Housing Quality Standards for Section 8 Certificate Program and Housing Voucher Program, Schemes and Mind Maps of Real Estate Management

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U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Public and Indian Housing

A Good Place

to Live!

Introduction

Having a good place to live is important. Through your Public Housing Agency (or PHA) the Section 8 Certificate Program and the Housing Voucher Program help you to rent a good place. You are free to choose any house or apartment you like, as long as it meets certain requirements for quality. Under the Section 8 Certificate Program, the housing cannot cost more than the Fair Market Rent. However, under the Housing Voucher Program, a family may choose to rent an expensive house or apartment and pay the extra amount. Your PHA will give you other information about both programs and the way your part of the rent is determined.

Housing Quality Standards

Housing quality standards help to insure that your home will be safe, healthy, and comfortable. In the Section 8 Certificate Program and the Housing Voucher Program there are two kinds of housing quality standards. Things that a home must have in order approved by the PHA, and Additional things that you should think about for the special needs of your own family. These are items that you can decide.

The Section 8 Certificate Program and Housing Voucher Program

The Section 8 Certificate Program and Housing Voucher Program allow you to choose a house or apartment that you like. It may be where you are living now or somewhere else. The must have standards are very basic items that every apartment must have. But a home that has all of the must have standards may still not have everything you need or would like. With the help of Section 8 Certificate Program or Housing Voucher Program, you should be able to afford a good home, so you should think about what you would like your home to have. You may want a big kitchen or a lot of windows or a first floor apartment. Worn wallpaper or paint may bother you. Think of these things as you are looking for a home. Please take the time to read A Good Place to Live. If you would like to stay in your present home, use this booklet to see if your home meets the housing quality standards. If you want to move, use it each time you go to look for a new house or apartment, and good luck in finding your good place to live. Read each section carefully. After you find a place to live, you can start the Request for Lease Approval process. You may find a place you like that has some problems with it. Check with your PHA about what to do, since it may be possible to correct the problems.

The Requirements

Every house or apartment must have at least a living room, kitchen, and bathroom. A one-room efficiency apartment with a kitchen area is all right. However, there must be a separate bathroom for the private use of your family. Generally there must be one living/sleeping room for every two family members.

Paint

• No peeling or chipping paint if you have children under the age of seven and the house or apartment was built before 1978.

You should also think about:

• The types of locks on windows and doors -- Are they safe and secure? -- Have windows that you might like to open been nailed shut?
• The condition of the windows. -- Are there small cracks in the panes?
• The amount of weatherization around doors and windows. -- Are there storm windows? -- Is there weather stripping? If you pay your own utilities, this may be important.
• The location of electric outlets and light fixtures.
• The condition of the paint and wallpaper -- Are they worn, faded, or dirty?
• The condition of the floor. -- Is it scratched and worn?

Walls Walls that are in good condition.

• Not acceptable are large cracks or holes that allow drafts, severe bulging or leaning, large amounts of loose or falling surface material such as plaster.

Serving Area Some space to serve food.

• A separate dining room or dining area in the living room is all right.

Refrigerator A refrigerator that keeps temperatures low enough so that food does not spoil. (This can be supplied by the tenant.)

Sink A sink with hot and cold running water.

• A bathroom sink will not satisfy this requirement.

You should also think about:

• The size of the kitchen.
• The amount, location, and condition of space to store, prepare, and serve food. Is it adequate for the size of your family?
• The size, condition, and location of the refrigerator. Is it adequate for the size of your family?
• The size, condition, and location of your sink.
• Other appliances you would like provided.
• Extra outlets.

Electricity At least one permanent overhead or wall light fixture.

• Not acceptable are broken or frayed wiring, light fixtures hanging from wires with no other firm support (such as a chain), missing cover plates on switches or outlets, badly cracked outlets.

Sink A sink with hot and cold running water.

• A kitchen sink will not satisfy this requirement.

You should also think about:

• The size of the bathroom and the amount of privacy.
• The appearances of the toilet, sink, and shower or tub.
• The appearance of the grout and seal along the floor and where the tub meets the wall.
• The appearance of the floor and walls.
• The size of the hot water heater.
• A cabinet with a mirror.

Window At least one window, which must be openable if it was designed to be opened, in every rooms used for sleeping. Every window must be in good condition.

• Not acceptable are windows with badly cracked, broken or missing panes, and windows that do not shut or, when shut, do not keep out the weather.

Other rooms that are not lived in may be: a utility room for washer and dryer, basement or porch. These must be checked for security and electrical hazards and other possible dangers (such as walls or ceilings in danger of falling), since these items are important for the safety of your entire apartment. You should also look for other possible dangers such as large holes in the walls, floors, or ceilings, and unsafe stairways. Make sure to look for these things in all other rooms not lived in.

You should also think about:

• What you would like to do with the other rooms. -- Can you use them the way you want to?
• The type of locks on windows and doors. -- Are they safe and secure? -- Have windows that you might like to open been nailed shut?
• The condition of the windows. -- Are there small cracks in the panes?
• The amount of weatherization windows. -- Are there storm windows? -- Is there weather-stripping? If you pay your own utilities, this may be important.
• The location of electric outlets and light fixtures.
• The condition of the paint and wallpaper -- Are they worn, faded, or dirty?
• The condition of the floors. -- Are they scratched and worn?

Cooling Some windows that open, or some working ventilation or cooling equipment that can provide air circulation during warm months.

Plumbing Pipes that are in good condition, with no leaks and no serious rust that causes the water to be discolored.

Water Heater A water heater located, equipped, and installed in a safe manner. Ask the manager.

Heat Enough heating equipment so that the unit can be made comfortably warm during cold months.

• Not acceptable are space heaters (or room heaters) that burn oil or gas and are not vented to a chimney. Space heaters that are vented may be acceptable if they can provide enough heat.

You should also think about:

• How well maintained the apartment is.
• The type of heating equipment. --Will it be able to supply enough heat for you in the winter, to all rooms used for living?
• The amount and type of weatherization and its affect on utility costs. -- Is there insulation? -- Are there storm windows? -- Is there weather-stripping around the windows and doors?
• Air circulation or type of cooling equipment (if any). -- Will the unit be cool enough for you in the summer?

Pollution No serious air pollution, such as exhaust fumes or sewer gas.

Rodents and Vermin No sign of rats or large numbers of mice or vermin (like roaches).

For Manufactured Homes: Tie Downs Manufactured homes must be place on the site in a stable manner and be free from hazards such as sliding or wind damage.

You should also think about:

• The type of fire exit. --Is it suitable for your family?
• How safe the house or apartment is for your family.
• The presence of screens and storm windows.
• Services in the neighborhood. --Are there stores nearby? --Are there schools nearby? --Are there hospitals nearby? --Is there transportation nearby?
• Are there job opportunities nearby?
• Will the cost of tenant-paid utilizes be affordable and is the unit energy-efficient?
• Be sure to read the lead-based paint brochure give to you by the PHA or owner, especially if the housing or apartment is older (built before 1978).