What is Section 8 Rental Assistance?
The Idaho Housing and Finance Association administers the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's federal rental assistance program. Rental assistance is designed to help eligible households rent safe, sanitary and affordable housing by paying some or all of their rental costs.
How Does It Work?
Each of IHFA's four branch offices maintain area waiting lists. If you are interested in obtaining Section 8 Rental Assistance, you must fill out an application for assistance and submit it to IHFA. Your income must fall within the
income guidelines set by HUD in order to be considered income-eligible for rental assistance.
You will be placed on the waiting list once you are determined income-eligible. Because of the high demand for assistance, the period of time you may spend on the waiting list can vary from several months to more than two years.
The preference for which you qualify, the date of your application and rental assistance availability all determine how quickly you will receive assistance.
Once your name comes to the top of the waiting list, you will be contacted by your local branch office to complete eligibility determination and participate in a participant briefing that explains the program.
Am I Eligible for Section 8 Rental Assistance?
You are considered eligible for the program if you fall within the income guidelines established by HUD and meet certain other eligibility requirements. You may not be considered eligible if you:\
Owe money to IHFA or any other housing authority;
Have ever committed fraud while participating in a federal housing program;
Have ever been evicted from public housing;
Have committed drug-related or violent criminal acts; or
Are determined to be ineligible due to other reasons as defined by HUD.
What are My Responsibilities as a Participant?
In order to remain in the Federal Section 8 Rental Assistance Program, you must :
Pay your share of the rent.
Pay your utilities (if any).
Not damage the property.
Notify the IHFA Branch Office and landlord if you wish to move to another unit.
Permit IHFA to conduct inspections to ensure the property is in good condition.
Immediately report any changes in your household members and income.
Where Can I Live?
Almost any kind of safe, decent and sanitary housing qualifies. Units can include:
Apartments
Homes/Duplexes
Mobile Homes
To be Accepted, Units Must:
Have adequate living space.
Have adequate heating, electrical, water and sewer systems.
Be free from any conditions that might endanger your health and safety.
Equal Housing Opportunity
The Section 8 Program and IHFA operate under the federal Fair Housing Law (Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968) and other federal and state housing laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, familial status, disability, national ancestry or origin.
Need More Information?
To find an IHFA branch office near you, visit our Web
site (www.ihfa.org), or call:
Coeur d'Alene Office:
610 W. Hubbard, Bay 219, Harbor Plaza
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho 83814
(208) 667-3380 Toll-free 1-866-621-2994
Idaho Falls Office:
390 W. Sunnyside Rd.
Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402
(208) 522-6002 Toll-free 1-866-684-3756
Twin Falls Office:
844 N. Washington, Suite 400
Twin Falls, Idaho 83301
(208) 734-8531 Toll-free 1-866-234-3435
The phone number for IHFA's Boise Administration Office is (208) 331-4886. IHFA's statewide telephone number for hearing impaired persons is 1-800-545-1833, ext. 400.
