Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)

The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, also known as Section 8, was created by Congress in 1974.  The HCV program is the largest affordable housing program in the United States and is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (www.HUD.gov).

The HCV program provides rental assistance to families, the elderly and persons with special needs that have incomes up to 50 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). Vouchers enable participants to receive a subsidy, while leasing from their choice of landlords in the private market.

The rental assistance is designed so that families are not forced to spend an unreasonable portion of the monthly income on shelter.  The program also allows families the flexibility to select the community or neighborhood in which they live.

New Important Topics – HCV Advisor

Read more information from HUD about Employment Income Verification (“EIV”), by clicking on the following link:

Public Housing-Section 8 EIV Guide

Click here to view our Administrative Plan.

Please click here for a list of waivers implemented by the housing authority in 2020.

Payment Standard Calculation Changes

On April 1, 2018, Pinellas County Housing Authority (PCHA) began using a new method to calculate the amount of money we will pay toward rent and utilities for each family on our Housing Choice Voucher and Homeownership Programs. Under this new approach, the standard we use to determine the maximum subsidy for a rental unit, known as the payment standard, is based on the rent estimates for each ZIP code.

Click the link below to go to HUD’s website.

• Choose the Click Here for FY FMRs button on HUDs webpage then
• Choose the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater option under the Or select a FY 2024 HUD Metropolitan Fair Market Rent Area drop down and finally
• Click the Select HUD FMR Area button.

Click here to read more about calculation changes.

Waiting List

The Pinellas County Housing Authority Housing Choice Voucher-Section 8 waiting list is currently closed. We are not accepting any new applications for this waiting list. We do not have a future date scheduled to open the waiting list.

Landlords

Click here for landlord information.

Forms

We offer electronic forms for you to view, complete, and electronically sign. These forms are for existing Housing Choice Voucher holders and Housing Choice Voucher Landlords. These forms are not for applicants to any Pinellas County Housing Authority waiting list. Click here to be taken to the forms page.

Find Affordable Housing

If you are a participant of the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program and are looking for affordable rental housing please click here to find my unit or click here for the FloridaHousingSearch.org website..

Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO)

PCHA has a strong commitment to affirmatively furthering fair housing.  We do business in accordance with the Federal Fair Housing law.  For more information about Fair Housing and your rights, please find HUD’s FHEO brochures in English and Spanish.

Contact Your Housing Advisor

You can reach your assigned housing advisor by calling (727) 443-7684 and dialing their extension. Advisors are assigned by tenant last name.

Click here to find your housing advisor.

Additional Housing Choice Voucher Staff