SECTION 8 OFFICE FYI:

The office is open by scheduled appointment only.  The Section 8 office is no longer serving public walk-ins without scheduled appointments.  This allows staff to review and process requests in advance and reduces public wait time.

To schedule an appointment with the office, please call: (315)792-0199.

The Section 8 office hours of operation are: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8:30am-4:30pm

The Section 8 office is closed to the public on Wednesdays for an internal Staff paperwork processing day. 

IMPORTANT VOUCHER HOLDER INFORMATION: All program participants were issued information packets to help better understand program policies and requirements.  Please review this packet in full.  Additionally, the packet provides available resources and supports to assist voucher holders.

WHAT IS THE SECTION 8 PROGRAM?
The housing choice voucher program is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses and apartments.

The participant is free to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program and is not limited to units located in subsidized housing projects.

Housing choice vouchers are administered locally by public housing agencies (PHAs) including the City of Utica Section 8 Program. The City of Utica Section 8 Program receive federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer the voucher program.

A family that is issued a housing voucher is responsible for finding a suitable housing unit of the family's choice where the owner agrees to rent under the program. This unit may include the family's present residence. Rental units must meet health and safety standards and payment standards as determined by the City of Utica Program. Families must adhere to all family obligations of the program to remain on the voucher program.

A housing subsidy is paid to the landlord directly by the City of Utica on behalf of the participating family. The family then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program. Under certain circumstances, if authorized by the City of Utica homeownership program, a family may use its voucher to purchase a modest home under the homeownership program.

AM I ELIGIBLE?
Eligibility for a housing voucher is determined by the City of Utica based on the total annual gross income and family size and is limited to US citizens and specified categories of non-citizens who have eligible immigration status. In general, the family's income may not exceed 50% of the median income for the county or metropolitan area in which the family chooses to live. By law, the City of Utica must provide 75 percent of its voucher to applicants whose incomes do not exceed 30 percent of the area median income. Median income levels are published by HUD and vary by location. The City of Utica can provide you with the income limits for your area and family size.

During the application process, the City of Utica will collect information on your current address, family income, assets, and family composition which must be reported accurately at time of application. The City of Utica will verify this information with other local agencies, your employer and bank, and will use the information to determine program eligibility and the amount of housing assistance you may be eligible to receive.

If the City of Utica determines that your family is eligible, your name will be put on a waiting list. The waiting list can be a timely process as many families have previously applied for the program. It is very important to update your address if it changes from the address you have on file in your application, or the Section 8 office may not be able to reach you when a voucher becomes available. Once your name is reached on the waiting list, the City of Utica will contact you directly and send you a tenant information packet to complete accurately and submit to the office with your most current information.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON OTHER SUBSIDY PROGRAMS OFFERED:
The City of Utica Section 8 Program has expanded above and beyond traditional Section 8 vouchers. The office also administers other subsidized programs including; Emergency Housing Vouchers, Project Based Vouchers, Family Self Sufficiency Program, Family Unification Program and a Homeownership Program. Please look at the links to the left of the website, or contact the office to learn more.

REASONABLE ACCOMODATION:
You may request a reasonable accommodation if you experience any difficulties with the Section 8 processes due to disability status.