Services

Senator Lieberman's Constituent Service Center offers help in the following areas:

• Child Support
• Consumer Protection
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• Housing
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• Medicare--Part D Rx Program
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• Transportation
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Housing

Senator Lieberman's Constituent Service Center regularly receives the following questions regarding housing. If your question is not answered here, please send an email so that his staff may address your concern.

• What are Section 8 Vouchers and how do I get one?
• Where can I get housing counseling?
• Are there other housing programs that I might be eligible for?

Q: What are Section 8 Vouchers and how do I get one?

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers allow very low-income families and individuals to lease or purchase safe and affordable privately-owned housing. There are several different types of housing vouchers available from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD):

The Conversion Voucher assists Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) with relocation or replacement housing due to demolition, disposition, or mandatory conversion of public housing units. Conversion Vouchers also provide assistance to families living in Section 8 projects where the owner has chosen to opt out of their contract, HUD is taking action against the landlord with project-based assistance, or the owner is prepaying the mortgage. For additional information please visit http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs/hcv/conversion.cfm

Family Unification Voucher are available to families for whom the lack of adequate housing is a key factor in the separation, or threat of separation, of children from their families or to facilitate the reunification of children with their families. Family Unification Vouchers permit families to lease or purchase decent, safe and sanitary housing that is affordable in the private housing market. For additional information please visit http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs/hcv/family.cfm

Homeownership Vouchers allow low-income families to purchase a home by providing financial aid for mortgage payments and other homeownership related expenses. For additional information please visit http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs/hcv/homeownership

Project Based Vouchers are an element of a public housing agency’s (PHAs) housing choice voucher programs. A PHA can attach up to 20 percent of its voucher assistance to specific housing units if the owner agrees to either rehabilitate or construct the units, or the owner agrees to set aside a portion of the units in an existing development. For additional information please visit http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs/hcv/project.cfm

Tenant Based Vouchers increase affordable housing choices for very low-income families. Families with a tenant-based voucher select and lease safe, decent, and affordable privately-owned rental housing. For additional information please visit http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs/hcv/index.cfm

Vouchers for People with Disabilities are for elderly and non-elderly families that include a person with disabilities. These vouchers also assist families affected by a Public Housing Authority’s decision to designate their buildings as "mixed elderly and disabled buildings" but who demonstrate a need for alternative resources for families with a disabled person; and non-elderly families with a disabled person, who do not currently receive housing assistance in certain developments where owners establish preferences for, or restrict occupancy to, elderly families. For additional information please visit http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs/hcv/pwd

In order to determine your eligibility to participate in one of these voucher programs please contact the Public Housing Authority in your city or town. To find this information please use this link http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/pha/contacts/states/ct.cfm

Q: Where can I get housing counseling?

Contact the Housing Education Resource Center with questions related to affordable housing in Connecticut. You may reach a housing counselor at 901 Wethersfield Avenue, Hartford, CT 06114, (860) 296-4242.

Q: Are there other housing programs that I might be eligible for?

Yes. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development offers a number of programs that you may find helpful. To learn more about these programs you can access the department’s web site at http://www.hud.gov In addition, the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) offers aid to first time homebuyers. To learn more about the programs offered by CHFA please contact: Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, 999 West Street, Rocky Hill, CT 06067, (860) 721-9501 or visit http://www.chfa.org

A staff member will contact you as soon as possible if additional material or information is required.

SECTION 8 HOUSING ALERT: Click here for a important Public Notice from the State of Connecticut Department of Social Services regarding the opening of the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program and State Rental Assistance Program (RAP) waiting lists on Monday, June 18, 2007.

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