2015 HCVP Waiting List Frequently Asked Questions

DHC Housing Choice Voucher Program*
2015 Waiting List Frequently Asked Questions
*Formally known as Section 8
THE HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER (HCV) PROGRAM
WHAT IS THE HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM?
The Housing Choice Voucher Program, formally known as Section 8, provides housing
assistance for low-income families in the private rental market. Voucher holders select
a unit from the private rental market and rental assistance is provided to make the
market-rate housing affordable.
HOW DOES THE HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM WORK?
Eligible families select a suitable rental unit. After passing a HQS inspection, DHC
establishes a contract to make rental subsidy payment to the owner on the family’s
behalf. The family also pays a portion of the rent based on the household income.
HOW DO I GET A VOUCHER?
You must submit an online pre-application to be on the waiting list when the waiting
list is open. There will be a lottery to select families from the pre-applications to be on
the waiting list. .
The buying and selling of section 8 Vouchers is a federal crime.
Please do not provide your personal information or pay any money to anyone claiming
to represent DHC. DHC does not charge or accept a fee for any service provided to our
applicants, participants or landlords.
If you are approached by anyone who requests a fee for any service that DHC provides,
that person is a scam artist and is not acting on behalf of DHC.
”Equal Housing Opportunity”
DHC will provide a reasonable accommodation to a qualified individual with a disability by providing modifications,
alterations or adaptation in policy, procedures, practices. Please advise us if you require a reasonable accommodation.
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WHY IS THERE A LOTTERY TO BE ON THE HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM
WAITLIST?
Since the demand for housing assistance often exceeds the limited resources available
to DHC, the waiting list random lottery process is established to ensure assistance is
distributed fairly. On March 2, 2015, DHC will begin accepting on-line pre-applications.
The pre-application is a request to be on the DHC HCVP waiting list. DHC will place
7,000 names on the waiting list using a lottery system. The random lottery selection
will be conducted and families will be informed of their waitlist status within 60 days of
the waiting list closing date.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN APPLICATION AND PRE-APPLICATION?
An application and pre-application are the same document. It is a request to be on the
waiting list.
THE DHC HCV PROGRAM WAITING LIST
HOW DO I APPLY?
Pre-applications for the DHC HCVP waiting list must be submitted on-line at
www.dhcmiwaitlist.org from 8:00 a.m. EST on Monday, March 2, 2015, through Sunday,
March 15, 2015, at 11:59 p.m. EST. This secure website is the manner in which all preapplications will be accepted. No paper applications will be accepted.
WHY AM I NOT ABLE TO SUBMIT MY APPLICATION ON THE WEBSITE TODAY?
The “Coming Soon” page will be available February 23, 2015 to review the application
procedures. The website will officially begin to receive applications on March 2, 2015.
I HAVE A DISABILITY THAT PROHIBITS ME FROM COMPLETING THE APPLICATION
ON-LINE, WHAT SHOULD I DO?
If you or a member of your household is a person with disabilities and requires a
specific reasonable accommodation to apply for the DHC Housing Choice Voucher
Program Waiting List, please call (313) 313-877-8689 or email waitlist@dhcmi.org to
submit a
”Equal Housing Opportunity”
DHC will provide a reasonable accommodation to a qualified individual with a disability by providing modifications,
alterations or adaptation in policy, procedures, practices. Please advise us if you require a reasonable accommodation.
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reasonable accommodation request. The reasonable accommodation request will be
reviewed and you will be contacted by phone within 3 business days of submission.
Please ensure you provide the following information with your request

Name, contact number and type of reasonable accommodation requested.
WHO CAN APPLY AND HOW OLD DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO APPLY?
Anyone can apply. The head of household must be at least 18 years old or a legal
emancipated minor at the time the pre-application is submitted.
WHY DO YOU ASK FOR AN EMAIL ADDRESS?
Email is a quick tool to contact you rather than using the postal service for mail
delivery. If you do not provide an email account on the DHC pre-application you will be
contacted using your mailing address.
CAN I APPLY IF I HAVE A DISABILITY OR SOMEONE IN MY FAMILY IS HANDICAPPED?
Yes.
I HAVE A CARE GIVER OR LIVE-IN AIDE; CAN I ADD THEM TO MY APPLICATION?
After the family is selected from the Waiting List, you can then request a live-in aide as
a reasonable accommodation.
CAN SINGLE MEN OR WOMEN APPLY?
Yes.
I AM PREGNANT NOW, SHOULD I ADD MY BABY?
No, only the current family members should be added to the application.
”Equal Housing Opportunity”
DHC will provide a reasonable accommodation to a qualified individual with a disability by providing modifications,
alterations or adaptation in policy, procedures, practices. Please advise us if you require a reasonable accommodation.
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DO I NEED TO BE A LEGAL CITIZEN TO APPLY?
No. At least one person on the application must be a legal citizen in order to receive
assistance. Assistance will be prorated to assist only the legal citizens.
IF I HAVE A CHILD WITH ME BUT DO NOT HAVE CUSTODY OF THE CHILD, CAN I
APPLY AND INCLUDE THAT CHILD WITH ME?
Yes, you can still apply. Your eligibility will be determined during the admission process
into the program.
MAY I APPLY MORE THAN ONCE?
Each household may only submit one pre-application form. Duplicate pre-applications
will be removed and will not be entered into the lottery.
HOW MUCH TIME DO I NEED TO COMPLETE THE ONLINE APPLICATION?
The online pre-application is designed to be quick and easy to complete. You will
need approximately 15 minutes to complete the pre-application.
DOES IT COST ANYTHING TO APPLY?
No. The buying and selling of section 8 Vouchers is a federal crime.
DHC does not charge or accept a fee for any service provided to our applicants,
participants or landlords.
If you are approached by anyone who requests a fee for any service that DHC provides,
that person is a scam artist and is not acting on behalf of DHC.
I LIVE IN PUBLIC HOUSING OR MOD REHAB, CAN I APPLY?
Yes.
IF I HAVE APPLIED TO ONE HOUSING AGENCY’S WAITING LIST, MAY I APPLY TO
DHC'S WAITING LIST?
Yes. You may apply to more than one waiting list.
”Equal Housing Opportunity”
DHC will provide a reasonable accommodation to a qualified individual with a disability by providing modifications,
alterations or adaptation in policy, procedures, practices. Please advise us if you require a reasonable accommodation.
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DO I HAVE TO BE EMPLOYED TO SIGN UP ON THE WAIT LIST?
No.
I WAS CONVICTED OF A FELONY OR MISDEMEANOR CAN I APPLY?
Yes, you may apply, however, you must meet DHC eligibility criteria, before you can be admitted
into the HCV Program.
IF I WAS TERMINATED FROM DHC, ANOTHER SECTION 8 OR PUBLIC HOUSING
PROGRAM CAN I APPLY FOR THE WAIT LIST?
Yes, you may apply, however you must meet DHC eligibility criteria.
IF I AM ON A WAIT LIST FOR ANOTHER SECTION 8 PROGRAM WITH ANOTHER
HOUSING AUTHORITY, CAN I STILL SIGN UP WITH YOU?
Yes.
CAN I APPLY IF I LIVE OUTSIDE OF THE DETROIT HOUSING
COMMISSION'S DESIGNATED COUNTIES?
Yes. Applications are accepted from everyone regardless of their current living location.
WHERE CAN I LIVE IF I RECEIVE A VOUCHER WITH DHC?
The DHC administers the HCVP in the following Detroit Metropolitan area Counties:
Wayne, Macomb, Oakland, Lapeer, and St. Clair.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE WAITLIST CLOSES AND HOW WILL I BE NOTIFIED
ABOUT MY APPLICATION?
A confirmation number will be issued to you immediately after you complete the online pre-application process. This confirmation number will only verify your preapplication has been successfully submitted; it is not verification that your preapplication has been accepted as part of the lottery process. If you lose your
confirmation number, DHC will not be responsible for providing a duplicate number.
Please ensure you store the confirmation number in a safe place.
The lottery to select the 7,000 applications will be conducted within 60 days of the
waiting list closing date. Those persons selected to be on the waiting list will receive
a notification by May 15, 2015.
”Equal Housing Opportunity”
DHC will provide a reasonable accommodation to a qualified individual with a disability by providing modifications,
alterations or adaptation in policy, procedures, practices. Please advise us if you require a reasonable accommodation.
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If an email address is provided on the pre-application, the pre-application status
notice will be sent via email. If an email is not provided on the pre-application,
correspondence will be sent via the US Postal Service. Please note if you provide an
email, DHC will only communicate your waiting list status with you via email.
MY PRE-APPLICATION WAS SELECTED IN THE LOTTERY. HOW DO I KNOW WHERE
I AM ON THE WAITING LIST?
You will not know and it is not possible to predict how long you will be on the waiting
list before your application is selected. The waiting list is dynamic and selection is
based on the level of available funding and the turnover rate of the HCV Program.
WHAT IF I AM SELECTED FOR THE WAITING LIST AND HAVE A CHANGE IN NAME OR
MAILING ADDRESS?
If your name or mailing address changes, you must notify us in writing at the DHC
Customer Service Center, Attention: Section 8 Waitlist Update, 2211 Orleans, Detroit, MI
48207. Include your full name, date of birth and previous address on file. DHC does not
provide status updates or make changes to the waiting list by phone calls.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MY NAME REACHES THE TOP OF THE WAITING LIST?
DHC will send you a letter by U.S. postal service requesting you complete the formal
application process. Once the information is verified and your application is determined
eligible, a voucher will be issued. If you do not respond to the letters your name will be
removed from the waiting list. Only two attempts to contact you will be made.
”Equal Housing Opportunity”
DHC will provide a reasonable accommodation to a qualified individual with a disability by providing modifications,
alterations or adaptation in policy, procedures, practices. Please advise us if you require a reasonable accommodation.
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