Housing Programs

Housing Voucher Program

The Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV)/Section 8 Rental Assistance Program provides rental subsidy to approximately 1163 eligible low-income families, seniors, persons with disabilities. The tenant may choose housing in the private market ranging from apartments, duplexes or single-family homes. Under the Housing Choice Voucher Program, the tenant is responsible for paying thirty (30%) percent of their gross monthly income towards rent.

The purpose of the program is to provide rental assistance to eligible families. The rules and regulations of the Housing Choice Voucher program (HCV) are determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth affords choices in the operation of its program to participants which are included in the Administrative Plan, a document that is approved by the Board of Commissioners of HACE.

The Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV) offers mobility to eligible families because they may search for suitable housing anywhere in HACE’s jurisdiction as well as be eligible to move under portability to another Public Housing Authority’s jurisdiction.

When a family is determined to be eligible for the program and funding is available, HACE, issues the family a voucher. When the family finds suitable housing, HACE will enter into a Contract with the Owner of the property while the family enters into a lease with the Owner. Each party makes their respective payment to the owner so that the owner receives the full amount of rent.

Even though the family is determined to be eligible for the program, the owner has the responsibility of approving the family as a suitable renter. The Housing Authority continues to make rental payments on behalf of family as long as the family is eligible and the housing unit continues to qualify by meeting all Housing Quality Standards.

Shelter Plus Care Program

The Shelter Plus Care program is authorized by Title IV, subtitle F, of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act. It is designed to link rental assistance to supportive services for hard-to-serve homeless persons with disabilities; (primarily those who are seriously mentally ill; have chronic problems with alcohol drugs or both, or have acquired immune-deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and related diseases and their families. The program provides grants to be used for rental assistance for permanent housing for homeless persons with disabilities. Rental Assistance grants must be matched in the aggregate by supportive services that are in equal value to the amount of rental assistance and appropriate to the needs of the population to be served primarily those who are considered chronically homeless. 

Families who are referred from Bridgeway House, and Homefirst will be offered rental assistance through the Shelter Plus Care Program. Families who are serviced through this program may have their information used for reporting purposes.

Currently the Housing Authority administers three separate SPC grants comprised of 65 units scattered throughout the City of Elizabeth.