Housing Vouchers

OHA’s Housing Vouchers

Omaha Housing Authority (OHA) administers approximately 4300 vouchers. The Omaha Housing Authority (OHA) receives its funding for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The OHA is not a federal department or agency. A public housing agency (PHA) is a governmental or public body, created and authorized by state law to develop and operate housing and housing programs for low-income families. OHA enters into an Annual Contributions Contract with HUD to administer the program requirements on behalf of HUD. OHA must ensure compliance with federal laws, regulations, and notices and must establish policies and procedures to clarify federal requirements and to ensure consistency in program operation.

Omaha Housing Authority jurisdiction covers the city of Omaha, Ralston, Papillion, LaVista, Millard, and Douglas counties. Clients may live in any unit in these areas that meet the Housing Choice Voucher criteria.

General Program Guidelines

The Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8) is the federal government’s major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing available in the private market. Program participants are able to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program and is not limited to units located in a subsidized housing project. OHA strongly encourages families to search for housing outside economically distressed areas. Section 8 participants may move at the end of their lease term to other locations anywhere in the United States where there is an agency operating a housing choice voucher program.

To qualify for the Housing Choice Voucher Program, participants must earn no more than 50% of the area median income. Eligible families generally are required to pay 30% of their adjusted income towards gross rent (owner rent and the amount of the utility allowance for tenant-paid utilities that are not included in the rent to the owner).

The amount of the subsidy paid by OHA is dependent upon the payment standard adopted for each unit size (number of bedrooms), or the gross rent for the unit if less than the payment standard. If the gross rent for a unit exceeds the payment standard, a tenant may choose to pay the higher rent but it may not pay more than 40% of its adjusted income for rent.

Contact the Housing Choice Voucher Department – If you have a question for the OHA HCV Department, feel free to email us at contactsect8@ohauthority.org.

Finding Housing

Unit Search

Participants are free to choose any house or apartment within the Omaha city limits (including their current home) as long as the unit meets certain requirements for housing quality, does not cost more than the HUD fair market rent including utilities, and the owner agrees to take part in the program.

To assist in locating a unit, a booklet “A Good Place to Live”, is given to each participant when assistance is offered at the new participant briefing. Participants can also visit www.housing.ne.gov. Additional program information can be furnished to property owners who may have questions.

Housing Choice Vouchers are effective for a 60-day period.

We want to ensure prompt rental assistance to you before the expiration of your Voucher. If you need additional time, please contact our office to speak with a staff member regarding extensions.

In accordance with HUD regulations, OHA subsidy standards will determine the appropriate unit size for the eligible family.

A listing of units available for participation in the program may be obtained from OHA. In addition, a listing of any known handicapped-accessible units may be obtained. Please note, units listed must still undergo inspection and be pre-approved for the HCV Program.