2024 CHA Waiting List FAQ

1. What is the Housing Choice Voucher Program?

CHA’s Housing Choice Voucher Program, commonly known as Section 8, provides eligible very low-income households (“Participants”) with opportunities to live in rental homes owned by private landlords. Participants choose where they want to live, as long as the unit is approved by CHA through an inspection and determination that the rent is reasonable. CHA pays a portion of the contracted rent in the form of a housing assistance payment to the landlord on behalf of the Participant.  The Participant pays a minimum of 30% of the household’s monthly adjusted income or the monthly minimum rent requirement of $50, whichever is greater directly to the landlord.

2. How can I apply for the waiting list?

Application can be accessed online only at the CHA Applicant Portal on Monday, July 15, 2024 at 9:01 am and closes on Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at 8:59 AM.

3. What happens after I submit the pre-application?

Following the closing of the pre-application registration period (Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at 8:59 AM.), pre-applications will be selected for the waiting list using a computerized, random selection process.  Once sorting has been completed, the applicants who have randomly been assigned numbers 1 – 1,500 will be placed on the HCVP waiting list.  The remaining applications will be discarded.  Those who are not placed on the waiting list will need to re-apply to our waiting list once we begin accepting new applications again at some undetermined date in the future.

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ALL pre-applications – whether submitted at the beginning of day on Monday, July 15, 2024 at 9:01 a.m. EST or the end of day on Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at 8:59 AM. EST of the pre-application period will be placed in random order by the 3rd party software.

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To check your application, any time after Wednesday, July 17, 2024 @ 12:00 pm you can go to our website at www.chahousing.org and follow the link to log in to your CHA Applicant Portal 

If you are not in the lottery selection of 1,500, your application will be discarded and you will need to re-apply to our waiting list once we begin accepting new applications again.  You do not need to call our office for any further information if you were not selected and your name is not on the list!

4.  May I call the Chattanooga Housing Authority to find out what number I am listed on the HCVP/Section 8 Waiting List?

NO.  You may visit our website (www.chahousing.org) any time after 12:00 p.m. (noon) EST on Wednesday, July 17, 2024 for the link to the CHA Applicant Portal  and check your application.  

5. How many pre-applications may I submit?

Only ONE pre-application per registrant will be accepted.  Submitting more than one application will automatically disqualify you from the waiting list.

6.  Can I call CHA to obtain my placement on the waiting list?

NO.  To check your application, any time after Wednesday, July 17, 2024 @ 12:00 pm you can go to our website at the CHA Applicant Portal.

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7. Can more than one person in my household submit a pre-application for the waiting list?

Yes. Each registrant, however, must be 18 years of age or older or be an emancipated minor in accordance with the laws of the state of Tennessee.

8. What are the admissions requirements for an applicant to be admitted into the Housing Choice Voucher Program?

Eligibility for a housing voucher is determined by the CHA at time of selection from the waiting list and is based on the following:

·         Income: The gross annual household income must not exceed the HUD-determined Income Limits for the family size shown below:  (gross annual income is before any deductions such as taxes, garnishments, childcare, etc)

In order to qualify for a housing choice voucher, your household income must not exceed the Very Low Income Limit determined by HUD annually. The 2024/2025 (FY2024) HUD Income Limits are in the table below.

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2024/2025 (FY2024) Income Limits Summary - # of Persons in Household - Very Low (50%) Income Limits

       1                  2                   3                 4                   5                 6                   7                   8

$30,650      $35,000      $39,400      $43,750       $47,250     $50,750       $54,250      $57,750

·         Eligible Family Member:  At least one family member must be a U.S. Citizen or Eligible Immigrant.

·         Criminal History:  All family members age sixteen (16) and over will receive criminal history reviews.

·         Prior tenancy with Low-Income Housing and/or Housing Choice Voucher Programs will be checked for evictions, vacate without notice, bad debts, damages and other non-compliance issues that may have led to termination of rental subsidy.  IF YOU WERE EVICTED FROM PUBLIC HOUSING OR TERMINATED FROM THE HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM WITHIN THE LAST 5 YEARS, YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE AND WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE WAITING LIST IF YOU ARE CHOSEN.  If your eviction or termination has been longer than 5 years then you may still be eligible.

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Applicants who do not meet the basic eligibility requirements listed below at the time of selection from the waiting list will be removed from the waiting list.

9.  How do I change my address on the waiting list if I have moved?

Any time after Wednesday, July 17, 2024 @ 12:00 pm you can go to our website at www.chahousing.org and follow the link to log in to your CHA Applicant Portal  to make changes to your address and contact information.

Failure to provide a current address prior to selection from the waiting list will result in being removed from the waiting list due to nonresponse if you do not receive the mailings.  

10. When I am selected from the waiting list, when will I receive my voucher?

Being added to the waiting list does not mean that you will receive a voucher right away or that housing assistance is immediately available. As housing assistance becomes available, CHA will draw applicants from the waiting list on a periodic basis.

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Once your name is reached on the waiting list, the CHA will contact you via regular U. S. Postal mail and/or the email address used to apply inviting you to attend an eligibility interview.  During the application process, the CHA will conduct a criminal background check on all household members aged 16 years or older.  CHA will collect information on family income, assets, and family composition. The CHA will verify this information with other local agencies, your employer and bank, and will use the information to determine program eligibility and the amount of the housing assistance available.

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If the CHA determines that your family is eligible, you will be required to attend a Housing Choice Voucher Program briefing and will be issued a voucher at the completion of the briefing if all information/documentation has been obtained to determine and approve eligibility for the program.

11. Can I apply for the Housing Choice Voucher Program Waiting List if I was previously terminated from the program or if I’m on another waiting list?

Yes but only if you were terminated rom the program more than 5 years from the date of application. You will not be prohibited from submitting a pre-application; however, when you are selected from the waiting list, your application will be reviewed in accordance with CHA’s Administrative Plan, which will include a review of your previous participation in a housing assistance program and related rental history.

12. Is there a cost to submit a Housing Choice Voucher Program Waiting List pre-application?

No. There is NEVER a cost to submit a pre-application. CHA will never ask for your debit or credit card or any other form of payment to submit a pre- application for its services. Additionally, please do not provide personal information to anyone claiming he or she can guarantee a spot on the waiting list, improve your chances of selection for the waiting list, or ensure that you will any receive CHA benefits.

13. If I want to apply for the Housing Choice Voucher Program Waiting List, but I don’t have access to the Internet, can I still apply?

Yes. If you require assistance in completing a pre-application because of a disability, because you require language translation services or communication in another format, or for other reasons, you may visit our office located at 801 N Holtzclaw Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37404 from 9:01 am – 6:00 pm on Monday, July 15, 2024, for assistance in completing the online application.

14. Am I required to live in the City of Hamilton County to participate in CHA’s Housing Choice Voucher Program?

You do not have to live in Hamilton County to complete a pre-application for the CHA’s Housing Choice Voucher Program Waiting List. However, if you live in Hamilton County at the time you apply, you may relocate out of the county after your name is reached on the waiting list and at the time of voucher issuance.  If you did not reside in Hamilton County at the time you applied, you must reside in Hamilton County for the first year of your participation in CHA’s Housing Choice Voucher Program.

15.  How will I know if I have been “denied” a housing choice voucher?

If you are denied a voucher for any the reasons listed above, you will receive a letter in the mail notifying you that you have been denied.  You will be given fifteen days (15) from the date of the letter to submit a request for an informal hearing in writing.

16.  What happens if my name is selected from the waiting list and I did not receive my eligibility notice and missed my appointments?

You will be given two (2) opportunities to attend an eligibility briefing and/or the voucher briefing.  If you miss these appointments, your name will automatically be withdrawn from the waiting list and no other notification will be given once removed.  You may reapply when the waiting list reopens.

17.  May I appeal the decision to be removed from the waiting list if I missed my appointments?

Yes.  You may come into the office and complete a “request for appeal” form or you can print it online and turn it into the office.

18.  When will the Housing Choice Voucher Program/Section 8 Waiting List close?

Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at 8:59 AM EST – You may not apply after this date