Program Status | Overview | Eligibility | How to Apply | View Service Area Map

Housing Choice Voucher  Program Status

Program Overview

The Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV), also known as Section 8, is a rental assistance program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It is designed to assist low-income families rent apartments or homes in the private market. The lease amount is established based on rents paid for comparable unassisted units in the private market in the neighborhood where the unit is located. Rents may not exceed the Fair Market Rent (FMR) amounts established by HUD. If a person is eligible, he or she is placed upon a waiting list. When available, a voucher is issued which the person uses to find an appropriate unit in an area served by the Housing Authority of Maricopa County (HAMC). Utilizing the voucher, a person or family pays approximately 30% to 40% of their income toward rent and utilities and HAMC pays the difference.

Service Area Map

Eligibility

The Housing Authority of Maricopa County (HAMC) screens applicants to determine they meet the federally mandated qualifications for the Housing Choice Voucher Program. This includes verification of eligibility and income information provided on the pre-application form. Income limits for program eligibility are adjusted according to family size and deductible allowances specified in federal legislation.

HAMC only serves the needs of specific areas of Maricopa County. As a general rule, HAMC only operates in areas and cities that do not have their own housing department or are unincorporated. If a person wishes to live in Phoenix, Glendale, Mesa, Tempe, Scottsdale, or Chandler he or she must contact the local housing departments. A list of contact information for those cities may be found here.

The Housing Authority of Maricopa County does not discriminate on the basis of Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Disability, Family Status or National Origin. The Housing Authority of Maricopa County is an Equal Housing Opportunity provider.
 

How to Apply

Families wishing to apply for the Housing Choice Voucher Program with the Housing Authority of Maricopa County (HAMC) must complete a written application and submit it to the main office by mail. When the wait list is open, application forms may be downloaded from this page at the link below.

Download Application Form

Print out the application form, fill in the information requested, and then sign it. Mail it to the Housing Authority of Maricopa County, 2024 N. 7th Street, Suite 101, Phoenix, AZ 85006.

Your application will be screened to determine if you are eligible to apply, based upon the information you provided. All information on the form is subject to verification. If you pre-qualify, a letter will be sent notifying you of your status, and providing more information about the application process. Your name will then be added to the wait list.

The Application form may be downloaded by clicking here.