Help for Families

Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)

The Housing Choice Voucher Program provides assistance to low income families with rent. Applicants are selected from the county waiting list for rental assistance according to the date of application. The program assists Applicants in securing decent, safe and affordable rental housing. The Participant selects a rental unit that meets their housing needs. The unit is inspected to determine that it meets Housing Quality Standards and costs. The tenant then signs a lease with the owner and the Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority (IHCDA) and enters into a contract for a 12 month lease.

Agencies Providing Services
The State of Indiana administers services to portions of 82 counties throughout Indiana. Local service to clients is provided by Community Action Agencies. Municipal and County Housing Authorities serve the balance of the state.

Northwest Indiana Community Action currently serves Lake (Not including East Chicago, Gary, or Hammond), Porter, Jasper, and Newton, LaPorte (not including Michigan City), Starke, and Pulaski Counties.

Eligibility and Requirements (2009)
Family units must have an income level at or below 50% of Indiana’s median income level. This amount of income is very low and varies between counties

Current county-by-county charts

How does an individual Apply?
To apply for the HCVP the County Waiting List must be open (accepting applications). All County waiting listing in our service areas are closed at this time.

When a county waiting list will open, a public notice appears in that county’s local newspaper on how to apply.

Once placed on the HCVP county waiting list the average wait for a housing voucher is up to 24 months.

Once an applicant is selected from the HCVP waiting list eligibility is determined based on household size, household income, and criminal history.

For more information call 2-1-1.