Linn-Benton Housing Authority -- Section 8 Vouchers FAQ

Am I eligible to apply?

You can find out if you are eligible to apply by looking at the income limits. Click on the following link to access the LBHA Library and then download the Income Limits Form in PDF format.

What are my Section 8 Responsibilities?

Your Section 8 responsibilites, also known as family obligations, can be found by clicking on this link to access the LBHA Library and then download the Family Obligations Form in PDF format.

What if my family or income changes?

Changes in household composition, income and criminal history must be reported in writing within 10 days.

You must get Housing Authority approval before adding someone to your household (this includes spouse).

For all changes, click on the following link to access the LBHA Library and then download the Change Form in PDF format.

If you wish to add a person or persons to your household, you would need to contact your Occupancy Specialist.

The individuals you wish to add to your household must fall under the definition of family. The Housing Authority defines family member as a parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, sister, brother, spouse or significant other of the head of household.

No more than one addition to the household per 12 month period will be approved with the exception of adoption and or birth of a child. The Housing Authority will not approve an addition to household if it has been determined that the sole purpose is to benefit the family financially by providing additional assistance.

The family must obtain approval of any additional family member before the new member occupies the unit except for additions by birth, adoption, or court awarded custody, in which case the family must inform the Housing Authority in writing within 10 consecutive days. Such additions will not result in a change of voucher size if the family size still conforms to the maximum occupancy guidelines for that unit. The voucher size will be reevaluated at your next annual recertification.

The Housing Authority will conduct determinations of eligibility for all additions to the household prior to giving approval. Some reasons for denial might be a recent criminal history, owing money for a previous claim, a history of alcohol or drug abuse which resulted in disruption of the peaceful enjoyment of the neighborhood at a previous address, or your landlord not approving the person you wish to add. If the addition to household is denied, the Housing Authority will send the participant an ineligibility letter stating the reason for denial.

Will my unit pass inspection?

The unit selected to be subsidized under the Section 8 HCV program must meet minimal Housing Quality Standards as well as additional standards set by the Linn-Benton Housing Authority Administrative Plan.

To see many of the basic requirements of HQS Standards download "A Good Place to Live" directly from the HUD website:

Click here to access the LBHA Library and then download the Housing Quality Standards Inspection Form in PDF format.

You should first communicate your concerns about your unit with your landlord (put repair requests in writing).

If your concerns have not been resolved, then you should contact the Linn-Benton Housing Authority HQS Inspector:

Colin for Linn County residents
at 541-918-7332 or e-mail at colin@l-bha.org

Erik for Benton County residents
at 541-918-7331 or e-mail at erik@l-bha.org

IF IT HAS BEEN LESS THAN 1 YEAR SINCE YOU MOVED, YOU MAY NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO MOVE AT THIS TIME.

DO NOT MOVE UNTIL YOU HAVE MET WITH YOUR OCCUPANCY SPECIALIST AND HAVE BEEN APPROVED TO MOVE.

The Housing Authority's FIRST Obligation is to your current Landlord. If, after reading all of the above warnings, you feel that you might be eligible to move, contact your Occupancy Specialist who will verify your eligibility to move and provide you with the paperwork.

When you turn in the completed Family Information Report and your Occupancy Specialist has verified all information you may contact your Occupancy Specialist to schedule an appointment.
Give a proper, written 30 day notice or Mutual Termination. Keep a copy for yourself and a copy for the HA.
A Housing Choice Voucher and a blue “Request for Approval of Tenancy” (RFAT) packet will be issued. You or the new landlord will return RFAT to the HA WITH PROPOSED RENTAL AGREEMENT.
The new unit MUST pass the HOUSING QUALITY STANDARDS (HQS) inspection before assistance can begin. The inspection is scheduled when previous tenant has moved out, and we have received the blue RFAT.
The Housing Assistance Payment Contract (including the Tenancy Addendum) is completed by the Housing Authority; you take it to the new landlord to sign and return completed packet (including signed rental agreement if not previously provided) to the HA.
Assistance for the new unit begins when all paper work is completed and returned, and the HA's and your obligation to your current (previous) landlord is satisfied.

CLICK ON THIS LINK TO ACCESS THE LBHA LIBRARY AND THEN DOWNLOAD THE FAMILY OBLIGATIONS FORM YOU WILL NEED TO SIGN AND SUBMIT TO LBHA

What if I don't want housing assistance anymore?

You can discontinue your housing assistance by filling out the "Voluntary End of Participation" form and submitting it to the Housing Authority office. Click on the following link to access the LBHA Library and then download the Voluntary End of Participation Form in PDF format.