Housing Choice Voucher
Program
The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program provides access to affordable housing for low-income and very low-income individuals and families, including people with disabilities and senior citizens.
Waiting lists open periodically for the HCV program.
Most types of rental housing qualify for the HCV program.
Housing Choice Voucher Program
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Income Requirements
You may qualify for the HCV program if your household income does not exceed the very low-income limit established by HUD for the area in which you will be living.
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Which Type of Housing Qualifies?
Most rental housing, including single-family homes, apartments and mobile homes, qualifies for the HCV Program as long as it is in decent, safe and sanitary condition, as defined by regulation.
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Where We Operate
Virginia Housing partners with 30 local housing agencies across the Commonwealth to administer the HCV Program. The local housing agency works directly with applicants to determine their program eligibility and oversee their program participation.
If you do not see an administrator in your area, please click here to view HUD direct administrators.
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How Payments are Made
Once you are admitted to the HCV Program and lease a unit, Virginia Housing makes a monthly payment to your landlord on your behalf based on a percentage of your income. You are responsible for paying any remainder amount not subsidized by the voucher.
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How to Apply
Generally, you must apply for the HCV Program when there is an open waiting list. Each of our 30 agencies maintains a separate waiting list that covers their individual service areas. You must apply online when a waiting list opens. Our local housing agencies advertise waiting list openings in local area newspapers. Waiting list openings are also posted on VirginiaHousing.com.
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Participant Videos
Congratulations on your acceptance in the Housing Choice Voucher program. The briefing videos below will provide you with an overview of how to get started as well as roles and responsibilities.
HCV program video (English)
HCV program video (Spanish)
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Family Self-Sufficiency Program
If you’re an HCV participant, our Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program is designed to help you set and achieve goals — such as buying a home. You can apply for the program and work towards creating an escrow account with the help of a coach. For more information send an email to FSS@VirginiaHousing.com.
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Administrative Plan and Documents
Virginia Housing receives its funding for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
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Landlord Information
The program provides rental assistance payments to qualified landlords on behalf of eligible tenants.