes are finalized, housing assistance begins. You’re now a tenant within the program and are responsible for paying 30% of your monthly adjusted income towards rent, and we cover the remainder.

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.

More information

How your rent is determined

Payment Standards

Affordable Housing Locations

A Good Place to Live

Violence Against Women Notice of Rights

Questions?

Applying for rental assistance can be a complex process, but we’re here to guide you every step of the way. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
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We are an Equal Housing Opportunity Provider. We provide housing without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, physical or mental handicap, familial status, national origin, or other protected class.

This site was created by Kevin Bryniak