SECTION 8 PROGRAM OVERVIEW (continued)

Tenant Responsibilities (continued)

13. Supply any information or certification requested by the Housing Authority to verify that the family is living in the unit, or relating to family absence from the unit, including any Housing Authority-requested information or certification on the purposes of family absences. The family must cooperate with the Housing Authority for this purpose. The family must promptly notify the Housing Authority of any absence from the unit.

HAKC Responsibilities

1. Determine the amount of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) for a family.

2. Determine the maximum rent to the owner, and whether the rent is reasonable.

3. Make timely rent payments to an owner in accordance with the HAP contract.

4. Examine family income and size at admission and during the family's participation in the program. The examination includes verification of income and other family information.

5. Establish and adjust Utility Allowance Payments (UAP).

6. Administer and enforce the HAP contract with an owner, including taking appropriate action, as determined by the Housing Authority, if the owner defaults (e.g., Housing Quality Standards (HQS) violation).

7. Determine whether to terminate assistance to a participant family for violation of family obligations.

8. Conduct informal reviews and hearings of certain Housing Authority decisions concerning applicants for participation in the program.

9. Provide sound financial management of the program, including engaging an independent public accountant to conduct audits.

10. Administer a Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS).

How Tenants are Qualified for Section 8

The HAKC accepts applications for Section 8 voucher assistance every Thursday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at the Clymer Community Center, 1301 Vine, in Kansas City, Missouri. Family eligibility is based on income and family composition. Many times families look for a place to live before they have been approved by Section 8. If a landlord is approached by an applicant who has not yet applied for assistance through Section 8, please refer them to the Housing Authority, (816) 968-4100.

After application, families are placed on the Section 8 waiting list by the date and time of their application. As voucher assistance becomes available, families are selected in chronological order.

HAKC staff completes a thorough review of the applicant's original application and:

1. Obtains a criminal background check for all members of the household eighteen (18) years and older,
2. Obtains current income information for all members of the household eighteen (18) years and older, and
3. Determines family composition.
4. Reviews the HAKC 'Do Not Admit,' 'Trespassing' and 'Debt Lists.'

If the family is determined income- and family composition-eligible and passes the criminal background check, they are invited to participate in a two (2) hour Section 8 Program Briefing Session to receive their voucher. A family will not receive voucher assistance until they have participated in the Briefing Session.

Attention Apartment Owners, Managers and all Section 8 Residents:

Do you have a concern or general complaint that needs to be addressed? Would you like some assistance in helping you solve a problem or voicing a criticism regarding service in the Section 8 Department? Do you ever feel like no one is listening to you or you just can't get the answer to your questions?

If your answer is yes to any or all of the above questions, the Housing Authority would encourage you contact our Ombudsman (complaint) Line at (816) 968-4160. The Housing Authority announces the re-establishment of this direct line for the purposes of ensuring that a direct response will be made to your call. This line will be monitored constantly and all calls will be logged and processed with the goal of producing an efficient and fair response. When calling the line, please be sure to leave your full name, phone number, and your concern / issue. Please remember, the Ombudsman Line has been established to address your concerns only and if you have specific questions regarding operational procedures or your wait list status, please call the HAKC's main phone line at (816) 968-4100.

If you have trouble with the line or have further questions about this process please call the Ombudsman Line administrator, at (816) 968-4160, or e-mail at ombudsman@hakc.org.