Apply for the Housing Choice Voucher Program
Applicant Information
The Section 8 waiting list is closed. We are not accepting applications at this time and do not anticipate re-opening the waiting list until the current waiting list of 4,000 families has been assisted.
Questions regarding the waiting list may be addressed on Fridays only from 9:00am to 3:00pm.
Please be advised: The East Orange Housing Authority Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program will no longer port out (transfer) participants to other jurisdictions unless the receiving Public Housing Agency (PHA) is able to absorb the family.
The receiving PHA has the authority to decide whether it will absorb an incoming portable family. Please contact the receiving PHA to find out if they can absorb your voucher if transferred. If you have any further questions or require clarification please feel free to contact your current HCV technician.
Housing Choice Voucher Program
The East Orange Housing Authority welcomes and appreciates all owners that participate in the Section 8 Rental Assistance Program (Section 8 Program). The goal of this agency is to ensure participants are provided safe, decent, and sanitary housing and with the cooperation of our owners/managers, this is a goal that will ultimately be met and succeeded.
The Housing Authority, landlords, and clients combine the whole to form the Section 8 Department. One could not survive without the other. We all must work together to maintain an understanding and partnership.
The Section 8 Program was formed in 1974 and has evolved into the Housing Choice Voucher Program. Today it is a rental assistance program where the tenant is to pay at least 30% and no more than 40% of their income towards rental payments.
Clients are selected from a waiting list and then screened for eligibility. The eligibility criteria are determined by their income and a criminal background check. If they pass the eligibility criteria, they are then issued a Housing Choice Voucher based on their household composition, given a detailed briefing and are given a Request for Tenancy Approval.
The advantages of the program is a guaranteed monthly rental payment and a yearly inspection. If a client’s income is reduced, then the HAP payments will increase to cover the tenant’s portion. We also provide the service of listing your units.
PORTABILITY PROCESS
Portability is an option that eligible Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) holders may utilize in order to move throughout the United States. To assist with Portability transitions, the Housing Authority of the Cityof East Orange (EOHA) will cooperate with other Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) throughout the portability process.
Starting the “Porting In” process:
If you are a current voucher holder and you are interested in porting into the City of East Orange, you must request to exercise the Portability option from your current Housing Authority. If found eligible to port, your Housing Authority must submit to the following paperwork to EOHA:
Portability Required Documents
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Family Portability Information - Form HUD-52665
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Voucher - Form HUD-52646 (issue date must not be a future date)
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Family Report - Form HUD-50058 (Copy of the most recent)
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Copies of income verification listed on Family Report such as:
1) Earned Income Verification (EIV) Report (if available), and 2)Supporting Income verifications matching the Family Report. -
Family contact information, including a valid contact phone number and mailing address.
The documents listed above may be sent sealed or secured to EOHA via mail or email to Denise Simmons at 973 678-0250 or dsimmons@eoha.org
*Please allow approximately 10-15 calendar days for us to receive all required documents and follow-up with your initial housing authority.
Upon receipt of your portability paperwork your initial housing authority will receive a EOHA letter of acknowledgment.
NOTE: If your contact number and/or address changes after EOHA receives your paperwork you must submit your updated information in writing to EOHA.
The Portability Briefing
Once EOHA receives the appropriate documents from the initial Housing Authority, EOHA staff will contact the voucher holder by mail to schedule a briefing - entrance interview. All adult household members, age 18 or older, must attend. The EOHA voucher, Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) and processing documents will be issued during the intake/briefing appointment. This process lasts approximately 2 1/2 hours. You will be required to remain in the briefing for its entirety. All required attendees MUST be on time for the briefing. Be prepared to bring the following documents:
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Current valid photo identification
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Birth certificates for all household members 18 years of age and older
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INS documents for non-citizens
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Social Security cards for all household members
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Proof of household income and/or assets
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Proof of full-time student status for everyone 17 years of age and older
ALL ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED
Hours of Operation
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Monday: By appointment only
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Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: 8:30am-12pm and 1:00pm-4:00pm
For Interims, Walkins, Appointments, Moving Papers and Landlord Walkins
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Friday: By appointment only
Waiting list information is available upon request.
NOTE: We are CLOSED the last two days of each month.
Searching for a Home
Prior to searching for a home, voucher holders should review EOHA’s payment standards. EOHA’s occupancy standard is based on two persons per bedroom, regardless of age or sex. Knowing the payment and occupancy standard will help guide your selection process.
EOHA works in Landlords in the area to compile a list of apartments for rent to voucher holders. The EOHA does not assist with Security Deposits. Click here to search for available rental properties.
Important Notes
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You must have a minimum of 30 days remaining on your voucher to port to City of East Orange
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Before visiting or contacting EOHA, please allow our Portability Department to contact you via phone or mail.
Please keep in mind that you will be required to comply with EOHA's policies and procedures. EOHA’s policies will be reviewed in depth with you during your intake/briefing appointment.
“Porting out” of EOHA
If you are currently a voucher holder with EOHA and would like to move to another jurisdiction, please contact your assigned Case Manager to determine if you are eligible to “port out”. Your Case Manager will review your file and explain all of your tenant related requirements as it relates to porting out.
Once found eligible, your request to transfer your voucher to another housing authority must be submitted to EOHA in writing using the Request To Transfer form or your own letter which should include the your name, current address, a current phone number, an e-mail address and the Public Housing Authority (PHA) you wish to transfer to. Please be sure to research where you want to move, this will help ensure that you obtain the correct information regarding the PHA that is responsible for that jurisdiction.
NOTE: You will also be required to provide your current landlord with a Notice to Vacate your unit. EOHA will not process your port out request until we receive a copy of this notice. EOHA recommends given your landlord a minimum of 60 days notice of vacating the current unit.
PROJECT-BASED VOUCHER PROGRAM
The Project-Based Voucher Program is a program that assists individuals and families in designated apartment buildings.
What's the difference between a Project-Based Voucher and a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher?
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher is a tenant-based voucher. With a tenant-based voucher, you can take it anywhere as long as the home you wish to rent accepts Section 8 and meets the standards of the Section 8 program.
A Project-Based Voucher is attached to a particular unit at a specific property. If you live in a unit with a project-based voucher and you move, the Section 8 assistance stays with the property and the next tenant uses the voucher.