Qualified applicants receive a voucher that can be used to cover a portion of rent. Voucher holders are responsible for finding an acceptable unit whose owner agrees to rent under the program. Voucher holders pay 30 percent of their adjusted income toward an approved rent, and FWHS pays the difference. Adjusted income includes most sources of support, such as Social Security, VA benefits and child support.
FWHS determines a payment standard by ZIP code based on the fair market rent established by HUD for our area. The payment standard is used to calculate the amount of assistance a family will receive. By law, if a family moves to a new unit where the rent exceeds the payment standard, the family may not pay more than 40 percent of its adjusted month monthly income for rent.