How do I apply for Rent Assistance?

Applicants must apply in person when the Wait List is open.  Call 755-3127 to find out if the Wait List is currently open or closed. 

Does the Housing Authority have preferences for families on the Wait List?

Yes, we have a local ranking preference.  Applicants who live and/or work within the Janesville City limits will receive preference over persons who do not.  

Where am I on the Wait List?

The length of the wait list is constantly changing and it is impossible to predict when your name will come to the top of the list because it depends on when other families leave the program and when funding becomes available.  

Why is the Rent Assistance Wait List so long?

Funding for this program is limited.  Congress determines the amount of funding the Housing Choice Voucher program will receive and HUD then decides how much each Housing Authority receives.  The Housing Authority helps as many families as possible with the money available.  Each family receiving voucher assistance will keep their assistance until they no longer need it or are terminated from the program.  Once the HUD money is fully committed, we are unable to help new families until someone leaves the program.  

What kind of criminal background check is done on applicants? 

The Housing Authority must prohibit admission if any household member is subject to a lifetime State sex offender registration program requirement.   Additionally, the Housing Authority must prohibit admission if the Housing Authority has reasonable cause to believe that any member of the family is illegally using a controlled substance, abuses alcohol in a way that may interfere with the health, safety or right to peaceful enjoyment of the premises by other residents and if any member of the family has been arrested for violent criminal activity within the three year period preceding the date their name came to the top of the wait list.   

Does the Rent Assistance program help with security deposits?

No, the City of Janesville Rent Assistance Program assists with rent only.   Security deposit assistance may be available through ECHO 754-5333.

Do I have to have children to apply for Rent Assistance?

No, a family can be made up of one or more persons.  You must be considered low income to be eligible.  Income is based upon the Rock County median income guidelines. 

I am about to be homeless.  How do I obtain Emergency Assistance?

The Rent Assistance Program is not an emergency-based program.  We have no emergency funds.  You may wish to contact, ECHO, the House of Mercy or the YWCA.  See Resources on this website. 

Can the Housing Authority deny assistance?

Yes.  Even if you can prove that you need housing, the Housing Authority is required by federal law and Housing Authority policies to refuse assistance if you do not qualify.

How long does an applicant have to find a place once they are issued a voucher? 

Once a voucher is issued, a participant has 60 days to find a suitable unit before the voucher expires.   Under certain situations, the 60-day period can be extended.

Do participants need to sign a lease agreement?

Yes.  Initially, the tenant and landlord will sign a 1-year lease.  The Housing Authority will review the lease to make sure it complies with program guidelines. 

Does the Housing Choice Voucher Program pay the rental assistance to the participant?

The Housing Authority your rental assistance directly to the landlord on the 1^st of the month. Failure by a participant to pay their portion of the rent as required by the lease agreement, can lead to termination of rental assistance.

Does the unit need to be inspected once an applicant begins receiving rental assistance?

Yes.  Units are inspected prior to receiving assistance and put on an annual or biennial inspection schedule thereafter.  The unit must meet Housing Quality Standards of decent, safe and sanitary. 

What happens if the assisted unit needs repairs?

Participants must notify their landlord immediately if something in the unit needs repair.   If violations are found at the time of the Housing Authority inspection, the landlord is given a specific number of days to correct the cited issue.  If there is a health and safety issue, the repair must be fixed within 24 hours.

What happens if income and/or family status changes after the initial lease-up?

Whenever income changes or there is a change in family composition (persons moving in or out of the household), participants are required to report to the Housing Authority within 10 days of the change.  

Are pets allowed in units?

Pet policies are determined by the landlord/property owner and should be detailed in your lease.

What happens if a participant wants to move out of their assisted unit?

Before a participant can move out of their unit, they must fulfill the tenant obligations under their current lease.  This include providing the landlord with proper written notice with a copy to the Housing Authority.  The Housing Authority will issue a new voucher.

What if the landlord does not renew tenancy and I am forced to move from the assisted unit?

The tenant or landlord must provide a copy of the written notice to the Housing Authority.  If the tenant is in good standing and has been receiving assistance for more than one year, the Housing Authority can assist with a new unit.  

What is portability?

An eligible family that has been issued a Housing Choice Voucher may use the voucher to lease a unit anywhere in the United States where there is a housing agency operating the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.  In order to “port out”, the family must reside a minimum of one year in the City of Janesville prior to being issued a port out voucher. 

The City of Janesville Housing Authority Housing Choice Voucher Program allows for families with a voucher from another Housing Authority to transfer their voucher to our agency.  This process is called “porting in”.  The process of transferring a voucher from one agency to another varies depending upon a number of factors.