Housing Choice Vouchers
Get on the Waitlist
Our waitlist is not currently open. Please check back later as this site is updated regularly.
OVERVIEW
The Housing Authority of Travis County’s (HATC) housing choice voucher program is a federally funded program created to help very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary rent.
Once approved, the participant is free to choose any housing within Travis County that meets our quality and safety requirements, so long as the owner/landlord agrees to rent under the program. This could be the family’s present residence, or a new residence.
A percentage of rent is paid to the landlord directly by HATC on behalf of the participating family. The family then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount covered by the program. Usually, this is 30% of their monthly adjusted income.
HATC uses a waiting list to award the funds to eligible individuals and families. Names are selected from the waiting list randomly, as vouchers become available.
HOW TO APPLY
There are multiple steps required to apply and obtain rental assistance through the Housing Choice Voucher program. Outlined here is the process of signing up for the program.
Pre-Application
Once our waitlist opens, you’ll have to submit a pre-application, with your contact information. Due to the number of applications we receive, we cannot offer vouchers to every applicant, so once a voucher is available, we’ll randomly choose an applicant from the list. Check if our waitlist is open here.
Review
If you’re selected, housing specialists will review your eligibility by
- assessing your total household’s income based on the current year’s income limits,
- reviewing your criminal background based on current HCV administrative plan standards, and
- determining whether you owe any debts to another housing authority.
If you were not selected (due to a lack of spaces), you’ll have to resubmit your pre-application once our waitlist opens again.
Orientation
Once your application has been reviewed and accepted, you’ll have to complete an orientation briefing, which all adult members are required to attend. This will provide you with more information about the program, and, you’ll be provided with a voucher/landlord packet, containing important information.
Selection
After your briefing is complete, you’re ready to select a housing location. This can either be your current property, or a new property. For affordable housing locations near you, check out affordablehousing.com
Once you’ve located suitable housing, a Housing Quality Standards Inspection will be conducted, and if it passes, you’ll sign a lease with the landlord.
Finalization
After all documents and processes are finalized, housing assistance begins. You’re now a tenant within the program and are responsible for paying 30% of your monthly adjusted income towards rent, and we cover the remainder.
Each year, housing assistance must be recertified. You can choose to remain and renew your current lease, or you may choose to receive a new voucher, and search for other suitable housing.
SPECIAL VOUCHER PROGRAMS
HUD- Veteran Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) is a collaborative program between HUD and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The program combines Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance for homeless Veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs. VA case managers may connect these Veterans with support services, such as health care, mental health treatment, and substance use counseling, to help them in their recovery process and ability to maintain housing in the community. Veterans must comply with a case management program through the VA in order to continue receiving assistance. The VASH program is administered in accordance with the regular HCV requirements.
The VASH program was established in 1992 and is a key component to reducing homelessness among veterans and their immediate families. The program utilizes a housing first approach. Housing first approach allows for rapid access to housing due to low barriers for acceptance into the program.
Housing Choice Vouchers are awarded by HUD based on community needs and Public Housing Authority (PHA) performance. The Housing Authority of Travis County (HATC) was awarded 15 VASH vouchers in 2016 and subsequently received 15 additional housing choice vouchers for utilization in 2020. VASH participants are selected by the local VA clinic through the Coordinated Assessment system and referred to HATC for final eligibility screening and enrollment.
If you are a veteran and are experiencing homelessness, contact your local VA clinic to inquire about permanent housing or complete a coordinated assessment by visiting either of the following locations.
Goodwill of Central Texas, 1015 Norwood Park Blvd Austin, Texas 78753
The Southwest Health and Wellness Clinic, 2901 Montopolis Drive Austin, Texas 78741
This program is ONLY for individuals and families who have a family member who
- Is non-elderly (between ages 18 and 61), AND
- Has a verifiable disability, AND
- Are transitioning out of institutional or other segregated settings, currently experiencing homelessness, previously experienced homelessness and currently a client in a permanent supportive housing or rapid rehousing project, or those at risk of experiencing homelessness.
Eligible applicants experiencing homelessness may also be added to the waitlist through a coordinated referral by the following partner agencies: Ending Community Homelessness Coalition and Integral Care. If you are currently homeless, please visit www.austinecho.org/ca for information about Coordinated Assessment.
