Answer:
The Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) is a federal program that provides rental assistance for low-income households to afford good, safe housing in the private market. Participants of the program choose their own home and YMHA pays rent subsidy directly to the owner. Participants in the HCVP pay approximately 30% of their income towards the rent and YMHA pays the balance.
Answer:

YMHA will post announcements on its website and the local newspaper when the Waiting List opens. Applications are submitted online and applicants are placed on the Waiting List via a random, computer drawing. The HCVP Waiting List is currently closed and last opened June 1, 2021 – June 7, 2021.

Answer:

YMHA accepts applications for the voucher program only when the Waiting List opens. These are submitted online during the time the Waiting List is open. At the conclusion of the time period during which applications are accepted, a random computer draw will take place from among all the entries. The applications selected in this random computer draw will be placed on the Waiting List in the order in which they are drawn.

Answer:

No. When a family reaches the top of the Waiting List, an application appointment will be scheduled to determine if the family meets the program requirements.  If a family is eligible, a voucher will be issued to search for housing.

Answer:

It is impossible to estimate how long an applicant may wait before reaching the top of the Waiting List. Once an application appointment is scheduled though, it should not take longer than 30 days to determine eligibility.

Answer:

Applicants must provide original birth certificates and social security cards, declare citizenship as well as providing income, asset and expense information at the application appointment. An applicant’s income must not exceed current income limits published by HUD.  Applicant history will also be reviewed to determine if a debt is owed to another Public Housing Agency and/or if the client left a previous Housing Program in good standing. A criminal background check will also be conducted.

Answer:

The HCVP will conduct a criminal background check for household members 18 years old or older, checking for any serious violent criminal and/or illegal drug activity. The program reviews information for three (3) years prior during the eligibility process.  In addition, admission to the HCVP is prohibited if any household member has ever been convicted of drug-related criminal activity for manufacture or production of methamphetamines.  Registered sex offenders will also be prohibited from participation in the program.

Answer:
Yes. A single person is considered a family.
Answer:

Yes. You can be employed and still qualify if you are under the income limits for the program.

Answer:
Yes. However, previous participation in the program will be reviewed and included as part of the eligibility determination.
Answer:

The Waiting List is currently closed. We are unable to estimate when applications will be accepted again.