Housing Choice Voucher

The rules and regulations for the Housing Choice Voucher Program are determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Housing Authority of the City of Winston-Salem creates policies and procedures for implementing the regulations.

The success of the program depends on the Housing Authority being able to contract with property managers, owners and landlords who have decent, safe and sanitary rental units. The program is designed to be voluntary by property owners. Many low income families in the community rely on property owners to make their units available in order for them to participate in the Housing Choice Voucher Program. Without owners, the program could not succeed.

The subsidy that comes with the Housing Choice Voucher Program helps families to rent in many different neighborhoods. Families may include elderly persons, disabled persons, singles, and families with children-all who do not earn enough to keep pace with rising rental housing costs. It is the goal of the Housing Authority of the City of Winston-Salem to provide excellent service to the families and owners participating in the Housing Choice Voucher Program. We will make every effort to inform both participants and owners of changing program rules and the effect they have on participation in the program.

The Housing Authority of the City of Winston-Salem currently subsidizes approximately 4600 families with Housing Choice Vouchers. Just as the name implies, families have the "choice" in the selection of their unit in the private market. Single family dwellings, condominiums, apartments, duplexes, and mobile homes that meet rent and inspection guidelines may be eligible.

Families will pay approximately 40 percent of their monthly adjusted income toward rent and utilities and once the unit has been determined rent-reasonable, the Housing Authority will pay the difference. The family's portion of the rent is paid directly to the owner and the Housing Authority deposits their payment into a bank account designated by the owner. Direct deposit of owner's payments is mandatory.

Due to the number of applicants currently on the Section 8 waiting list, the waiting list for the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV) is currently closed. Should we receive additional funding or exhaust the number of families currently on the waiting list, the waiting list will reopen. 

If you should have questions regarding the Housing Choice Voucher Program or how to participate as an owner in the program, please contact the HCV Management Team , at (336) 917-6086.

In the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program, payment standards are used in the calculation of Housing Assistance Payments (HAPs) that the PHA pays to the owner on behalf of the family leasing the unit. 

Payment standards are the maximum monthly assistance that the PHA will pay on behalf of the family. 

The payment standard for a family is the lower of: 

· Payment standard for the family’s unit size indicated on the voucher; or 

· Payment standard for the size of the unit leased by the family

Additional factors that influence the Housing Assistance Payment to the owner include the family's size and income, utilities the family is responsible for, and the cost of comparable units in the area. 

The Housing Authority of Winston-Salem has been designated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as a SAFMR PHA and, in accordance with 24 CFR 982.503, is required to implement SAFMR-based payment standards no later than January 1, 2025. SAFMRs are FMRs calculated at the ZIP code level, rather than for the entire metropolitan area. SAFMRs are intended to more accurately reflect the local market and provide families with access to low-poverty and high-opportunity areas by providing rental assistance at a level that makes the higher rents in such areas affordable for them. 

For areas where the SAFMR represents an increase in payment standards, The Housing Authority of Winston-Salem will implement the increase from the current payment standard amount at the next reexamination.

For areas where the SAFMR represents a decrease in payment standards: 

The payment standards will remain at their current level until the SAFMR standards meet the current amount. HAP may be adjusted based on changes in family household or income. 

The PHA’s current ZIP code schedule is included below.