Resources for Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program Participants
SHRA administers the Housing Choice Voucher program and other rental assistance programs in Sacramento County and serves approximately 12,900 families each month by paying housing assistance payments (HAP) to landlords on behalf of eligible participants. As part of the HCV program, the tenant pays approximately 30 percent of their income towards rent and the remainder is paid by United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds directly to the landlord. During open application periods, applications will be accepted at www.sacwaitlist.com. Please review the City and County HCV Administrative Plan that is required by HUD for additional information about the program.
Finding Housing Using Your Voucher Workshop
This workshop will help voucher holders understand how to be rent ready, how to ensure a unit is affordable and what rent reasonableness is, understanding the application process, and the RFTA/inspection process. This training is open to all voucher holders, but may be mandatory for some voucher extension requests. The workshop will take on every other Monday at 2:30pm.
Source of Income Protections for Housing Choice Voucher Holders
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Current Participants
Below are a list of frequently asked questions for current HCV Program participants. If you have questions related to the Public Housing Program, click here. If you would like information about applying for assistance click here. Please contact us at 916-440-1390 for additional assistance.
General HCV Program Questions
What is a Tenant Code or “T-Code” and why should I know my T-Code?
The Tenant Code or T-Code is a unique sequence of letters and numbers used to identify families on the HCV program and which also protects your personal information. All correspondence sent to you as a program participant includes your T-Code. To further protect your privacy, correspondence sent to you from SHRA typically includes a barcode at the bottom of the document which can be scanned at the kiosk located inside the 630 I Street office lobby for faster service.
I would like to move to Sacramento. Is Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA) accepting voucher portability transfers to Sacramento (ports) at this time?
Yes. The Housing Agency that issued your current voucher must be contacted first to request your port (transfer). If the port is approved, you will be under the purview of both Housing Agencies from that point forward. If you transfer to a unit within Sacramento County, members of your household must meet the adopted standards for Sacramento which include:
• Passing background checks for criminal activity and evictions (applicable to adults)
• Following the rules and regulations adopted by the Sacramento HCV Program
• Abiding by the family obligations as an HCV Program participant
How long am I allowed to have a visitor stay with me?
A visitor may stay no more than 30 consecutive days or a total of 30 days in a twelve month period. You should also check your signed lease agreement with the Owner to ensure you are not violating any visitor policy mentioned in the lease.
I would like to move outside of Sacramento County? Do I lose my voucher? If not, what do I need to do?
The first step is to send a written request to SHRA that you would like to move. If you are eligible to move you will then be scheduled to attend a meeting to review the process known as a mover’s briefing. At this session moving outside of Sacramento County (porting), will be explained to you and the proper forms will be provided.
Can my live in aide be my family member?
A live in aide can be a family member as long as this family member is not currently living in the assisted unit.
Can I rent a unit from a family member?
The Housing Authority will not approve a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract with any property owner who is related to the tenant. The Housing Authority may waive this restriction as a reasonable accommodation for a family member with a disability.
Can I complete a RFTA online?
You can now complete a Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) online! Visit rfta.shra.org to start.
The RFTA packet is the formal documentation that is completed to begin the lease-up process with the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program.
The Landlord will start the process by going to rfta.shra.org. Landlords will then complete the online RFTA which takes about 20 minutes.
The Resident will want to provide the Landlord their:
- TCode
- First and Last Name
- Phone number
- Email address (important since this is how Resident’s will sign!)
How to Find and Keep Housing Using Your Voucher Video
Walkthrough of Resident Portal
Reporting Household Changes
How do I report changes to my HCV household? What type of changes do I need to disclose?
HCV program participants must report all household changes to SHRA within thirty (30) days using the form linked here, HCV Household Change Form. All changes other than birth, adoption or court awarded custody of a child require approval by SHRA. Participants must also report any change to the household income, or any addition/removal of an individual from the household within 30 days. Documents can be mailed in to the office (630 I Street, Sacramento CA 95814), faxed in at 916-449-1285 or dropped off at the HCV drop box located outside of the 630 I Street offices. Documents are removed from the HCV drop box at least four times a day during normal business hours.
Is the voucher transferable to another family member in the event of the death of the voucher holder?
The voucher may be transferred to the partner or spouse in the household in the event of the death of the primary voucher holder. If there is no partner or spouse, the voucher may be transferred to the remaining adult family member, if that person has been a part of the household for at least one year and was added to the household with Housing Authority approval. If the remaining family member is a minor, another adult authorized to care for the minor child may be approved to reside in the home and may be issued the voucher.
What do I do if a member of my household passes away?
Please report this to the Housing Authority in writing within 30 days, by completing the form linked here HCV Household Change Form. If possible please also furnish a copy of the death certificate.
What do I do if a member of my family was arrested?
If the arrest resulted in a conviction or an absence from the home for longer than 30 days, you must report this in writing to the Housing Authority within 30 days.
What do I do if I am going away for more than 30 days and won’t be living in my unit for that time period?
The family must provide written notice to the Housing Authority in advance and obtain approval of their intent to be absent from the unit for 30 or more consecutive days.
I would like to move but cannot find housing. Do I have an option to share a house with others?
Yes, shared housing is always a housing option. Shared Housing is a single housing unit occupied by an assisted family and another resident/family. The shared unit consists of both common space for the use of the occupants of the unit and separate private space for each assisted family. For more information on Shared Housing please contact the HCV Owner Service Department at 916-440-1390.
Reasonable Accommodation Information
What is a Reasonable Accommodation?
Based on Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, a reasonable accommodation is a change, exception or adjustment to a rule, policy practice or service that may be necessary for the person with a disability to have an equal opportunity to any program or service receiving federal funds (including the Housing Authority programs).
In addition, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Housing Act prohibit discrimination in housing related activities based on disability.
What is the definition of a Person with a Disability?
A person with a disability is any person who:
- Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of an individual; or
- Has a record of having such impairment; or
- Is regarded as having such impairment
What is the Housing Authority Staff Role and Responsibility?
Housing Authority employees are responsible for ensuring that the Agency does not discriminate against a person with a disability by refusing to make a reasonable accommodation that may be necessary to allow that person equal access under any of the programs administered by the Housing Authority.
Requesting Reasonable Accommodation
A reasonable accommodation request(s) may be made by or on behalf of a person with a disability to any Housing Authority staff. If a participant or applicant indicates that an exception, change, or adjustment to a rule, policy, practice or service is needed because of a disability, the Housing Authority staff must treat that information as a request for a reasonable accommodation even if no formal written request is made.
Verbal requests are the most common types of requests. In cases such as these, the participant is provided a Reasonable Accommodation form.
Be advised that if the participant or applicant does not complete the “Official RA form,” it does not negate or cancel out the fact that a reasonable accommodation request was made.
For more information about the reasonable accommodation process please click here.
For more information, please contact:
MaryLiz Paulson, 504 Coordinator & HCV Assistant Director
630 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
916.449.6346
SHRA’s reasonable accommodation policy can be found here.
To access HUD’s Section 504, Fair Housing, and ADA notices, regulations and supportive documents click here.
How to contact HCV Program Staff
For more information about the Housing Choice Voucher program, contact the Customer Service line at (916) 440-1390. You may also send a fax to us at (916) 449-1285, or use our drop box located outside our office building at 630 I Street, Sacramento, near the entrance to our parking lot on 7th Street. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are open by appointment only, Monday through Friday from 8am to 5 pm. If you have an in-person appointment, please come to our office at 630 I Street.
Are you an Applicant? Do you need help with…
- to Apply to a Waiting List
- Intake Housing Choice Voucher paper application already submitted
- a Change of Income
- a Change of Household
- to request a Voucher Extension
- Reasonable Accommodation
- Other
To make a virtual appointment click here
Are you porting to Sacramento (Moving with a voucher from one another Housing Authority)?
Has the paperwork from your Housing Authority been sent to SHRA?
To make a virtual appointment click here
Are you a current SHRA HCV Participant? Are you currently living in a unit with a voucher?
Do you need help with…
- Annual Recertification
- Change of Income
- Change of Household
- Resident Portal
- Move Request
- Portability (Moving out of Sacramento County)
- Landlord has Served a Notice
- Voucher Extension
- Reasonable Accommodation
- Other
To make a virtual appointment click here
Do you need help with Owner/Landlord and Lease-Up Services?
- Abatement
- Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) submitted
- Owner Agent Payee Change
- Rent Increase
- Landlord Portal
- Utility Change
- Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Contract
- Payments
- Other
To make a virtual appointment click here
Do you need to schedule an inspection or have questions about an inspection?
Call or email to schedule an inspection: inspections@nanmckay.com or call 916-800-6155.
Do you need assistance with a Project-Based Voucher, RAD or Section 18?
Have you submitted an application or are you currently living in a project-based voucher unit such as the following locations: Phoenix Park, Saybrook, Serna, Mirasol Village, Courtyard at Orange Grove, La Mancha, Downtown Elderly units, etc.…
Do you need help with an application submitted?
To make a virtual appointment click here
Are you currently living in a Project-Based Voucher unit or in the process of moving?
To make a virtual appointment click here
Do you have a VASH voucher or have received a referral for VASH? This is a referral only program.
Do you need help with an application submitted?
To make a virtual appointment click here
Are you currently living in a unit or in the move process with a VASH voucher? Are you currently living at Mather Veterans Village or Hotel Berry?
To make a virtual appointment click here
Do you need assistance with a Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) submitted?
To make a virtual appointment click here
Do you need help with a FSRP/Pathways or P3 voucher? These are referral only programs.
Do you need help with…
- Annual Recertification
- Change of Income
- Change of Household
- Resident Portal
- Move Request
- Portability (Moving out of Sacramento County)
- Landlord has Served a Notice
- Voucher Extension
- Reasonable Accommodation
- Other
To make a virtual appointment click here
Are you on the Shelter Plus Care Program? This is a referral only program.
Do you need help with an application submitted? Are you currently living in a unit or in the process of moving?
To make a virtual appointment click here
Online Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA)
You can now complete a Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) online! Visit rfta.shra.org to start.
The RFTA packet is the formal documentation that is completed to begin the lease-up process with the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program.
The Landlord will start the process by going to rfta.shra.org. Landlords will then complete the online RFTA which takes about 20 minutes.
The Resident will want to provide the Landlord their:
- TCode
- First and Last Name
- Phone number
- Email address (important since this is how Resident’s will sign!)
Port In/ Port Out Procedures
The Sacramento County Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program is currently absorbing voucher holders who move into Sacramento County or “port-in” from other public housing agencies (PHAs). This is subject to change at any time.
We are required by regulation to “accept” but other agencies need to know if we are absorbing or administering.
Porting in to Sacramento County:
Once the HCV participant receives portability approval, the initial PHA must contact SHRA and submit the following documentation:
- Form HUD-52665
- Copies of income verification forms
- Copy of the voucher
- Permanent records
- Copy of the most recent Form HUD-50058
- Enterprise Income Verification (EIV)
- Housing choice voucher holder contact information
After SHRA receives all necessary documentation, the HCV participant will be contacted within 14 days to receive an appointment for a Port-In Briefing.
- Port-In briefings are held every Thursday by appointment only.
- All adult members of the household that are porting in must pass a criminal background check.
The HCV participant can continue with the leasing process pending the outcome of the criminal background check on all adult household members.
If the criminal background check shows that a family member has a conviction that consists of violence or drugs within the last three years, the file will be sent to the Admission Review Team (ART).
- If the ART team approves the family, then SHRA will proceed with leasing the family up.
- If the ART team denies the family, the family will be denied and their file will be sent back to the initial Housing Authority
The PHA must permanently deny assistance to applicants or participants to the HCV program if the PHA determines that any member of the household has ever been convicted of manufacturing or producing methamphetamine or is a registered sex offender
Submit Documents to:
SHRA
Attn: Portability
630 I Street Sacramento, CA 95814
Fax: 916-449-1285
Phone: 916-440-1390
Portability packets can be emailed to:
HCVPortin@shra.org
Porting out of Sacramento County:
Current HCV Participants
For voucher holders who live in Sacramento and want to move out of the county, please contact your SHRA caseworker and let them know you would like to port to another jurisdiction.
- The housing caseworker will determine if you are eligible to port-out.
- If you owe money to Sacramento County or are in the first year of your lease, you are not eligible to port.
- If your recertification is due within 4 months of your port date, you will be required to complete a new recertification prior to being put in a movers briefing.
- If you are eligible to port out of Sacramento you will be given a portability move appointment.
After the portability move appointment, the housing caseworker will prepare your paperwork for transfer to the new (receiving) housing authority and send them your documents.