We are now offering a landlord incentive program that runs until July 31, 2021. Funds are available by Housing and Urban Development to increase participation in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program), also known as Section 8.
We need your help – the tenant, landlord and voucher payee (RHA) all have obligations and responsibilities under the HCV program. To work effectively, it requires active and willing participation from all parties. We understand and recognize that the additional requirements for landlords to accept an HCV participant can be a deterrent to accepting applications and we hope that by reducing some financial and process barriers we can help you help low-income families in need throughout our community, have a quality, safe and affordable place to live.
Incentives include:
Repayment Plan Incentive: Rochester Housing Authority may pay a financial incentive to the landlord when they set up a repayment plan to assist Housing Choice Voucher participants in maintaining housing when their rent is in arrears.
Tenant Damage Reimbursement: Rochester Housing Authority may make a one-time payment to a landlord to make repairs for participant responsible damages (beyond normal wear and tear) to assist the unit in passing RHA’s Housing Quality Standards so housing assistance payments can continue.
Security Deposit Initiative: RHA may pay the security deposit for Housing Choice Voucher participants impacted by COVID-19, to the landlord, for up to the cost of one full month of rent.
Leasing Up Bonus: RHA may offer a bonus to landlords when they lease a new unit to a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) participant. New landlords may be eligible to receive a one-time $1,000 bonus payment per unit and existing landlords may be eligible to receive a one-time $500 bonus payment per new unit leased, with a limit of five qualifying units per landlord.
Rehabilitation Cost Recovery Plan: RHA may reimburse landlords for up to $1,000 for vendor services used to perform repairs or improvements to a Section 8 housing unit.
Lead Clearance or Testing Costs: RHA may reimburse a landlord up to $500 per unit, in which, an RHA HQS Move-in inspection requires Lead Clearance or testing. A passed Lead Clearance test is required along with lease-up of an HCV participant.
Interested property owners can learn more about this program contact RHA’s Office of Leasing Operations at (585) 697-6105.
Want to become an RHA landlord? It’s easy. If you have, or will have an apartment available for rent, simply click here to sign up and begin listing your available apartment units online or by calling 1-866-466-7328 or via email at landlordsupport@gotosection8.com. (use info on the website already - https://www.rochesterhousing.org/landlords )