KELSO HOUSING AUTHORITY

RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The Section 8 or Housing Choice Voucher program is a rental assistance program through HUD (Housing and Urban Developement).

w The Kelso Housing Authority's Voucher provides rental assistance at properties owned by Property Owners / Landlords in the Kelso community.

w A voucher allows the participant to select the rental unit and Property Owner / Landlord in the community that they desire.

w Upon the request of the Property Owner / Landlord and the participant an inspection of the property is performed according to Housing Quality Standards set by HUD (Housing and Urban Developement).

w When a property passes inspection a rental contract is submitted to a Housing Authority Program Coordinator who then calculates the participants rent using a HUD (Housing and Urban Developement) required formula.

Applicants for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Rental Assistance Program at the Kelso Housing Authority must have very low income and have specific housing circumstances called Federal Preference.

Applications for the waiting lists for rental assistance can be picked up from the lobby of the Kelso Housing Authority or can be downloaded and printed using this website.

Applications must be submitted to the Kelso Housing Authority.

Applications must include all required documents to be added to the waiting lists for rental assistance programs.

There is no limit on the length of time that a participant of the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program may use their voucher. As long as they remain eligible for the rental assistance program the Voucher is used to assist their rent.

Currently there is an approximate wait of 12 - 18 months for a Kelso Housing Authority Voucher.