Housing Choice Vouchers
Affordable Housing Opportunities – Palatka Housing Authority provides Housing Choice Vouchers, Mainstream Vouchers, and VASH to help families, veterans, and individuals with disabilities access safe, quality housing in Putnam County.
The Palatka Housing Authority (PHA) administers 340 Housing Choice Vouchers in Putnam County.
What are Housing Choice Vouchers?
The housing choice voucher program is the federal government’s major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private rental market. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments.
Housing choice vouchers are administered locally by public housing agencies (PHAs). The PHAs receive federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer the voucher program.
Palatka Housing Authority also manages Mainstream Vouchers and VASH.
How PHAs Work
A family that is issued a housing voucher is responsible for finding a suitable housing unit of the family’s choice where the owner agrees to rent under the program. This unit may include the family’s present residence. Rental units must meet minimum standards of health and safety, as determined by the PHA.
A housing subsidy is paid to the landlord directly by PHA on behalf of the participating family. The family then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program.
Mainstream Vouchers and VASH.
Mainstream Vouchers
Mainstream vouchers assist non-elderly persons with disabilities. Aside from serving a special population, Mainstream vouchers are administered using the same rules as other housing choice vouchers. Funding and financial reporting for Mainstream vouchers are separate from the regular tenant-based voucher program.
Palatka Housing Authority manages 40 Mainstream Vouchers.
VASH
The Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program is a joint program between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The goal of the VASH program is to move homeless veterans and their families into supportive housing. The primary component of the program is VA Case Management services. It provides a link to medical care, mental health, and substance abuse services.
Palatka Housing Authority manages 22 VASH Vouchers.