IHFA administers the HUD Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program in 34 of the 44 counties in Idaho. This is accomplished through its four branch offices located in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Falls, Lewiston, and Twin Falls, plus the oversight and administrative office in Boise. As part of the HCV program, IHFA also administers the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) voucher, the Mainstream Non-Elderly with Disabilities voucher, and other targeted programs.
To be eligible, applicants must meet HUD income guidelines and participants pay approximately 30 percent of adjusted gross monthly income for rent. With HCV, participants are able to select their own housing, provided the housing meets program requirements. However, due to high demand applicants are placed on waiting lists which varies from 12 months to 18 months, depending on their current housing status and the area of the state and program funding levels.
People seeking HCV rental assistance may apply online or print an application.
Housing Choice Voucher Applications>>
Important!
IHFA has implemented a new program – Mainstream for Non-Elderly Persons with Disabilities (Mainstream NED). IHFA’s Mainstream NED program is limited to 50 vouchers statewide. Mainstream NED is targeted to individuals and families who have a member who is a non-elderly (aged 18 or older, but less than 62) person with disabilities who is:
The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program is a HUD federal rental assistance program that is
designed to help eligible households rent safe, sanitary, and affordable housing by paying
some or all of their rental costs, depending upon household income.
To be considered eligible for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, applicants must
qualify under HUD income guidelines and meet other eligibility criteria. When an application
is received, applicants are placed on a waiting list.
Once accepted to the HCV program, all household income, allowances and family composition
are verified and recertified annually by IHFA staff. Participants under these programs pay
approximately 30 percent of their adjusted gross monthly income for rent. As a participant’s
income changes, the participant’s rent share changes proportionately.
With HCV, participants are able to choose their own housing, and may select a single-family
home, townhouse, duplex, apartment, or manufactured home, provided the housing meets
program requirements.
Each of IHFA’s four branch offices maintain area waiting lists. If you are interested in
obtaining a Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), you must fill out an application and submit it
online or to your local IHFA branch office. Because of the high demand for assistance, the
period of time you spend on the waiting list can vary from 12 months to more than 2 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 IHFA branch office to complete eligibility determination and attend a participant briefing that explains the program.
To be eligible for voucher rental assistance, applicants must qualify under HUD income limits
and meet other eligibility criteria. Before an applicant can lease up, all household income,
allowances, and family composition will be verified by IHFA staff. You may not be considered
eligible if you:
With Housing Choice Vouchers, the assistance (subsidy) is attached to the participant, rather
than the unit, thus enabling participants to select their own housing, including single-family
homes, townhouses, duplexes, apartments, and manufactured homes, provided it meets
program requirements. Almost any kind of safe, decent, and sanitary housing qualifies. To be
accepted units must:
A preference is a tool that can be used to prioritize eligible households for placement on the
waiting list for housing assistance. These preferences must be based on local housing needs
and priorities, as determined by each Public Housing Agency and are verified before
admittance to the program. IHFA has established the following preferences:
Each year, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) reviews and establishes
income limits for all HUD housing programs. These income limits are based on Median Family
Income estimates. IHFA is required to use the HUD established income limits to determine
income eligibility for all applicants. To find out if you are income eligible for a rental assistance program contact the Branch Office serving the County you want to live in for up to date amounts.
You can find the Income Limits in your region here.
