The Housing Choice Voucher, formerly known as a Section 8 voucher, is open to all applicants within a certain income range.

Vouchers are issued to clients to find rental units in Washoe County, and RHA will pay a portion of the client’s rent to the landlord. The client’s portion of rent/utilities is based on 30% of their adjusted monthly income (e.g., Monthly income is $1,000; rent/utilities will be about $333 per month).

Restrictions on criminal history:

• No violent/drug related criminal activity within the last 3 years. If the activity is over 3 years old, clients are subject to review by the Applicant Review Board (ARB).

Units must meet affordability test before clients can move in, and must be inspected before RHA will start paying a portion of the rent.

There are various waitlists for HCVs that open periodically throughout the year. The RHA home page will indicate when waitlists are open.

Public housing units are owned by RHA and the assistance is tied to the unit. If the resident moves out, the resident does not get rental assistance in another unit.

Anyone can apply if their income is under a certain limit. The client’s portion of rent/utilities is based on 30% of their adjusted monthly income (e.g., Monthly income is $1,000; rent/utilities will be about $333 per month).

Restrictions on criminal history:

• No violent/drug related criminal activity within the last 3 years. If the activity is over 3 years old, clients are subject to review by the Applicant Review Board (ARB).

Must have good rental history and have no outstanding balance owed to any utility provider.

Project Based Vouchers (PBVs) are similar to Housing Choice Vouchers in that they are issued to clients to find rental units in Washoe County. With PBVs, though, the assistance is tied to the unit. If a client moves out of a PBV unit, they cannot take the voucher with them to another rental unit. Once a client has lived in the PBV unit for two years, though, they may request a Housing Choice Voucher to move to another rental unit. Only a written request, not a full reapplication, is necessary for this type of move.

Anyone can apply, if under a certain income limit. Client’s portion of rent/utilities is based on 30% of their adjusted monthly income (e.g., Monthly income is $1,000; rent/utilities will be about $333 per month).

Restrictions on criminal history:

• No violent/drug related criminal activity within the last 3 years. If the activity is over 3 years old, clients are subject to review by the Applicant Review Board (ARB)

Units must meet affordability test before clients can move in, and must be inspected before RHA will start paying a portion of the rent.

RHA does not have any deposit assistance programs.