Housing Assistance Programs

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LHA manages several types of programs that help a family pay their rent.  Families are selected from waiting lists that LHA maintains.  LHA serves an average of 1300 families through programs including:  Certificate and Voucher rent assistance, Project-Based Assistance, Moderate Rehabilitation, HOME TBRA (Tenant Based Rent Assistance), and US Dept. of Agriculture housing in Woodland. Since 1994, at the request of the local jurisdictions, LHA has also been responsible for administering the rent assistance programs in Lewis, Wahkiakum and Pacific Counties

When LHA staff arrive at an applicant's name on a particular waiting list, the family is offered that rent assistance program.  In tenant based assistance programs, the dwellings are approved by a staff inspector.  Upon approval of the dwelling, the Housing Authority prepares lease-up documents for the tenant family and landlord to sign.   The Housing Authority pays a portion of the rent based on a formula using family income, and the family pays the balance.  The family portion will be at least 30% of their adjusted family income for rent and primary utilities, and may be more, depending on the overall cost of the unit.  If you are interested in applying, please click on this link.   If you have more questions about the rent assistance programs, please click on this link for frequently asked questions.

Family Self Sufficiency

Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) is a five year program created for Housing Authority clients to support their effort toward freedom from public assistance.  One important aspect is a powerful financial incentive called an escrow account.  As the family's income and rent increases, the Housing Authority puts the surplus rent subsidy into an account awarded to the client at the end of their contract.  A new Federal Home Loan Bank program will be available to match these saving efforts by participating families.

At the beginning, 42% of FSS clients were inactive while receiving assistance.   Now, every family is employed, in training or attending counseling.  This program is one in which we are especially pleased.  If you are interested in the FSS program, click here.

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