Welcome, Section 8 Participants!
Resources, responsibilities, and answers to common questions for current Housing Choice Voucher participants in INRHA's jurisdiction.
Responsibilities
It is the participant's responsibility to know the rules. The following applies to Section 8 participants in INRHA's jurisdiction and may differ from other housing authorities.
Family Responsibilities
- Comply with all program rules, regulations, and family obligations
- Provide complete and accurate information to INRHA
- Sign and submit consent forms for obtaining information
- Find a suitable place to live that meets program standards
- Attend all scheduled appointments
- Allow INRHA to inspect the unit
- Allow the landlord to enter the unit to complete necessary repairs after reasonable notice
- Comply with terms of the lease and HUD's tenancy addendum
- Pay rent on time
- Report maintenance problems in a timely manner
- Not commit any serious or repeated violation of the lease
Owner Responsibilities
- Screen families
- Comply with fair housing laws — do not discriminate
- Maintain housing unit to meet HUD's minimum Housing Quality Standards (HQS)
- Comply with terms of the Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) Contract
- Collect rent due by the family — enforce the lease
- Not require the family to pay additional amounts not specified in the lease
- Notify INRHA when unit is vacant
- Notify INRHA of your plan to sell the unit
- Certify they are not related to the family
INRHA Responsibilities
- Accept applications
- Determine eligibility of applicants
- Issue Housing Choice Vouchers — includes briefings
- Recruit owners/landlords
- Inspect and reinspect units — initially and at least annually
- Approve leases and the owner
- Make timely housing assistance payments
- Ensure continued eligibility of family
- Ensure compliance of rules and regulations by owners and families
- Offer and conduct hearings
Required Briefing Video
All participants are required to watch the program briefing video before receiving their voucher.
Briefing Video LinkNote: This video is password protected. Contact the INRHA office for access.
Housing Quality Standards (NSPIRE)
Inspectors enforce the housing quality standards established by HUD, called NSPIRE (National Standards for the Inspection of Real Estate) to ensure assisted units meet minimum health and safety standards.
A quick reference guide for items to be inspected is in A Good Place to Live, available from our office.
Most Common Inspection Failures
- Inoperable smoke alarms (dead batteries or missing batteries)
- Missing or cracked electrical outlet cover plates
- Railings not present where required (four or more steps)
- Deteriorated paint surfaces (peeling, cracking, or flaking paint)
- Tripping hazards from permanently installed floor coverings
- Cracked or broken window panes
- Inoperable burners on stoves or inoperable range hoods
- Missing burner control knobs
- Defective refrigerator gaskets (broken seal allowing air to escape)
- Leaking faucets or other plumbing
- No temperature/pressure relief valve on water heaters
- No insulation around front and back doors
- No GFCI outlet within six feet of a water source
Resources for Finding a Unit
INRHA suggests utilizing Facebook Marketplace, newspapers, Craigslist, and the following free websites when looking for available units.
Is INRHA billing or absorbing?
Until further notice, INRHA is billing. If you are trying to port to our jurisdiction from your current housing authority, they will need this information. Our payment standards can be found on the Documents page under the current year and "Payment Standards".
The landlord asked me to pay more money than approved by INRHA. Is that allowed?
Absolutely not. Families can only pay the amount specified by INRHA. This amount reflects what you can afford based on income and family composition reported to INRHA. It is considered fraud if the landlord requires you to pay anything other than what has been approved by INRHA. Both parties could face fraud charges and be ordered to repay any amounts paid by INRHA. You may also be terminated from the program.
Can I add someone to my lease or household?
A request to add someone to the household MUST be placed in writing and submitted to the Housing Coordinator. The request must detail where the person lived before, why it is necessary to add them, and what income the person may have. You must already have your landlord's written approval. All of this must be completed prior to move-in.
What is portability?
Portability allows eligible families to lease a unit anywhere in the United States where there is a Housing Agency operating a Housing Choice Voucher program.
I've got a new income source. How long do I have to report it?
TEN DAYS. If it has already been longer than 10 days, do not wait — email the director immediately to report your changes. Failure to report changes in a timely manner can result in having to repay overpayments made to your landlord on your behalf, and possible termination from the program.
My utilities were turned off. What do I do?
Call INRHA immediately to notify us. You will have 24 hours to make arrangements to have them reconnected. Failure to make arrangements will result in termination of your housing assistance.
I received an eviction or non-renewal notice from my landlord. What now?
Call INRHA to discuss next steps and furnish any copies of documents from your landlord promptly to the housing authority.
Still Have Questions?
Reach out to our office during business hours. You can also email us directly if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Office hours: Mon–Thu 8:30 AM–5:00 PM | Fri 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM