Housing Authority of the City of Longview

Section 8
Home Ownership Program

Longview Housing Authority (“LHA”) permits eligible participants in the Section 8 housing choice voucher program, the option of purchasing a home with their Section 8 assistance rather than renting.
Families may receive Section 8 Home Ownership assistance for up to 15 years on a 20 year or longer mortgage and 10 years for mortgages less than 20 years.

In addition to Section 8 Homeownership assistant, families may qualify for other funding opportunities that help with down-payment assistance, closing costs and lower interest rates.

Eligibility Requirements

Participation in the Section 8 Home-ownership Program is voluntary. Each participant must meet the following eligibility requirements;

1. Participate in the FSS Program
Homeowners are required to participate in LHA’s Family Self-Sufficiency (“FSS”) program or be former graduates of the program

2. First-time Homeowner
A "first-time homeowner" means that no member of the household has had an ownership interest in any residence during the three years preceding commencement of home ownership assistance. However, a single parent or displaced homemaker who, while married, owned a home with a spouse (or resided in a home owned by a spouse) is considered a “first-time homeowner”.

3. Employment History
The home owner (head of household) must be employed full-time (an average of 30 hours per week) and have been so continuously employed for one year prior to execution of the sales agreement.

4. Minimum Income Requirement
The family Income must be equal to or over the Federal minimum hourly wage multiplied by 2000 hours. ($10,300).

5. Section 8 Participant in Good Standing
Section 8 families must have participated in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program for one year and not owe money to LHA or any other housing authority.

6. Down Payment
At a minimum, the participant will be required to provide three percent of the home
purchase price as a down payment and at least one percent of the purchase price must come from the family’s personal resources, (i.e. savings, IDA account or FSS Escrow).


Program Advantages

When you become a participant in the Section 8 Homeownership Program, you can expect:

• Increased Buying Power to purchase a home.
• Continued participation in the FSS Program.
• Continue earning an escrow account (for FSS participants) that can be accessed for down payments, home repairs and improvements.
• Comprehensive homeownership counseling and assistance that helps you with budgeting, financing, and buying a home from start to finish.
• Referrals to pre-approved Lenders and Realtors.

For more information, please contact:
Rena Mattison
LHA Homeownership Coordinator
(360) 423-0140 ext. 27
rmattison@longviewha.org

Other Resources
Section 8 HOP Brochure
FSS Program Brochure
FSS Program Webpage Link