Housing Choice Voucher
About the Housing Choice Voucher
The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program provides housing assistance for very low-income families, the elderly and the disabled, allowing them to live in safe, quality affordable housing in the private 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 or apartments in neighborhoods of their choice. Participants are free to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program and are not limited to units located in subsidized housing projects.
A family that is issued a voucher is responsible for finding a suitable unit where the owner agrees to rent under the HCV program. The suitable unit may even 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 CMHA 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.
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Waitlist Selections
Waitlist selections are currently in process. If selected, you will receive a notice via mail (and email if on file) with the next steps.
If you did not receive mail/email correspondence, do not call regarding your position or request to be placed on the waitlist.
You can apply above for the program as well as, check your position on the waitlist.
Housing Choice Voucher Applications and Intake Services
HCV applications and intake services are provided at our CGI building at 1407 Cleveland Ave., Columbus, OH 43211.
Visitors may park in the designated valet area in which you will need to get a validation sticker upon exiting our office.
How to Apply
Applicants must supply accurate income and family member information, and applications must list last names as they appear on social security cards. We will verify all information, including social security, wage data and criminal records. Applicants are responsible for updating personal information such as contact address, income and family composition. If there are any changes in the information provided at the time of your application, come to our central office and fill out a change of information form. Your application may be denied if you commit fraud or intentionally mislead us about your income or family composition.
Please note that all applicants must be at least 18 years old at the time the voucher is received. While applications will be accepted from all applicants, vouchers are limited and preferences are given to families and disabled individuals. Do not submit more than one application per individual or family.
Tenant Screening Policies
All Section 8 applicants are screened for drug, violent criminal and sexual offender convictions. Public information from Franklin County and the state of Ohio are accessed as part of application processing.
Owners are strongly encouraged to screen prospective tenants on their own behalf for criminal behavior and rental history by obtaining landlord references and other relevant personal information as CGI’s screening does not guarantee the suitability of an applicant for a prospective tenancy. Landlords may also request a current and previous address of a prospective HCV tenant (if available) from us by written request.
Assisted Housing Services Corporation (AHSC)
The Assisted Housing Services Corporation (AHSC) provides rental assistance to Ohio and Washington D.C. households and is administered by the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority and CGI. To find out more information about this program follow THIS LINK.