Housing Choice Voucher Administrative Plan

Housing Choice Voucher Program

The Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV), formerly known as Section 8, provides assistance for very low-income households (single or family), seniors and the disabled to afford decent, safe and sanitary housing in the private market.

Participants who receive vouchers search for their own housing, which may include single-family homes, townhouses and apartments – or even the family’s present residence. HCV assistance is portable anywhere in the United States.

Provided that the selected housing meets the requirements of the program, the housing subsidy is paid to the landlord directly by HOC on behalf of the family.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Section 8 Regulations require that HOC maintains a current administrative plan for the implementation of the HCV program, as well as all other relevant federal, state and local fair housing laws and regulations. HOC’s HCV Administrative Plan is found below:

• Cover Page
• Table of Contents
• Chapter 1 – Statement of Policies & Objectives
• Chapter 2 – Eligibility for Admission
• Chapter 3 – Applying for Admission
• Chapter 4 – Establishing Preferences & Maintaining Waiting List (updated December 2024)
• Chapter 5 – Subsidy Standards
• Chapter 6 – Factors Related to TTP & Family Share Determination
• Chapter 7 – Verification Procedures
• Chapter 8 – Voucher Issuance & Briefings
• Chapter 9 – Request for Lease Approval & Contract Execution
• Chapter 10 – Housing Quality Standards & Inspections
• Chapter 11 – Owner Rents, Rent Reasonableness & Payment Standards
• Chapter 12 – Recertifications
• Chapter 13 – Moves with Continued Assistance/Portability
• Chapter 14 – Contract Terminations
• Chapter 15 – Denial or Termination of Assistance
• Chapter 16 – Owner Disapproval & Restriction
• Chapter 17 – Claims, Move-out and Close-out Inspections (for HAP Contracts Effective Before 10/02/1995)
• Chapter 18 – Owner of Family Debts to the PHA
• Chapter 19 – Complaints & Appeals
• Chapter 20 – Special Housing Types
• Chapter 21 – HCV Homeownership Option
• Chapter 22 – Housing Choice Voucher Project Base Program
• Glossary

Notice of Publication: Proposed Revisions to the HCV Administrative Plan

The Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County (HOC) has developed proposed revisions and new additions to its Housing Choice Voucher Administrative Plan, specifically Chapters 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 15, and 22.

These proposed changes to the HOC Administrative Plan are available for public review and comment on HOC’s website, www.hocmc.org. Materials are also available upon request at HOC’s administrative offices: Main Office: 10400 Detrick Avenue, Kensington, MD 20895; East Deer Park Office: 231 East Deer Park Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20877; Silver Spring Service Center: 880 Bonifant Street, Silver Spring, MD 20910; Derwood Service Center: 16105 Columbus Avenue Suite 200, Derwood, MD 20855.

Proposed revisions to the HOC Housing Choice Voucher Administrative Plan:

• Chapter 2 – Eligibility for Admission
• Chapter 3 – Applying for Admission
• Chapter 5 – Subsidy Standards
• Chapter 6 – Factors Related to TTP & Family Share Determination
• Chapter 7 – Verification Procedures
• Chapter 10 – Housing Quality Standards & Inspections
• Chapter 12 – Recertifications
• Chapter 15 – Denial or Termination of Assistance
• Chapter 22 – Housing Choice Voucher Project Base Program

HOC will hold a public hearing for approval of the proposed changes at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 22, 2025. The public may observe the hearing in person at the Main Office or virtually via You Tube live-stream (see below) with closed captioning and/or teleconference. There will be an opportunity to provide oral comments on the day of the public hearing in person or virtually. Questions regarding observation or participation in the public hearing can be directed Imani Benjamin-Johnson, Executive Assistant to the President, at 240-627-9549, Maryland Relay Number 711 (TTY), or imani.benjamin-johnson@hocmc.org.

The public comment period for these documents begins on Friday, March 21, 2025 and ends on Monday, April 21, 2025. All written public comments may be directed by mail to Chelsea Andrews, Executive Director, at 10400 Detrick Avenue, Kensington, Maryland 20895, or e-mailed to plancomments@hocmc.org. To be considered, all written comments must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 21, 2025.

If you require any aids or services to fully participate in this meeting, please call 240-627-9421, Maryland Relay Number 711 (TTY), or commissioners@hocmc.org.

View on YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/9QoXZ25Njxg?feature=share