Eligibility – Applicant &
Section 8 Program Participant
Eligibility for Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program applicants and participants is based on the total gross income of the family and family size in comparison with the median income for the area. Eligibility is limited to U.S. Citizens and certain categories of eligible non-citizens. Those with certain criminal histories may not be eligible.
Section 8 Payment Standards
Effective November 1, 2023
Monthly Cost Per Number of Bedrooms
| County | 0 BR | 1 BR | 2 BR | 3 BR | 4 BR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Randolph County | $663 | $709 | $932 | $1197 | $1362 |
| Barbour County | $746 | $830 | $932 | $1256 | $1463 |
| Tucker County | $746 | $830 | $932 | $1314 | $1582 |
| Lewis County | $746 | $830 | $932 | $1290 | $1294 |
| Pendleton County | $746 | $753 | $932 | $1314 | $1452 |
| Upshur County | $773 | $778 | $1016 | $1271 | $1543 |
FAQs
Q.: When can I apply?
A.: When our waiting list is open.
When our waiting list is not open, you must check for announcements of the list reopening in local newspapers, on Facebook and on our website.
Please see our main Section 8 page to find out if our waiting list is open or closed.
How to Apply for Section 8
Q.: How do I apply for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Rental Assistance Program? (This only applies to when the waiting list is open.)
A.: WAITING LIST – When you initially apply for the Housing Choice Voucher Program at RCHA, your name is placed on a waiting list. As funding becomes available, we will bring people off the list and begin the process of issuing them a voucher. Please note that once the waiting list gets to a certain size, we will stop taking applications, so it is very important to apply at your earliest convenience.
INTERVIEW – When your name is taken off the list, we will ask you to come to our office for an interview. We must gather the information necessary to assist you under the rules of the program. This information includes birth certificates, social security cards, and proof of income for each household member. We also ask you to complete some paperwork including releases necessary to verify income, employment, and criminal history status.
BACKGROUND CHECK – After we have the documentation needed, we run an initial background check on all adult household members. If this background check shows any type of criminal history, we may ask that you provide documentation regarding your criminal history. We are unable to serve applicants with certain criminal histories.
BRIEFING CLASS – After the criminal background check is complete, we then make an appointment for you to come to a 1-2 hour class called a briefing. During this class, a member of the Section 8 staff provides an overview of program rules, explaining the process of finding an acceptable unit and answering any questions you may have.
Q.: I have my voucher. Now what?
A.: After the briefing class, you are ready to find a unit! You may already be in a rental unit for which you can use your voucher. You may be seeking a new place to live. Either way, an Occupancy Specialist will be able to answer any questions you may have concerning housing quality standards and affordability. She can also provide you with a list of landlords in the area.
After you find a unit you are interested in, have checked with an Occupancy Specialist to determine that the unit is affordable for you under program guidelines, and have confirmed that the landlord is willing to rent under the program, you and the landlord will complete a Request for Tenancy Approval. This will detail the unit address, rent, and utility information, and provide the RCHA contact information for both of you.
Once we receive the Request for Tenancy Approval, our Inspector will schedule an inspection of the unit. The inspector ensures the unit is decent, safe and sanitary within HUD guidelines. If the unit requires any repairs or changes, the Inspector would notify both the tenant and the landlord of such repairs and schedule a re-inspection.
Once the unit passes inspection, we will schedule your assistance to begin!
Q.: Where can I get more information?
A.: The Section 8 Department Staff at RCHA looks forward to helping individuals and families throughout our six-county service area. If you have any questions, please contact our team. We strive to provide our program participants with the most efficient and effective service possible. Please contact your occupancy specialist for general housing and program-related questions. Issues regarding inspections should be directed to our Housing Inspector.
Lisa Shaffer, Manager, 304-636-6495 ext. 120
Angie White, Occupancy Specialist, 304-636-6495 ext. 121
Heather Kittle, Occupancy Specialist, 304-636-6495 ext. 122
Laura Chenoweth, Housing Inspector, 304-636-6495 ext. 114
Lobby Hours
Our lobby is closed every Friday. We will continue to be open Monday through Thursday between 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. We are closed from 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. for lunch.
On Fridays, we do not have a receptionist but all other staff will be working. Therefore, if you need to speak with someone, you will need to dial that person’s extension directly.
We will continue to have a drop box outside the front door if you need to drop off paperwork. Any paperwork received on Thursday after 3:00 p.m. will be processed on the next business day. (Monday)
We apologize for any inconveniences this may cause.
Use Caution When Giving 30-day Notice to Move:
Participants who choose to move must find a unit where the Housing Authority’s portion is the same as or less than the Housing Authority’s portion at the current unit. This also applies to any owner issued evictions. For portability, we can only port tenants to other jurisdictions that are absorbing or their payment standards are equal to or less than those of the Randolph County Housing Authority. If you are thinking about giving your 30-day notice, be sure to call the office and speak with Heather or Angie. They can do a unit affordability worksheet to determine the new Housing Authority portion.