TWIN FALLS - Current or potential landlords in southwest Idaho are encouraged to attend a free landlord workshop on Tuesday (Dec. 14), sponsored by the Idaho Housing and Finance Association. The workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at Obenchain Insurance, 264 Main Avenue South in Twin Falls. Workshop seating is limited and those planning to attend are encouraged to reserve space by contacting IHFA’s Twin Falls office at 208-734-8531.

New changes in Section 8 Rental Assistance will be addresses, explaining the switch from certificates to vouchers. This restructure goes into effect in January for all Section 8 participants.

"We hope that landlords who currently lease their rental units through HUD’s Section 8 program will take advantage of this important workshop," said Julie Williams, IHFA vice president of Community Housing Services. "HUD’s recent changes to the program will allow families more flexibility in selecting the unit they wish to rent."

IHFA administers Section 8 programs on behalf of HUD in 34 of Idaho’s 44 counties. Last fiscal year, IHFA administered over $8 million in Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) to participating landlords in the Section 8 program. This benefits more than 2,400 low-income households each month.

To be eligible for rental assistance, households must qualify under HUD income limits and pay 30 percent of their adjusted gross monthly income for rent and utilities.

IHFA’s four branch offices, located in Coeur d’Alene, Lewiston, Twin Falls and Idaho Falls, administer the Section 8 program. Landlord workshops are coordinated semi-annually by each office.