What is the Housing Choice Voucher Program?
The Housing Choice Voucher Program provides housing assistance for low income families in the private rental market.  Rental voucher holders select a unit from the private rental market.  Rental assistance makes market-rate housing affordable.  Program participants typically pay no more than 30% of their monthly adjusted income towards rent and utilities.  The housing assistance payment subsidizes the balance of the rent to the property owner. (Return to top)

How can I become part of this program?
Eligibility for a rental voucher is determined by the Punta Gorda Housing Authority (PGHA) based on the total annual gross income and family size and is limited to U.S. citizens and specified categories of non-citizens who have eligible immigration status.  The family’s income many not exceed 50% of the area median income.  Median income levels are published by HUD and vary by location.  The PGHA can provide income limits for the area and family size.  During the application process, the PGHA will collect information on family income, assets and family composition.  The PGHA will verify this information with other local agencies, employers and bank and will use the information to determine program eligibility and the amount of the rental assistance payment. 

If the PGHA determines that the family is eligible, the PGHA will put the family on a waiting list, unless it is able to assist the family immediately.  Once the household reaches the top of the list,  the PGHA notifies the family and issues a rental voucher.(Return to top)

Where can I live?
Once a family has been issued a rental voucher, the family searches the private rental market in the community for a housing unit that is decent, safe and sanitary according to Housing Quality Standards (HQS) established by HUD and the PGHA. (Request a copy of the HUD booklet "A Good Place to Live!," for guidance in finding a unit that meets these standards.) When the family finds a suitable unit and the owner agrees to lease the unit under the housing choice voucher program, the PGHA will inspect the unit to assure that it is suitable. After the unit passes HQS inspection and the rent has been approved, the landlord and tenant enter into a lease for an initial term of one year. The PGHA and the landlord sign a Housing Assistance Payments Contract through which the rent is assisted on the family’s behalf.  Tenant is responsible for the monthly payment of the difference between the total rent and the housing assistance payment. (Return to top)

Can I move and continue to receive this assistance?
A family's housing needs change over time with changes in family size, job locations, and for other reasons. The Housing Choice Voucher Program is designed to allow families to move without the loss of rental assistance. Moves are permissible as long as the family notifies the housing authority ahead of time, terminates its existing lease within the appropriate provisions, and finds acceptable alternate housing. Under the voucher program, new voucher holders may choose a unit anywhere in the United States if the family has lived within the jurisdiction of the current housing authority for at least 12 months while receiving assistance. A family that wishes to move to another housing authority's jurisdiction must consult with the housing authority that currently administers its rental assistance to verify the procedures for moving. (Return to top)


What is the term of the lease?
The lease is for one year. After one year, the lease is renewed according to the terms required by the landlord. The family may vacate with a notice after the term of the lease expires. If the family remains in the unit, the family is recertified for eligibility and the unit is inspected for Housing Quality Standards annually.(Return to top)

How do I apply for assistance?
If interested, apply at the PGHA main office. Interested persons may also download a copy of the application here, fill it out and mail it or bring it into the main office.(Return to top)