WHEDA Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program

The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program, formerly known as Section 8, helps low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford housing in the private rental market. Participants may search for their own housing, including apartments, single-family homes, duplexes, and townhomes, anywhere within WHEDA’s service areas across Wisconsin. Local Program Agents manage daily program functions, including intake, eligibility, rent increases, annual recertifications, and inspections.

Through the program, landlords who offer housing at reasonable rents receive a portion of the tenant’s rent directly from a Public Housing Authority (PHA), providing reliable monthly payments. The program is administered by WHEDA and local Program Agents, who manage eligibility, inspections, rent approvals, and ongoing compliance under the HCV Administrative Plan.

Who Can Apply?

Anyone who meets the program’s income and eligibility requirements may apply for WHEDA’s Housing Choice Voucher Program when the waiting list is open. The program serves low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities.

You may qualify if:

• Your household income is within federal income limits.
• You meet program eligibility rules.
• Your assets are within allowable limits.

View Income Limits

How Does The Waiting List Work?

When the waiting list is open, applicants are place on the list based on the date and time the application is received through the application portal. You must keep your HCV pre-application updated with your income, family composition, and address. Once each year, within a prescribed time period, you will be required to update your HCV pre-application on file with the PHA, or your name will be removed from the HCV waiting list. Once removed, you will have to obtain and return a new, completed pre-application when the waiting list is open.

From time to time, WHEDA’s Program Agents may close the HCV waiting list because it has become too long so we cannot reasonably estimate when we may be able to assist an applicant. When a waiting list is opened, announcements are published in the local newspapers.

How Do I Apply?

WHEDA accepts applications only through the online Applicant Portal when the waiting list is open. You must keep your pre-application up to date each year, or your name will be removed from the waiting list. Any requests for applications or questions regarding your application and status should be directed to a Program Agent.

Applicant Portal Login

How Does The Program Work

• Apply when the waiting list is open.
• If selected, receive a voucher.
• You have 60 days to find a unit whose owner is willing to rent under the program.
  Two 30-day extensions will be granted, not to exceed 120 days.
• The Program Agent inspects and approves the unit on behalf of WHEDA.
• The Program Agent signs a contract with the landlord on behalf of WHEDA.
• You sign a lease and pay your share of the rent.
• WHEDA pays the rest directly to the landlord.

How Much Rent Will I Pay?

If the gross rent for your unit is at or below the payment standard, your share of the rent will be the higher of 30 percent of your adjusted monthly income or 10 percent of your gross monthly income. At move-in, you may not pay more than 40 percent of your adjusted monthly income.

After the initial lease term, the owner may seek an increase, which may result in the family paying more than 40% of its income for its rent share. However, all rents must be reasonable and comparable to those of similar units in the private, unassisted

View Payment Standards

Where Can I Live?

WHEDA serves 72 counties across Wisconsin. Vouchers can be used in any housing authority area that operates an HCV program, subject to portability rules. If a family does not live in WHEDA’s jurisdiction when the voucher is issued, they may be required to live in WHEDA’s jurisdiction for at least one year before moving to another jurisdiction. Dwellings will not be approved if the unit is owned by the parent, child, grandparent, sister, or brother of any voucher holder, unless the unit provides reasonable accommodation for a voucher holder with a disability.

Learn About Portability

Can I Stay In My Current Home

Yes, if your landlord agrees, the unit meets program requirements, and the rent is reasonable.

Can I Rent Any Size Unit?

The unit size for which a family qualifies will be set by the Housing Authority on the basis of the family’s size and makeup. If a family can rent a larger unit and pay less than 40% of its adjusted monthly income at lease-up and the unit meets all HCV Program requirements, the unit will be accepted to the program. A unit smaller than the size set by the Housing Authority may be rented, provided there is at least one living/sleeping room for every two persons in the family.