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Housing Authority - Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher

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1. Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Frequently Asked Questions

Please note this set of questions deals only with the Section 8 Waiting List. The Section 8 Waiting List is not currently open. If you are on the waiting list, you can update your application at the Flagstaff My Housing website.

If you wish to request a reasonable accommodation due to disability, including modifications, auxiliary aids and services, in regards to applying, please contact the Flagstaff Housing Authority immediately: 

• via email at housing@flagstaffaz.gov; 
• by phone at (928) 213-2730; or 
• by mail to 3481 N Fanning Drive, Flagstaff, AZ 86004.

You can access the Section 8 Reasonable Accommodation form online (PDF). Written and oral language services will be provided upon request. Please note that the Flagstaff Housing Authority lobby is currently closed to limit the spread of COVID-19.

If you speak a language other than English, use the Google Translate menu for an approximate translation. The Google Translate menu is to the bottom right of your web browser window on a desktop/laptop or scroll to the bottom of this page on a mobile device. Web browsers also support many text-to-speech plug-ins. See the Chrome Web Store, Firefox Browser Add-Ons page, and the how-to Internet Edge page or the how-to for Internet Explorer page.

Find the FAQs for Low Income Public Housing program at https://www.flagstaff.az.gov/Faq.aspx?QID=392

2. How will I know if the Section 8 Waiting List is open? When will it open again?

If you applied for Section 8 through the online portal and received a confirmation number, you were added to the Section 8 waiting list. You can register, check your status, and update your file through online as well. 

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list is closed to new applications. It opened Tuesday, November 19, 2019 at 8:00 am. It closed on Thursday, April 9, 2020.  

As was posted in local newspapers and on our website, when the Section 8 HCV waiting list reached 1,500 applicants, it was closed. Future openings will also be posted in local newspapers, on our website, and on our voicemail 30 days prior to opening.

3. How will I know if I am on the Waiting List for Section 8 HCV or not?

When you finished your online application, you received a confirmation number. If you received a confirmation number, you are on the waiting list. You can use that confirmation to register your account at the Flagstaff My Housing website. If you have lost your confirmation number, please email Housing.

4. If I need help with the Applicant Portal, what can I do?

The Applicant Portal includes a user guide that provides an overview on how to use the Applicant Portal; to access this, log into the portal and click on the notification "Welcome to My Housing!" If additional assistance is needed, email Flagstaff Housing or visit the Flagstaff Housing Authority office at 3481 North Fanning Drive during typical business hours. 

Please note that the Flagstaff Housing Authority lobby is currently closed to limit the spread of COVID-19.

5. I've applied for Section 8. What is my status or number on the Waiting List?

To find out your status on the Waiting List, go to the Applicant Portal; this will show you your active lists. We do not disclose specific waiting list positions, as waiting list positions change due to a variety of factors. However, we do disclose the date and time of the applications near the top of the waiting list, which you can compare to the date and time of your application to understand the wait time to expect. Email housing@flagstaffaz.gov with the name of the head of household and we will get back to you.

Remember: We process those applicants with the residency preference before we process those that do not have it. Keep your file up-to-date to ensure you are processed at an appropriate time.

6. What is the Waiting List screening process? When will I receive a voucher?

When your application is near the top of the list: 

1. A record request (background check) will be sent to you. Return this by the deadline as described in the letter and email. 
2. Some time after we receive your record request, you will be informed of a required eligibility interview and sent the "Initial Declaration," which is the full application packet. Complete this and gather the requested documents to bring to your applicant eligibility interview.
3. Once you have been found eligible and a voucher is available you will be brought in for a Section 8 Briefing. You must attend a Section 8 Briefing where you will receive the voucher.

Vouchers are only available when one is no longer in use by a current voucher-holder. Therefore, we cannot predict the rate at which vouchers will be made available. Wait time for those with the residency preference (described below) is typically 18 months or longer.  

7. What do you mean "preference"?

We give preference to those who live or work in Flagstaff. Your residency preference status on the Waiting List is based on whether your primary residence is in Flagstaff, an adult household member works or is self-employed at least 20 hours a week in Flagstaff, or an adult household member has an offer of work in Flagstaff. If this changes for you it will change your position on the Waiting List. If you are experiencing homelessness, you are encouraged to report that in your application or in an update.

If your situation changes, please update your information through the Portal at https://flagaz.myhousing.com/Account/Login. Your preference status can change while you’re on the waiting list. 

8. I applied and have not received a letter or a phone call. Will I?

If you received a confirmation number when you applied, you are on the waiting list. We do not send letters confirming that your name is on the waiting list. Visit the Applicant Portal to check your status. 

The Flagstaff Housing Authority does not request or disclose information over the phone.

9. How do I obtain a Login for the Applicant Portal? I have lost my confirmation number, what do I do?

Go to the Applicant Portal Registration page, then enter the confirmation number provided when you completed your application. If you did not record your confirmation number, you can receive assistance at the City of Flagstaff Housing Authority office at 3481 North Fanning Drive during normal business hours, write to us, or contact us via housing@flagstaffaz.gov.

As with all applicant updates, we cannot discuss your information over the phone. This is to protect your personal information.

10. After I apply, why does it take so long to receive assistance?

We have only a limited number of vouchers to offer. We are unable to offer assistance to a new family until one who is currently assisted leaves the program. By responding clearly, completely, and quickly to requests for information, you can help us house your family as promptly as possible.

11. How do I change my address or phone number? How do I add another household member? How do I update my income/report a new job?

You can update your information through the MyHousing Portal at flagaz.myhousing.com/Account/Login. If you need assistance, contact us in writing at housing@flagstaffaz.gov or by writing to 3481 N Fanning Drive, Flagstaff, AZ 86004 The Flagstaff Housing Authority does not make changes or disclose information over the phone.

If you have already submitted your record request (background check), any changes should be reported directly to housing@flagstaffaz.gov or in writing to 3481 N Fanning Drive, Flagstaff, AZ 86004 so they can be passed on to the program manager or case worker handling your file.

It can take up to three business days or longer to approve changes, especially when our staff our on leave, such as around holidays. You cannot make additional updates until our staff resolve any pending changes

12. Why should I update my application?

You should update your information so that we can contact you quickly when you near the top of the list and that your preferences are accurate. If you fail to update your email and mailing addresses, you may miss the opportunity to be housed and/or may be removed from the waiting list, at which point you would be removed from the waiting list and have to reapply, losing your original application date and time. 

You are encouraged to verify your file information every six months. You can update your information by logging in to the Applicant Portal. If you need access to a computer or additional assistance, come into our office during typical business hours: Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. If you have submitted your record request (background check), any changes should be reported directly to housing@flagstaffaz.gov so they can be passed on to the program manager or case worker handling your file. 

13. If I have a felony will that automatically make me ineligible? What about rental history or other criminal activity?

No, felonies do not immediately make applicants ineligible. Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher applicants will be screened for program suitability. We review criminal activity related to drug, disturbance and/or violent activity documented through police reports, Landlord references or convictions. This will include credit, landlord reference, and criminal background checks. (Criminal background checks are requested for all residents 18 years or older as part of pre-interview screening.) Sex offenders under lifetime registration requirements are disqualified under federal law.

Disqualification

Reasons for disqualification include, but are not limited to:

• Debts owed to previous landlords or Public Housing Authorities
• Delinquent utility debts
• Drug or alcohol related arrests or evictions
• Gang related activity
• Past evictions or poor landlord references
• Property tax liens
• Violent crimes

Efforts to repay past delinquencies and successful completion of drug or alcohol abuse programs will be taken into account when determining tenant suitability. Lack of credit history is not cause for disqualification. 

VAWA Protection

If you are denied admission, you have the right to request a Grievance Hearing. Under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), you cannot be denied because you were a victim of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault. If you are seeking VAWA protection, download and fill out the Emergency Transfer Request form (PDF) and find information concerning your rights (PDF).

14. How will I know what size of home I can apply for with a Section 8 voucher?

Bedroom size is calculated by looking at the age and sex of the family members. 

Children of the opposite sex will share a room up to age 10. Children of the same sex will share a room up to age 16. Therefore a family of four with one adult parent (first room), two children under age 10 (second room), and one child 16 or over (third bedroom) would qualify for a three bedroom unit. If the family of four included an adult parent (first room), a male child of 11 (second room), a female child of 13 (third room), and a child of 17 (fourth room), they would qualify for a four bedroom unit.

15. My family includes citizens and/or permanent resident non-citizens. My family also includes non-citizens who are not Permanent Residents. Are we still eligible for Section 8/Low-Income Public Housing?

Yes. While the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations prohibit assistance to individual ineligible family members, mixed-eligibility households may receive assistance from either Section 8 or Low-Income Public Housing. However, assistance will be provided on behalf of family members who are eligible.

Income from both eligible and ineligible household members are included in calculating household rent responsibility. Both eligible and ineligible household members are included in the household size when determining the appropriate income limit and eligible number of bedrooms.

Rental Assistance for a Mixed-Eligibility Family

Concerning Section 8 and Section 9.6.3 of the Administrative Plan, rental assistance for a mixed-eligibility family is calculated as if all the family members are eligible and then adjusted by the family’s percentage of eligibility. Calculating a family’s subsidy considers factors such as eligible bedroom size (see "How will I know what size of home I can apply for with a Section 8 voucher?"), the market rate of the rental unit, and the household income of all family members (including ineligible family members). 

Based on this formula, if the full subsidy that would be paid to the landlord for a completely eligible household were $1,000, the landlord of a family with three eligible members and one ineligible member would receive a subsidy of $750. The household would be responsible for paying both their typical rent responsibility (30% of household income) and this difference to their landlord.

16. What would my rent be with a voucher?

Your rent will be based on your family income. In most cases, you will pay approximately 30% of your adjusted income toward rent. When there is a change in household income, that may change your rent. When you attend a briefing, you will be provided a voucher that identifies the value of your voucher.

Once you are receiving your voucher, it is important to keep your income information updated. If income information is filed late, and that income is greater than our files, you will likely need to arrange a payment agreement with the Flagstaff Housing Authority to reconcile the over-payment of your voucher.

17. I have been denied. What can I do?

If you are denied admission, you have the right to request a Grievance Hearing. Under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), you cannot be denied because you were a victim of domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault (access the Certification of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking and Alternate Documentation form (PDF)). Grievance Hearing requests are addressed to Section 8 Manager Tracey French. who can be reached via email at tfrench@flagstaffaz.gov or at:

Tracey French
Flagstaff Housing Authority
3481 N Fanning Drive
Flagstaff, AZ 86004

You can mark envelopes for Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) submissions as Confidential if you prefer. View more information on VAWA here (PDF).

18. Where are the homes I can rent?

The Housing Choice Vouchers maintained by the City of Flagstaff Housing Authority can be used for homes with a physical address of:

• 86001
• 86004
• 86005
• 86011

Not all landlords accept Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers. Check out a list of complexes with whom we have worked well in the past (PDF).

19. I have been discriminated against in my search for housing. What can I do?

The City of Flagstaff is committed to fair housing. The Federal Fair Housing Act and the State of Arizona prohibit housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, national origin, and familial status. For legal assistance, the City of Flagstaff Housing Authority refers households to the non-profit DNA Legal Services and to the Southwest Fair Housing Council.

Further Information

For more information see:

• The Age Discrimination Act of 1975
• Americans with Disabilities Act Title II Regulations
• Fair Housing First
• Housing Discrimination Page with the Arizona Attorney General
• The National Fair Housing Alliance
• Section 109 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974
• Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development: Fair Housing
• Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Reauthorization 2013