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In
determining an apartment complex and/or housing facility’s eligibility
for inclusion in The Directory of Accessible Housing, the Fair Housing
Council of Greater San Antonio considered whether the complex/facility
participated in any housing programs funded by the local, state, or
federal government. Many listings in The Directory participate in
housing programs. To determine whether a particular housing facility
participates in a housing program, please refer to The Directory’s
Property Reference Guide or the individual property listings. The
following housing programs are listed in The Directory:
SECTION 8 VOUCHER / TENANT-BASED HOUSING ASSISTANCE:
Generally administered by a local Housing Authority, this program
allows qualified individuals to pay a percentage of their income
(usually 30%, depending on family size and other factors) for rental
housing. The Housing Authority or program pays the remainder of the
rent directly to the housing provider. Once a consumer is accepted
into the Section 8 voucher program, he/she receives a packet of
information that explains the maximum amount of rent that the voucher
will provide. The consumer then has a set amount of time to look for
suitable housing that accepts Section 8 vouchers. Once the consumer
has found a potential
rental unit, he/she must have the unit inspected by the Housing
Authority or program administering the voucher. If the unit passes
inspection, the Housing Authority or program negotiates a rent amount
with the landlord, the paperwork is completed, and the consumer moves
into the unit. The consumer is now a tenant and is responsible for the
portion of rent determined by the Housing Authority. Providing that
the tenant continues to meet the eligibility criteria and fulfills the
lease term successfully, he/she can choose to move and still receive
the Section 8 voucher assistance. You can apply for the Section 8
voucher program at the San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA) located at
818 S. Flores, San Antonio, Texas or call SAHA at (210) 277-3500. If
you are disabled, you can apply for SAHA’s Section 8 voucher program
by calling the Center On Independent Living at (210) 599-7711,
extension 111. The Bexar County Housing Authority (BCHA) also issues
Section 8 vouchers for persons interested in renting housing in areas
outside of San Antonio’s city limits that are not served by SAHA. To
apply, contact the Bexar County Housing Authority at (210) 225-0071.
PROJECT-BASED HOUSING ASSISTANCE:
Housing providers that provide project-based housing assistance offer
qualified housing consumers dwelling units at rent rates lower than
conventional market rate rents. Consumers pay a set amount of rent,
usually 30% of their income, depending on family size and other
factors. The apartment complex receives this type of funding, not the
tenant. Thus, if a tenant decides to move-out of the complex, he/she
will give up the right to this housing assistance. If you are
interested in renting an apartment at an apartment complex or other
housing facility that provides project-based housing assistance,
please contact the apartment complex or housing facility to determine
if you qualify for their lower rate rents. If the apartment complex is
owned by the San Antonio Housing Authority, all persons must apply at
the San Antonio Housing Authority (SAHA) located at 818 S. Flores, San
Antonio, Texas or call SAHA at (210) 242-3880.
LOW-INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT (LIHTC) PROGRAM:
Some apartment complexes receive low-income housing tax credits to
provide housing at a lower rental rate than the market rate. The Texas
Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) is the only entity
in the state of Texas with the authority to allocate tax credits under
this program. The apartment complexes that receive the tax credits set
aside a certain percentage of units for eligible low-income families
and lease these units at below market rate rents. Consumers can obtain
a complete listing of the properties that receive low-income housing
tax credits by contacting the Texas Department of Housing and
Community Affairs at (512) 475-3800 or accessing their website at
www.tdhca.state.tx.us.
HOME PROGRAM
The HOME Program helps to develop affordable housing for low-income
families by providing grants to State and local governments. State and
local governments use the funds for projects including new
construction, rehabilitation, assistance to homebuyers, and
tenant-based rental assistance. Tenant-based rental assistance follows
the tenant and gives him/her the ability to choose from different
housing providers. Providers of this type of housing assistance
usually include city programs and city and county Housing Authorities.
Consumers can obtain a complete listing of the properties that receive
this funding by contacting the Texas Department of Housing and
Community Affairs |
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