Section 8 opens up the process of rental assistance to people on low incomes

MIAMI.- Beginning Feb. 5, Plan 8 -Section 8- begins, the federal government’s bond program that helps rent housing for low-income people in Miami-Dade, the county hardest hit by the housing crisis. Affordable housing and the low income of its residents.

The subsidized rental housing program will select 5,000 people through a lottery to be part of the waiting list, according to Alex Ballina, director of Public Housing and Community Development for Miami-Dade (PHCD). DIARIO LAS AMÉRICAS).

“Applications to participate in the draw will be open from February 5 to 19. We will accept as many applications as we receive, but we will only select 5,000 people to be part of the waiting list, where they will receive the fare vouchers,” Bellina explained.

The county warns that applications will only be accepted through the Miami-Dade website and asserts that applicants’ participation in the random drawing will be on the same terms, “regardless of the date and time of their application submission.” Once this is completed online, the interested party will receive a confirmation number to identify that the process was successful.

It is important to note that those who submit more than one application or make misleading or false statements will be disqualified, the official website clarifies.

Individuals selected for the waitlist will receive a second notification by mail from PHCD and then check their waitlist status at https://miamidadevoucher.myhousing.com/webApp/lotterychecker or by calling 786-654-8440 or (786) 469-4100 can check.

It is crucial that selected persons respond in writing to the notices they receive from PHCD. Please note that you will never be asked for a credit card number nor will a credit report be required, the call clarifies.

Eligibility Requirements:

The voucher program requires that the applicant’s household meet certain income limits:

• The head of the household requesting the voucher must be at least 18 years of age.
• The individual’s family unit must earn up to $36,150 annually.
• A two-person family unit must not exceed $41,300 per year.
• A family of three can earn up to $46,450 a year.
• A family unit of four cannot exceed $51,600.
• A family unit of five should not earn more than $55,750 per year.

In previous years, there was widespread complaint that many people on the Plan 8 waiting list had difficulty finding rent within the required time frame because vouchers were insufficient to meet market prices. According to Ballina, the good news is that the payment standard for vouchers in 2024 is 20% higher than last year.

The current program provides $2,072 for a one-bedroom home, $2,556 for a two-bedroom, $3,330 for a three-bedroom and $3,948 for a four-bedroom home, the website shows.

Beneficiaries of the program must allocate at least 30% of their income to pay rent for subsidized housing. The balance of the monthly payment is directly deposited by the housing authority into the account of the owner of the rented unit.

How it works

The selected individual or voucher holder is informed of the unit size they can rent based on family composition. Then, you have to go out and find the house you want to rent. It is recommended that you work with a real estate agent specializing in Plan 8 to avoid wasting your time and vouchers.

“Renting is the same as the normal process. Voucher holders must find the unit they want to rent and reach an agreement with the owner to see if they agree to work with the plan. If they If agreed, the owner must fill in the application with your personal and banking information,” said Jacqueline Uroz, a real estate agent who specializes in Plan 8.

“Owners like to know who is going to live in the unit. They usually request a background check on the voucher holder, to see if the person has had a history of disorder in other units. Additionally, proof of income, whether it’s retirement, disability or payroll.

Understandably, they are low income earners. The amount of rent that tenants will pay is very small; Most contracts are assumed by Plan 8. Above all, the landlord is interested in knowing that the tenant is able to pay the water and electricity services — if they are not included — and their portion of the rent, he suggested.

Inspection

The scheme sends an inspector to check whether the house meets the minimum reasonable safety and sanitation requirements for rent. “The inspector checks that all the switches and outlets work, the refrigerator, that the air conditioning in the house has hot and cold air, that there are no leaks and that the windows and doors close and open properly,” the expert explained.

If it passes inspection, the voucher holder signs a lease with the landlord. On the other hand, the owner and the plan sign an agreement regarding support payments for the same term as the lease agreement.

“If the unit owner has worked with the plan, already has a provider number, the rental process will only take a week or two. On the other hand, if he is a new owner, acceptance by the plan can take four to two weeks. . six weeks”.

According to Uroz, owners benefit greatly when working with Plan 8: “The business is very stable, they avoid shocks, because the government pays.”

cmendez@diariolasamericas.com

@menendezpryce

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