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    Housing Choice Voucher Rent Assistance Program (Section 8)

     

    En Español

    The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program, formerly known as Section 8, is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income families, older adults and people with disabilities to afford decent, safe and sanitary housing in the private market. 

    Funding and Administration

    • The program is funded by the federal government through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). 
    • The program is administered at the local level by public housing agencies -- in Arlington, that's the Housing Choice Voucher Program Office of the Department of Human Services.
    • Housing Choice Voucher Program Fact Sheet

    Waiting List

    • Because of the high demand for Housing Choice Vouchers, Arlington County maintains a waiting list.
    • The waiting list is opened and closed depending on many factors, including its size, the number of vouchers available and the estimated length of time individuals would remain on the list before receiving a voucher. 
    • The Arlington County Housing Choice Voucher Program waiting list is currently closed.
    • Being accepted onto the HCV waiting list does not guarantee receipt of rental assistance. 
    • The waiting period to receive a Housing Choice Voucher can be five or more years. 
    • Once on the waiting list, it is the applicant's responsibility to notify the Housing Choice Voucher Program Office, in writing, of changes in address, status or family composition. 
    • Due to the length of the waiting list, applicants are also encouraged to apply for Housing Grants.

    Who is eligible?

    Two requirements must be met before an applicant is eligible for a Housing Choice Voucher: 

    • The applicant’s household must qualify as a “family”
    • The family’s annual income must fall at or below the applicable income limits.  

    A "family" may be a single person, a group of people, and may or may not include children.  Families may be elderly, disabled, or displaced.

    Priority

    Priority for the Housing Choice Voucher Program is awarded to applicants who:

    • Live, work or have been offered employment in Arlington County
    • Are homeless
    • Are a victim of domestic violence
    • Have a qualifying disability for the County's Permanent Supportive Housing Program

    Income guidelines (updated February 24, 2012)

    75% of the new families admitted to the HCV Program must have an income less than or equal to the extremely low income level.  The remaining 25% must fall at or below the very low income level.  

    Extremely Low Income
    Family SizeIncome LimitFamily SizeIncome Limit
    1$22,6004$32,250
    2$25,8005$34,850
    3$29,0506$37,450
    Very Low Income
    Family SizeIncome LimitFamily SizeIncome Limit
    1$37,6504$53,750
    2$43,0005$58,050
    3$48,4006$62,350
    Income limits subject to change.

    Overcoming Obstacles to Finding Housing

    Arlington County’s low vacancy rate can make it difficult for families with limited financial resources to find housing.  Landlords are looking for tenants with good references and credit.  If you know you have a poor credit history, now is the time to take steps toward repairing the damage.  Contact your local Consumer Credit Counseling Service (1-800-747-4222) or the Virginia Cooperative Extension (703-228-6400) for more information. 

    Where can I use my Voucher?

    There is no public housing in Arlington County. Housing Choice Vouchers may be accepted by any landlord. Properties may include single or multi-unit dwellings. It is the responsibility of the voucher holder to procure his or her own lease. 

    The following complexes accept tenants with Housing Choice Vouchers and offer a limited number of units for low or moderate income households. 

    Alexan 24703.664.0723
    The Arlington View Terrace*703.521.4010
    Arna Valley View703.892.1100
    Ashton House I, II, III703.538.7171
    Avalon at Arlington Square703.892.1100
    Ballston Park703.526.9600
    Buchanan Gardens703.486.1126
    The Barkalow703.528.8151
    The Berkeley703.684.4545
    Buckingham Village703.522.0991
    Calvert Manor703.528.8151
    Carlyn Springs703.528.8151
    Colonial Village West*703.524.1337
    Clarendon Court703.243.0555
    Colonial Village703.525.5555
    Columbia Commons703.671.3300
    Columbia Grove703.671.8383
    Courthouse Crossing703.528.7200
    Fisher House703.528.8151
    Fort Henry Gardens703.271.7113
    The Frederick703.243.0690
    Gallery at Rosslyn703.425.5379
    Gates of Ballston703.875.8607
    The Gramercy703.414.0001
    The Grove at Arlington703.330.1541
    Harvey Hall703.671.3900
    Historic Ballston Park703.526.9600
    Io Plaza703.379.2070
    The Jordan800.384.1389
    Jordan Manor703.538.7171
    Key Gardens703.671.3900
    Key Boulevard Apartments*703.524.1337
    Lecky Apartments703.528.8151
    Lenox Club703.418.1400
    Lofts 590703.413.1367
    Lorcom Arms703.528.8151
    The Macedonian703.920.1066
    The Madison at Ballston Station703.684.4545
    Marbella Apartments703.243.6650
    Meridian Apartments703.522.8700
    Metropolitan of Arlington703.979.2500
    Monterey Apartments703.379.6656
    Oakcrest Apartments703.522.8755
    The Odyssey703.522.8700
    Patrick Henry Apartments703.532.5000
    Pierce-Queen Apartments703.525.5555
    Quebec Apartments703.521.3313
    Queens Court Apartments703.528.7200
    Quincy Plaza703.312.0700
    Rosslyn Ridge703.528.7200
    Shelton703.920.0962
    South Ballston Place703.526.9600
    Taylor Square Apartments703.685.1491
    Virginia Gardens703.685.1491
    Vista on Courthouse703.253.8001
    Westover Apartments703.538.7171
    Whitefield Commons703.528.7751
    William Watters Apartments703.525.5555
    Woodbury Park703.525.0762
      
    Apartment Complexes for Older Adults (62+)
    and People with Disabilities
    The Carlin703.243.4300
    Claridge House703.521.9100
    Culpepper Garden703.528.0162
    Lockwood House703.538.6000
    Woodland Hill703.931.5700
        List is subject to change. Complexes with * maintain their own separate waiting lists.

    CONTACT US

    Arlington County
    Housing Choice Voucher
    Program Office

    2100 Washington Blvd.
    Arlington, VA 22204

    Tel:  703-228-1374
    Fax:  703-228-3799
    TTY:  703-228-1057
    Email:  HCV@arlingtonva.us


    Last Modified: April 12, 2013
    2100 Clarendon Blvd. Arlington, VA 22201 Tel: 703-228-3000 TTY: 703-228-4611