Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program
The Section 8 Rental Assistance Program helps eligible low-income families find decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing in the private rental market.
Quick Facts
- Income-based assistance
- Private rental housing
- Annual recertification
- Required unit inspections
Program Overview
The Amsterdam Housing Authority Section 8 Rental Assistance Program provides affordable housing opportunities to low-income families in private housing throughout the community.
The program is a partnership between Amsterdam Housing Authority, the participating family, and the landlord of the rental unit.
Program Requirements
- Income must be verified by a third party.
- Social Security cards and birth certificates are required.
- Participants must be recertified at least once per year.
- Security deposits and utility deposits are not paid by the program.
- Units are inspected initially and annually.
- Moving requires proper written notice.
Eligibility
Eligibility is based on total annual gross income and family size. Assistance is limited to U.S. citizens and specified categories of non-citizens with eligible immigration status.
During the application process, AHA collects information about income, assets, and family composition. This information is verified and used to determine eligibility.
Keep your mailing address updated. Waiting list update letters are mailed annually and must be returned to remain on the waiting list.
Income Limits
| Family Size | Income Limit |
|---|---|
| 1 Person | $33,450 |
| 2 People | $38,200 |
| 3 People | $43,000 |
| 4 People | $47,750 |
| 5 People | $51,600 |
| 6 People | $55,400 |
| 7 People | $59,250 |
| 8 People | $63,050 |
Current Participants
Participants are responsible for following program rules, reporting changes, and maintaining their unit.
Briefing Videos
Participant Portal
Use the tenant portal to access participant resources and program information.
Open Tenant PortalPayment Standards
| Bedroom Size | Payment Standard |
|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | $980 |
| 2 Bedroom | $1,150 |
| 3 Bedroom | $1,300 |
| 4 Bedroom | $1,406 |
Portability
Portability allows eligible Housing Choice Voucher participants to transfer their rental subsidy when moving outside the jurisdiction of the housing agency that first issued the voucher.
New families must live in the jurisdiction of the initial PHA for one year before they can port.
Download Portability Request FormSteps to Portability
- Notify AHA that you would like to port.
- AHA determines if you are eligible to move.
- A voucher is issued if needed.
- Paperwork is sent to the receiving PHA.
- You contact the receiving PHA.
- You search for an eligible unit.
Special Programs
Mainstream Program
Participants must be disabled and may be linked with services as needed.
VASH Program
Housing assistance with supportive services to help veterans.
Family Self-Sufficiency
Helps HUD-assisted families increase earned income and reduce dependency on assistance.
Mainstream vouchers assist non-elderly persons with disabilities. Aside from serving a special population, Mainstream vouchers are administered using the same rules as other housing choice vouchers. Funding and financial reporting for Mainstream vouchers is separate from the regular tenant-based voucher program. Please see PIH Notice 2020-01 for more information.
The 2017, 2018, and 2019 Appropriations Acts provided funded for new Mainstream vouchers. Since 2018, HUD has awarded over $500 million in funding to public housing agencies (PHAs) to support 50,000 new Mainstream vouchers.
The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program supports eligible households in setting and achieving personal and financial goals related to education, job training, employment, financial literacy, homeownership, and other supportive services.
As participants increase their earned income, a portion of the increased rent may be set aside in an interest-bearing escrow account. These funds are available to the family upon successful completion of the program, providing a valuable resource to support long-term financial stability.
Eligible families interested in participating in the program are encouraged to complete the FSS Interest Form available on the Resources page.
The Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) Program provides rental assistance to eligible veterans through a partnership between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This program combines housing assistance with supportive services to help veterans achieve and maintain stable, independent housing.
Participants receive rental assistance that can be used in privately owned housing units, while case management and supportive services are provided through the VA. These services may include assistance with healthcare access, employment, and overall housing stability.
Eligibility for the VASH Program is determined by the Department of Veterans Affairs and is generally limited to veterans who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness and who meet applicable income requirements. Veterans must be referred to the program through the VA and agree to participate in case management services as a condition of assistance.
The VASH Program is designed to support veterans in securing safe, affordable housing while also addressing individual needs to promote long-term success and independence within the community.