Section 8

** As of September 1, 2011, the Carver County CDA will no longer be administering the Section 8 program for the Metro HRA.

Section 8 (Housing Choice Voucher Program) is a federally funded government program administered by the Metro HRA for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, handicapped and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. 

 
Program participants pay rent based on 30% to 40% for their household’s adjusted gross income.  This rental subsidy is paid directly to the property owner on behalf of the participating family.  The family then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the property owner and the amount subsidized by the program.

Under this program the dwelling unit must pass the program's housing quality standards inspection and be maintained up to those standards as long as the owner receives housing assistance payments.  Annual inspections must be completed and passed based on federally established Housing Quality Standards.

Waiting lists for vouchers are often long or closed.  For a map of participating communities, go to:  http://www.metrocouncil.org/housing/HRA/HRAMap.pdf

The current waiting list has over 3,000 names on it with an anticipated wait time of five to seven years. 

What is the difference between the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program and the Scattered Site Public Housing Program?

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program provides rental assistance for low- and moderate-income families who rent in the private rental market. The assisted household pays 30% of income toward rent and the voucher pays the difference between the actual rent and the household’s portion.

Residents of the Scattered Site Public Housing Program pay 30% of income toward rent for a specific public housing unit owned and managed by a local housing authority.