HCVP FAQs

Applicants

I have filed an application for the Housing Choice Voucher Program. Now what?

• The Housing Authority of Darlington cannot tell you how long you will wait to receive assistance. The Housing Authority of Darlington maintains the waiting list in date order. The Housing Authority of Darlington has elected to adopt the following as local preferences:
  • Victims of domestic violence
  • Families that include a person with disabilities, but not persons with a specific disability
  • Single persons who are elderly, displaced, homeless, or persons with disabilities over other single persons
  • Applicant families whose head of household or spouse is employed or has a bona fide offer for employment.
  • Families whose head of household or spouse is sixty-two (62) years of age or disabled
• Any applicants who qualify for a preference will be given preference for housing over applicants who do not qualify for a preference. 
• The Housing Authority of Darlington updates the waiting list annually in October to ensure that the pool of applicants is sufficient to maintain voucher lease up and reasonably represents interested families. Purging also enables the Housing Authority to update the information regarding address, family composition, family income, and preference claims. The Housing Authority of Darlington will mail a notice to the applicant's last known address requesting information regarding their continued interest in maintaining a place on the waiting list. The request letter will include a deadline date by which the applicant must return the letter. If the Housing Authority of Darlington fails to receive the updated applicant information by the deadline date, the applicant's name will be removed from the waiting list. The Housing Authority of Darlington does not accept responsibility for mail delays.

What if I don't agree with a decision the Housing Authority of Darlington made about my application?

• You may have the right to request an informal review in some situations. An informal review is a review of the housing authority's decision on an applicant's application for participation in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. Informal reviews are not required for established policies and procedures and determinations such as: discretionary administrative determinations, general policy issues or class grievances, a determination of the family unit size under the subsidy standards, refusal to extend a voucher, disapproval of the lease, determination that a unit is not in compliance with HQS, and determination that a unit is not in accordance with HQS due to family size or composition. If you have the right to request an informal review, your notice shall contain directions for requesting the review.

Program Participants

How long do I have to report changes in my income?

• Tenants must notify the Housing Authority of Darlington of increases in income within ten (10) calendar days of the effective date of the increase. Tenants may report decreases in income and request an interim re-examination to adjust the rent. Tenants must fill out the "Requirements for Resident Requested Changes" form and provide all documentation as specified on the form.

Do I have to notify the Housing Authority of Darlington if someone moves in or out of my home? 

• Yes. The Housing Authority of Darlington is required to amend the lease when there are additions or deletions to the family composition. Tenants must fill out the "Requirements for Resident Requested Changes" form and provide all documentation as specified on the form.

What if I don't agree with a decision the Housing Authority of Darlington has made? 

• In certain situations, you may request an informal hearing. An informal hearing is a hearing regarding a decision affecting a participating family in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program. Complete procedures for requesting an informal hearing can be found in the Administrative Plan for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.|

How often will my unit be inspected by the Housing Authority of Darlington? 

• Once a unit is initially approved for participation in the program, the Housing Authority of Darlington will conduct biennial (once every two years) unit inspections for all units that had no health and safety deficiencies during the previous HQS inspection. Any unit that had health and safety deficiencies during its previous inspection, will be inspected annually (once every year).