Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), formerly known as Section 8
HCV Program
The Housing Choice Voucher Program provides tenant'based assistance when eligible low-income families receive a voucher from EPCHA. All families will attend a mandatory orientation that explains how EPCHA provides payment directly to participating property owners to offset the cost difference between tenant payments and unit rent.
Voucher program at EPCHA allows applicants to choose from a a variety of housing options ranging from apartments, duplexes, single-family homes to townhomes in the County of El Paso outside the city of El Paso. The following is a list of eligible communities to rent under EPCHA voucher program:
-Socorro;
-Horizon;
-Sparks
-San Elizario;
-Clint;
-Morning Glory
-Fabens;
-Tornillo;
-Butterfield
-Homestead Meadows North & South
-WestWay
-Canutillo
-Vinton
-Prado Verde
-Agua Dulce
In order to assist you with your housing decision, EPCHA will provide you a list of available units by property owners during your orientation.
Families with vouchers generally pay between 30 to 40 percent of their annual income for rent. Rent must be reasonable compared with similar unassisted units in the area, and the property must meet HUD's Section 8 Housing Quality Standards. All Section 8 programs rules and policies can be found in the Administrative Plan
Veteran affairs supportive housing Voucher Program (VASH)
HUD VASH Program
HUD-VASH is a collaborative program between HUD and VA combines HUD housing vouchers with VA supportive services to help Veterans who are homeless and their families find and sustain permanent housing.
Through public housing authorities, HUD provides rental assistance vouchers for privately owned housing to Veterans who are eligible for VA health care services and are experiencing homelessness. 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 with their ability to maintain housing in the community. Among VA homeless continuum of care programs, HUD-VASH enrolls the largest number and largest percentage of Veterans who have experienced long-term or repeated homelessness. At the end of FY 2018, there were 85,509 Veterans with active HUD-VASH vouchers and 78,234 Veterans in housing with a HUD-VASH voucher.
How do I qualify?
To determine eligibility, the veteran and their family must contact the El Paso VA Health Center by dialing:
915-564-6100 (main number)
or
915-494-7176
or
915-319-9136
Callers will speak to a HUD VASH representative for eligibility screening. Upon eligibility, the family will receive a referral and accompanied to the EPCHA for voucher interview.
Is case management required under the VASH program?
Yes, case management is required and provided by the El Paso VA Health Service Center. A case manager will be assigned to the veteran and family. Upon successful completion of the program, the VA case manager will issue a graduation notice to EPCHA that terminates the case management. The family will still continue to receive voucher benefits.
Mainstream Voucher program
Population Targeted
A household composed of one or more non-elderly persons with disabilities, which may include additional household members who are not non-elderly persons with disabilities. Non-elderly persons are defined as persons between ages 18 and 61.
Mainstream Housing Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities Vouchers enable non-elderly disabled families on the PHA’s waiting list to receive a voucher.
What families are eligible?
Only a family that includes a disabled person and is income eligible may receive a mainstream program voucher. Applicants will be selected from the EPCHA's housing choice voucher waiting list.
Income eligibility
The Housing Authority compares the family’s annual income (gross income) with the HUD-established very low-income limit or low income limit for the area. The family's gross income cannot exceed this limit.
Renting a unit under the Mainstream Voucher Program
Once a voucher is issued, it is the responsibility of a family to find a unit that meets their needs. If the family finds a unit that meets the housing quality standards, the rent is reasonable, and the unit meets other program requirements, the EPCHA executes a HAP contract with the property owner. This contract authorizes the EPCHA to make subsidy payments on behalf of the family.
How do I apply for Mainstream Voucher Program?
Families apply at EPCHA when the wait list opens and accepts new applications. When an eligible family with a disabled person comes to the top of the PHAs housing choice voucher waiting list, the PHA issues a housing choice voucher to the family.
Foster Youth Initiative (FYI) Voucher program
Population Targeted
The population eligible to be assisted with funding under the FYI program must be certified by a Public Child Welfare Agency as meeting the following conditions:
1. Has attained at least 18 years and not more than 24 years of age (Have not reached their 25th birthday);
2. Left foster care, or will leave foster care within 90 days, in accordance with a transition plan described in Section 475(5)(H) of the Social Security Act; and
3. Is homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless at age 16 or older.
EPCHA is partnered with the Texas Department of Family Protection Services that will verify the conditions listed above are met and will then issue a referral to our HCV department. In addition the Texas DFPS will provide the participant with required supportive services as determined during screening.
Renting a unit under the FYI Voucher Program
As required by statute, an FYI voucher issued may only be used to provide housing assistance for the youth for a maximum of 36 months. Once a voucher is issued, it is the responsibility of the participant to find a unit that meets their needs. If the family finds a unit that meets the housing quality standards, the rent is reasonable, and the unit meets other program requirements, the EPCHA executes a HAP contract with the property owner. This contract authorizes the EPCHA to make subsidy payments on behalf of the family.
Required Supportive Services
The Texas DFPS will provide the participating youth with the following:
A. Basic Life skills information/Counseling on money management, use of credit, housekeeping, proper nutrition/meal preparation; and access to health care (e.g., doctors, medication, and mental and behavioral health services).
B. Counseling on compliance with rental lease requirements and with HCV program participant requirements, including assistance/referrals for assistance on security deposits, utility hook-up fees, and utility deposits.
C. Providing such assurances to owners of rental property as are reasonable and necessary to assist eligible youth to rent a unit with a voucher.
D. Job preparation and attainment counseling (where to look/how to apply, dress, grooming, and relationships with supervisory personnel, etc.).
E. Educational and career advancement counseling regarding attainment of general equivalency diploma (GED); attendance/financing of education at a technical school, trade school or college; including successful work ethic and attitude models.
Do I need a referral to apply?
The EPCHA cannot determine eligibility without the referral by the Texas Department of Family Protection Services.
Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation (SRO)
Nature of Program
Nature of Program
Nature of Program
Nature of Program
Nature of Program
Under the SRO program, HUD enters into annual contributions contracts (ACCs) with public housing agencies (PHAs) in connection with the moderate rehabilitation of residential properties. These PHAs make Section 8 rental assistance payments to participating landlords on behalf of homeless individuals who rent the rehabilitated dwellings. The rental assistance payments generally cover the difference between a portion (usually 30 percent) of the tenant's adjusted income and the unit's rent, which must be within the fair market limit established by HUD.
HUD provides rental assistance for SRO units for a period of 10 years. Owners are compensated for the cost of rehabilitation (as well as the other costs of owning and maintaining the property) through the rental assistance payments. At the same time, each unit must need a minimum of $3,000 of eligible rehabilitation to qualify for the program
Eligibility
Nature of Program
Magoffin SRO,
EPCHA is partnered with the Opportunity Center for the Homeless in the City of El Paso, TX. All application inquiries may be done by dialing:
915-577-0069
Or
915-288-2485 (program coordinator)
click on "find out more"
Magoffin SRO,
Women's SRO,
Magoffin SRO,
1221 Magoffin Avenue
El Paso, Texas 79901
The Magoffin Avenue Single Room Occupancy residence provides permanent supportive housing for 20 elderly, sick, or disabled men and women who are homeless.
This shelter was created in response to a growing number of elderly homeless who had little hope of moving off the streets or out of shelter environment due to their fragile condition
All residents are between 55-90 years old, independent, and able to care for themselves. Those who are able to work participate in American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) job placement and training programs.
Others attend adult day care programs where their health can be monitored, while they participate in social activities, arts, crafts, exercise, and even field trips.
Women's SRO,
Women's SRO,
Women's SRO,
1318 Myrtle Avenue
El Paso, Texas 79901
These sister programs provide transitional and permanent housing for single women who are transitioning out of homelessness and working towards self-sufficiency. Homeless women who are working on a self-sufficiency plan are encouraged to move from the emergency shelter into the Women’s Transitional Living Center, or Women’s TLC. This facility supports up to 16 women as they attend classes, volunteer, work, and/or participate in a training program. Residents work together to keep the facility clean and take turns preparing meals. They are able to stay at the Women’s TLC for a maximum of 2 years.
To better assist residents as they pursue their goals, they are connected with all the services of the OC, provided with case management, and encouraged to participate in life skills training. Upon completing their time at the Women’s TLC, most women transition into their own apartments or are placed in our permanent housing facility, the Women’s SRO. This residence houses 12 women who are either working or going to school.