October Section 8 Newsletter
Housing Authority of the City of Darlington
324 Bacote Street, Darlington, SC 29532
October 2025 - Newsletter
We are so happy to welcome you to our very first official newsletter from the Section 8 Division of the Housing Authority of the City of Darlington. Our newsletter will be issued four times a year, every quarter, so we are able to share information we feel would be beneficial to you as a Landlord and a Tenant. We are looking forward to connecting with you and sharing information with you.
To our Landlords: Thank you for choosing to participate in the Darlington Housing Authority's (HAD)Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program. Our landlord and property owner participants are key to the success of this program.
The HCV program serves families throughout city of Darlington and portions of the county. The program supports the standard lease arrangement between a property owner and a tenant and provides a monthly subsidy payment to the property owner on behalf of the renter to fill the gap between what the renter can afford to pay and the actual market rent amount. The HAD has a strong set of guidelines that each property owner must adhere to as a participant in this program. The property owner is responsible for screening and approving potential residents, continuously maintaining quality housing, and enforcing the tenant's lease. The HAD's staff will always be available to assist you with any questions.
Who takes care of tenant-caused damage during the tenancy?
Just as with any other tenant, repairs for tenants caused damage are the responsibility of the tenant. Failure to make repairs may be grounds to terminate the lease and end the tenant's participation in the HCV program. The security deposit may be kept for reimbursement costs. We strongly suggest that Property Managers/Landlords do a move out inspection.
Does the HAD screen tenants?
The HAD verifies income, assets, and criminal background for the purpose of eligibility for the program. Screening for tenant suitability remains the landlord's responsibility. Please be aware that owners are responsible for screening and selecting tenants the same way that they would in the unassisted rental market. The HAD only determines that the tenant is income-eligible for the program. We do not screen program participants to look for "good tenants." However, we do background checks.
What are my responsibilities as an owner in the HCV program?
Property owners have the same rights and responsibilities in the HCV program as they do with an unassisted tenant on the open market including performing all management and rental functions including tenant screening ensuring that the property meets basic health and safety standards including paying for any owner-supplied utilities; and collecting a security deposit, tenant monthly rent portion, and charges for any damage caused by the tenant.
Listed below are specific rules the Housing Authority of the City of Darlington have in place for Tenants to follow:
- Live in the Unit
- HAD make sure that the people with a Section 8 voucher live in their rental unit. This helps HUD and HAD ensure that there is no fraud in the process. You cannot, for example, qualify for Section 8 assistance, pay your approved rental amount, and then sublet your unit to someone else. You and your family must be the ones living in the unit, and only approved family members can live with you.
- HAD make sure that the people with a Section 8 voucher live in their rental unit. This helps HUD and HAD ensure that there is no fraud in the process. You cannot, for example, qualify for Section 8 assistance, pay your approved rental amount, and then sublet your unit to someone else. You and your family must be the ones living in the unit, and only approved family members can live with you.
- Pay Rent on Time
- As part of your lease contract, you are expected to pay your portion of the rent on time. This is true for anyone who rents a place to live, but it is especially true for those who participate in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program.
- As part of your lease contract, you are expected to pay your portion of the rent on time. This is true for anyone who rents a place to live, but it is especially true for those who participate in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program.
- Report Any Changes in Family Status
- Your eligibility for HCV assistance is calculated based on your family income. This is the total amount of annual income your household earns, plus the number of people in your household. If you add or remove members of your household, you must notify HAD immediately so they can recalculate your appropriate rent payment. If you are adding members and adding income, you may see an increase in the amount of rent that you owe per month, or vice versa if you are losing members and their income.
- Your eligibility for HCV assistance is calculated based on your family income. This is the total amount of annual income your household earns, plus the number of people in your household. If you add or remove members of your household, you must notify HAD immediately so they can recalculate your appropriate rent payment. If you are adding members and adding income, you may see an increase in the amount of rent that you owe per month, or vice versa if you are losing members and their income.
- Report on Any Changes in Income
- If you experience substantial changes in income, you must notify your local housing authority as soon as possible. The goal of the Section 8 housing program is to ensure that your household is paying roughly 30% of its income in rent every month. If your take-home increases, then the local housing authority will need to increase your portion of the rent. The same is true if your annual income decreases. The housing authority will need to lower your monthly rental amount to make sure you remain within the 30% guideline.
- If you experience substantial changes in income, you must notify your local housing authority as soon as possible. The goal of the Section 8 housing program is to ensure that your household is paying roughly 30% of its income in rent every month. If your take-home increases, then the local housing authority will need to increase your portion of the rent. The same is true if your annual income decreases. The housing authority will need to lower your monthly rental amount to make sure you remain within the 30% guideline.
- Follow the Terms of Lease
- This may be obvious, but to remain in good standing with the HVC assistance program, you will need to abide by the terms of the lease carefully and consistently you signed with your landlord. The same is also true for your landlord.
- This may be obvious, but to remain in good standing with the HVC assistance program, you will need to abide by the terms of the lease carefully and consistently you signed with your landlord. The same is also true for your landlord.
- Do not Allow Guests Longer Than 14 Consecutive Days
- Section 8 guidelines clearly approve that family members can live with you. If you accept long-term guests without notifying your PHA, then you are in violation of your Section 8 agreement. Someone who has been living with you for more than 14 consecutive days is considered a member of your household, and the housing authority will need to recalculate your rent payment amount according to your new household composition, along with any family income your guest can contribute. Please remember you are responsible for your guests' actions.
- Section 8 guidelines clearly approve that family members can live with you. If you accept long-term guests without notifying your PHA, then you are in violation of your Section 8 agreement. Someone who has been living with you for more than 14 consecutive days is considered a member of your household, and the housing authority will need to recalculate your rent payment amount according to your new household composition, along with any family income your guest can contribute. Please remember you are responsible for your guests' actions.
- Allow PHA Inspections
- On a bi-annual basis, the housing authority will need to inspect your rental unit to ensure that both you and your landlord are adhering to appropriate rules and regulations. That means that you are taking care of the unit as specified in your lease, and so is your landlord. As part of your agreement to participate in the Section 8 program, you must allow the housing authority access to your rental unit for these inspections when requested.
- On a bi-annual basis, the housing authority will need to inspect your rental unit to ensure that both you and your landlord are adhering to appropriate rules and regulations. That means that you are taking care of the unit as specified in your lease, and so is your landlord. As part of your agreement to participate in the Section 8 program, you must allow the housing authority access to your rental unit for these inspections when requested.
- What Is the Section 8 Family Obligations?
- Every household that receives Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher assistance must agree to abide by HUD's strict tenant rules and obligations - also known as their family obligations. The goal of Section 8 is to help the vulnerable members of our society find safe and affordable housing.
- To be safe, a household must be crime-free and drug-free. The Housing Choice Voucher Program holds participants to extremely ambitious standards of behavior. This is to ensure that the housing environment is safe for everyone.
Mrs. Jaime Steen, Executive Director, 843.393.0436 ext. 2000
Ms. Melissa Walker, Housing Specialist, 843.393.0436 ext. 2005
Ms. Karen Breedy, Inspector, 843.496.8519 (office Cell)
