Housing

Housing Choice Voucher

The Housing Choice Voucher Program is a rental assistance program for very low income persons. In 2016 our jurisdiction expanded to include Norfolk, Woodland Park, Battle Creek and Hadar. This program is not an emergency form of assistance.

STARTING DECEMBER 1, 2021: we are accepting applications from 8:00 am-4:00 pm Monday through Friday. Applications will be placed on our waiting list in the order they are received, and by preference status.  You need to bring birth certificates and original social security cards for all household members when dropping off your application.  We will only place applications on the waiting list when all documents for all household members are received. 

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER APPLICATION.

Housing agencies are able to access a National database which lists families that are ineligible nation-wide, due to debts owed or termination of assistance. 

From the beginning stages of the application process to notification of assistance availability, the wait is unknown, it varies and can change at any time. This time frame requires that the applicant provide all necessary documentation to process the application. Without all the required documentation from the applicant, this process can take longer. Families will be selected from the waiting list on a first-come, first served basis according to the date and time their complete application is received by the Norfolk Housing Agency and they have attended an interview regarding the application.  ADULT FAMILY MEMBERS WHO WORK AT LEAST 20 HOURS PER WEEK IN THE NORFOLK HOUSING AGENCY'S JURISDICTION, PERSONS WHO ARE 62 OR OLDER, OR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES WILL RECEIVE A PREFERENCE OVER ANY OTHER APPLICANT. 

When your name reaches the top of the waiting list, a letter will be sent to your mailing address scheduling an appointment time to complete an interview. All household members age 18 and over must attend this interview. Per NHA policy, we do not allow minors to attend in-person interviews, so please let us know if you need to reschedule to a time when childcare is available, or if a phone interview is preferred. At this interview, we will gather all the income and asset information, and identify any allowances a family may qualify for. After this interview, we must verify all the information provided to determine eligibility. A background criminal check, as well as a prior housing assistance verification are also completed. 

At such time as the Housing Agency can provide assistance, the applicant is required to attend a "briefing" and is provided a Housing Choice Voucher during this briefing. The voucher is not money, only a contract with the Housing Agency. This contract allows the applicant to look for housing which will:

  • Fit the price range determined to be acceptable for the family based on family size and income.
  • Include a landlord/owner who is willing to work with the Housing Agency and sign a contract to this effect.
  • Pass inspection.                  

When determining whether a family fits the income requirements, the Housing Agency uses figures provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These figures change annually, so a family found to be ineligible due to being over-income may choose to reapply in the future to determine eligibility. 

Locating housing is the responsibility of the applicant, but the Housing Agency will attempt to give information regarding known vacancies whenever possible. New landlords come into the program frequently. Lists of landlords in the area can be found at Norfolk Housing Agency, and are available upon request. At this time, our agency is not able to assist renters in manufactured homes (mobile homes or trailer homes). 

The Housing Agency works with up to 254 families and nearly 100 landlords participate in the Housing Choice Voucher Program. Funds used to subsidize a family's rent come from HUD and are administered by the Housing Agency. If you are a Housing Choice Voucher participant living outside of our service area, we are currently absorbing all voucher port-ins. Please contact your local housing agency if you are interested in porting your voucher to the Norfolk Housing Agency jurisdiction. 

For more information about the program, please contact our office at (402)844-2080. You can also email Christina or Mike To contact our Program Manager, contact Julie