The Housing Choice Voucher program 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 in the private market. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments. The participant is free to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program. Housing Choice Vouchers are administered locally by public housing agencies (PHAs). The PHAs receive federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer the voucher program. A family that is issued a Housing Voucher is responsible for finding a suitable housing unit of the family’s choice where the owner agrees to rent under the program. This unit may include the family’s present residence. Rental units must meet minimum standards of health and safety, as determined by the PHA. A housing subsidy is paid to the landlord directly by the PHA on behalf of the participating family. The family then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program.
The Housing Choice Voucher program 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 in the private market. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments. The participant is free to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program. Housing Choice Vouchers are administered locally by public housing agencies (PHAs). The PHAs receive federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer the voucher program. A family that is issued a Housing Voucher is responsible for finding a suitable housing unit of the family’s choice where the owner agrees to rent under the program. This unit may include the family’s present residence. Rental units must meet minimum standards of health and safety, as determined by the PHA. A housing subsidy is paid to the landlord directly by the PHA on behalf of the participating family. The family then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program.
HASB has no open Housing Choice Voucher Program Wait Lists.
For applicants who submitted electronic applications during the March 14-16, 2023 opening, the process of certifying the priority preferences has been completed. You will receive emailed notification of whether or not your application was added to the wait list. HASB accepted only the forecasted number of applications that could be processed in a two year period.
If your application was not added to the 2023 waitlist, you are welcome to reapply when the waitlist reopens, likely in late 2024 or early 2025. The reopening will be announced on this website as well as in the South Bend Tribune.
Applicants must meet several criteria to be eligible for assistance
Call volume remains very high. Voicemails requesting Wait List status will NOT be returned. Please use the online option below.
To check your place on our waitlist, please click below. You will need to establish an account. HASB staff is unable to check your place on our waitlist. You MUST use the link below. If you have difficulty with the website, please email support@HMSforWeb.com.
HASB has no open Housing Choice Voucher Program Wait Lists.
For applicants who submitted electronic applications during the March 14-16, 2023 opening, the process of certifying the priority preferences has been completed. You will receive emailed notification of whether or not your application was added to the wait list. HASB accepted only the forecasted number of applications that could be processed in a two year period.
If your application was not added to the 2023 waitlist, you are welcome to reapply when the waitlist reopens, likely in late 2024 or early 2025. The reopening will be announced on this website as well as in the South Bend Tribune.
Applicants must meet several criteria to be eligible for assistance
Check your
Application Status
Call volume remains very high. Voicemails requesting Wait List status will NOT be returned. Please use the online option below.
To check your place on our waitlist, please click below. You will need to establish an account. HASB staff is unable to check your place on our waitlist. You MUST use the link below. If you have difficulty with the website, please email support@HMSforWeb.com.
Once the briefing has been completed, HASB intake staff will process the application file. Failure to provide ALL verification documents required at the time of briefing will result in your file being returned to the waitlist. If returned to the waitlist, you will have one more opportunity to attend a voucher briefing when your file is selected again for processing.
Applications will be processed in the order received. If you have completed the briefing and your application is in process, your information will NOT be viewable in our waitlist tool as your status is “eligibility pending.”
Once an application is ready for eligibility approval, you will receive a written notification to come in to pick up your Voucher Packet. If an application is ready for denial, you will receive written notification of the eligibility determination.
Applicants are responsible for reporting any changes in address, telephone number, email address, family composition, and income to the HASB. Please complete a Program Update Sheet.
All Applicant household members 18 years of age and older must complete a Voucher Briefing, which includes:
PLEASE NOTE: The HASB staff will NOT make copies of your documents for you. You must bring copies that you can leave with the HASB at the time of your briefing.
Your financial help for a place to live is based on all the things you report in your application.
Be completely honest in every part of your application.
If any of your circumstances change (including the amount of household income or expenses or information related to the people in your household), update your application right away. It’s easy to do using the Program Update form.
When your application gets near the top of the waiting list, you will be required to show proof of everything you reported.
You may only apply online when the waitlist is open. The announcement of the opening of the waitlist will occur on this website, in the South Bend Tribune, and through community outreach.
Use the Program Update Sheet (download on Documents & Forms page or available in our Administrative Building’s lobby).
No. You are required to provide this information when you get to the top of the waiting list, but not before. Please wait to provide documentation until HASB contacts you by mail notifying you that you have reached the top of the waiting list.
You will be able to create an account and log in to our applicant portal to view your spot on the waitlist. Do not contact Hin to ASB for this information, it will not be provided. It is available via the website.
It is your responsibility to notify HASB about any changes to your contact information and household members. You are required to report changes to HASB via the Program Update Sheet within 10 days of a change in your mailing address and/or phone number.
If any mail sent to you by HASB is returned (even with a forwarding address), it will not be resent, and your application will be removed from the waiting list.
HASB will contact you by mail occasionally to confirm your continued interest in the housing choice voucher program. If we do not receive a response by the deadline on the letter, your application will be removed from the waiting list.
There is no estimated date for reopening the Housing Choice Voucher waiting list. Check our website for updates. HASB will announce in advance when new applications can be made.
Yes. Every housing authority maintains its own waiting lists. Mishawaka Housing Authority and St Joseph County Housing Authority are the other housing authorities in St. Joseph County, Indiana.
The wait for a Housing Choice Voucher can be up to 10 years from the date of application.
Check your application date and status on our website above. You must create an account. Do not contact HASB staff to ask about your position on the waitlist. It will not be provided. You must use the online tool.
It is up to you to notify HASB about any changes to your contact information, household members, or financial circumstances. Notify HASB within 10 days of the change by using our Program Update Sheet.
If any mail sent to you by HASB is returned (even with a forwarding address), it will not be resent, and your application will be removed from the waiting list.
Follow the directions in the letter. If the letter states a response must be received by a certain date, you must respond by that date. If we do not receive your response by the deadline, your application will be removed from the waitlist.
Yes. HASB screens all applicants for criminal history. If an applicant’s criminal background indicates they may not be a suitable resident, their application for housing assistance may be denied.
You will receive notification in the mail to attend an in-person briefing to complete the application, required forms, turn in your verification documents, and receive information regarding the HCV Program.
You will be contacted to attend a meeting to receive your voucher.
St Joseph County libraries have computers for public use. If possible, ask to use the computer of a friend, family member or case manager from an agency you currently work with so you can complete the application process.
Please contact Indiana 2-1-1 for emergency housing referrals.
HASB has two preferences at this time. Preference is given to those that meet HUD’s definition of homeless and to those who live in the City of South Bend at the time of the application.
No. Our Housing Choice Voucher waiting list moves according to the date of your application. You will be issued a voucher, if eligible, when your name reaches the top of the waiting list.
You do not need to be a United States citizen to apply for housing, but at least one household member must be a citizen or have eligible immigration status to receive housing help.
All voucher extension requests must be made in writing. Please provide a written request with the “unforeseeable circumstance” details and supporting documentation for consideration. This should be addressed to your HCV Specialist. An extension is NOT guaranteed and will only be granted for those requests that are due to unforeseeable circumstances or as a reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities in line with the HASB Administrative Plan.
Program Details and Differences
Yes. You can apply for all housing programs for which your household is eligible.
Yes. HASB inspects every home where people receiving housing assistance live to make sure it meets the Housing Quality Standards.
Yes, after the initial 12-month lease. Housing Choice Vouchers can be used anywhere in the United States. If you have a Housing Choice Voucher and want to move out of the HASB jurisdiction, contact your current Housing Specialist to learn how. Start the process a few months before you want to move.
For the Housing Choice Voucher program, it is up to individual landlords to make decisions regarding pets.
After You Move In
You will pay approximately 30% of your household income towards rent.
Maybe. Your landlord will explain their security deposit requirements before you sign a lease.
Your landlord will explain which utilities they pay and which utilities you will be responsible to pay.
You will be required to show that you remain eligible for housing assistance every year by completing an annual recertification and providing updated documentation that shows your income and assets.
Additional Rental Assistance Resources
rentalassist@realservices.org or 574-284-2061 M – F 8AM – 4:30PM to apply
HASB may review a household’s eligibility for continued participation in its programs through processes called “interim reexaminations” or “annual reexaminations.” During the recertification process, HASB does one or more of the following activities to confirm that the participant continues to meet HASB eligibility requirements.
– Income review, verification, and calculation
– Determination of program requirement compliance status
– Confirmation of household composition to determine the appropriate voucher size
– Recalculation of income and deductions to determine the Total Tenant Payment (TTP)
– Review adherence to HASB’s Family Obligations
Reexamination cycles occur annually and after reported changes occur.
Our HCV Specialists will be available from 8-4:30 EST Monday – Thursday. Appointments must be scheduled in advance at this time.
To turn in documents, please place them in an envelope to your Housing Specialist’s attention and place in the HCV/Section 8 Drop Box in our lobby.
HASB may review a household’s eligibility for continued participation in its programs through processes called “interim reexaminations” or “annual reexaminations.” During the recertification process, HASB does one or more of the following activities to confirm that the participant continues to meet HASB eligibility requirements.
– Income review, verification, and calculation
– Determination of program requirement compliance status
– Confirmation of household composition to determine the appropriate voucher size
– Recalculation of income and deductions to determine the Total Tenant Payment (TTP)
– Review adherence to HASB’s Family Obligations
Reexamination cycles occur annually and after reported changes occur.
Our HCV Specialists will be available from 8-4:30 EST Monday – Thursday. Appointments must be scheduled in advance at this time.
To turn in documents, please place them in an envelope to your Housing Specialist’s attention and place in the HCV/Section 8 Drop Box in our lobby.
Participants are responsible for reporting any changes, including changes in income and family composition, to the HASB within 10 business days. Please complete a Program Update Sheet.
To request an elective move, please complete a Request to Transfer form. You must also supply a copy of your 30-day notice to vacate given to your housing provider, a letter of good standing from your current housing provider, and 30-day verification of income.
To request a Reasonable Accommodation, please complete the Request for Reasonable Accommodation form. This must be turned in with your doctor’s certification statement (also available for download).
Participants are responsible for reporting any changes, including changes in income and family composition, to the HASB within 10 business days. Please complete a Program Update Sheet.
To request an elective move, please complete a Request to Transfer form. You must also supply a copy of your 30-day notice to vacate given to your housing provider, a letter of good standing from your current housing provider, and 30-day verification of income.
To request a Reasonable Accommodation, please complete the Request for Reasonable Accommodation form. This must be turned in with your doctor’s certification statement (also available for download).
You may move to a new unit with continued assistance in any of the following circumstances:
– The lease gives the family the right to terminate the lease on notice to the owner, and the family has given a notice of termination to the owner in accordance with the lease. If the family does terminate the lease on notice to the owner, the family must give HASB a copy of the notice at the same time.
– The family has complied with all other obligations of the HCV Program and has moved out of the assisted dwelling unit in order to protect the health or safety of an individual who is or has been a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking and who reasonably believed he or she was imminently threatened by harm from further violence if he or she remained in the assisted dwelling unit.
– The lease for the family’s unit has been terminated by mutual agreement of the owner and the family. If the family and the owner mutually agree to terminate the lease for the family’s unit, the family must give the HASB a copy of the termination agreement.
– The owner has given the family a notice to vacate, has commenced an action to evict the family, or has obtained a court judgment or other process allowing the owner to evict the family. The family must give HASB a copy of any owner eviction notice.
– HASB has terminated the assisted lease for the family’s unit for the owner’s breach.
– HASB determines that the family’s current unit does not meet the Housing Quality Standards space standards because of an increase in family size or a change in family composition. In such cases, HASB will issue the family a new voucher, and the family must find an acceptable unit.
If you wish to move to a new unit, you must notify HASB and the owner before moving out of the old unit or terminating the lease on notice to the owner.
You must notify HASB of your intent to move by completing the Transfer Request form and returning it to your Housing Choice Voucher Specialist. Your Specialist will review your Request to Transfer and approve or disapprove of your elective move.
An eligible household that has been issued a Housing Choice Voucher may use that voucher to lease a unit anywhere in the United States where there is a housing agency operating a Housing Choice Voucher program. This feature of the program is referred to as portability. (Note: HASB requires new applicants to use their vouchers in HASB’s jurisdiction during the first year of program participation. To promote stability and quality of life, Participants and their households must remain in their current unit for a minimum of 12 months to be eligible for an elective move). Your Request to Transfer must be approved by your Housing Specialist prior to the elective move.
To be considered eligible to port into HASB’s jurisdiction, Port Applicants must:
– Meet all HASB eligibility requirements;
– Receive approval from the Initial Public Housing Authority;
– Ensure that a complete inbound Port Package is received from the Initial PHA;
– Meet the HASB program requirements as applicable
If any of the above requirements are not met, HASB will return the port package to the initial PHA, and no further processing will occur. Please note: Effective 3/1/2024, the HASB is billing for port-in families.
Outbound Ports are households that request to move to a property located outside of HASB’s jurisdiction. Participants are not eligible to port out before their annual recertification date.
To be considered eligible to port out of HASB’s jurisdiction, the Participant must:
– Have met all terms and conditions of the rental lease agreement and have continuously complied with all household obligations under the HCV program
– Submit a Request for Transfer form
– Provide updated income verifications
– Provide a letter of good standing from the current landlord
Documents must be turned in to your Housing Choice Voucher Specialist for review and consideration.
All Portability Packages, 58/65s, and Inquiries should be emailed to Portability@SBHAonline.com. Thank you!
Your financial help for a place to live is based on all the things you reported in your application.
It is very important that you get to know the requirements of the Housing Choice Voucher Program. The briefing packet provided when you first received assistance has important detailed information.
The Voucher Holder FAQs answer questions with up-to-date information about your rights, responsibilities, and opportunities while receiving financial support through HASB.
Learn more about how to keep your financial assistance and stay in your home.
Following the rules of your lease
Updating HASB about all household and income changes
Using our published forms to report new information
Rent and Utilities
How much rent does HASB pay? What is the “payment standard”?
HASB’s voucher payment standards set the maximum amount the agency will pay each month to help a voucher holder with rent. HASB’s payment standards are based on current average market rents for the area and the number of bedrooms in the unit. You will receive a notice that states your portion of the rent. Current participants may contact their Housing Choice Voucher Specialist for more information.
Please refer to your lease, and, if you have any further questions, please contact a Housing Specialist.
I have a disability and need an accommodation to fully participate in the housing program. What do I do?
Please review our reasonable accommodation information. You may also contact your Housing Specialist to discuss your needs.
You must immediately notify HASB, in writing, when there is any change to your household income or assets, or adjustments to income, or when there is a change in the number of people living in your household. This must be reported within 10 days of the change.
Download the form you need from the Forms and Documents page. Paper forms are located in the lobby of our Administration Building.
Fill out the form and return it to HASB. If you report an income change or a new household member, your Housing Specialist will require additional documentation.
Once your verifications for the change are received, if eligible, the change will be made. This process may take approximately 30 days. Please contact your Housing Specialist if it has been more than 30 days and you have not received notice of the change being processed.
Once your verifications have been provided, we will calculate the change in rent amount for which you are eligible. Once this is done, you will receive a written notification in the mail with your new rent portion and when it begins. This process may take approximately 30 days. Please contact your Housing Specialist if it has been more than 30 days and you have not received notice of the change being processed.
There are two steps to add someone to your household.
1. Complete a Request to Add/Remove a Member of the Household form and submit it to HASB. All adults must pass HASB’s screening criteria before they move in.
2. Turn in all verifications requested by the HASB in order to determine continued eligibility.
If you have questions, please contact your Housing Specialist.
If your guest visits more than fourteen (14) days and/or nights in a forty-five (45) day period (whether they visit multiple times or all at once) without prior written approval by HASB, you can be considered allowing an unauthorized occupant.
Please contact your Housing Specialist to discuss your moving options. You will be asked to provide documentation of your situation.
Notice must be received by HASB no less than 30 days before the end of the month you want to vacate (example: if you want to move 9/30, give written notice by 9/1 stating you are moving out 9/30).
No, we do not, but you may want to call 2-1-1 to see if there are community resources that can assist you.
Please contact your Housing Specialist to discuss your moving options. You will be asked to provide documentation of your situation.
Call 9-1-1 if you are in an emergency situation. Call The Family Justice Center 24-hour Crisis Line at 574-289-HELP (4357). They will be able to assist you with confidential assessments and direct referrals to community resources. You may also contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.
Please contact a Housing Specialist. You will be asked to fill out a certification form.
HASB’s property owner partners play an integral part in the agency’s efforts to provide affordable housing to South Bend residents.
HASB’s property owner partners play an integral part in the agency’s efforts to provide affordable housing to South Bend residents.
Inspections are conducted at least bi-annually. In order to continue receiving assistance through the HCV Program, participants must allow a Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection to take place. Inspections are also conducted any time the family moves units. Questions regarding the inspection process can be directed to the HCV Inspector.
Common Reasons Units Fail HQS Inspections:
•Smoke alarms are missing or not functioning.
•Required ground fault interrupters not present.
•Outlet covers are missing or broken.
•Windows are broken, or locks are missing.
•Secure railings are absent around a porch or balcony that is 30” or more above the ground.
Phone number to contact Inspection Department (574-968-0226).
An initial inspection is scheduled after a signed RFTA (Request for Tenancy Approval) packet is received. The Inspection Department will contact the Property Owner to schedule the inspection. If the Property Owner is unable to schedule the appointment after two attempts have been made by the Inspection Department, the RFTA will be cancelled, and the participant will receive new moving papers. The initial inspection can only be scheduled between the Landlord and HASB, but tenants are welcome to attend the inspection.
HASB notifies Landlords of any deficiencies within 24-48 hours after the initial inspection. The Landlord must address the issues, and contact HASB within 10 business days from the date of the failed inspection to schedule a re-inspection. If a re-inspection is not scheduled within the allotted time, the process will terminate, and HASB will issue participant new moving papers.
HASB conducts re-inspections to ensure HQS repairs have been done. The Landlord must notify HASB of repairs that have been completed when the repairs are the Landlord’s responsibility. HAP will be withheld if repairs and re-inspection have not been completed within 10 business days. If repairs are the responsibility of the participant, and are not completed during allotted time, HASB will begin the termination process. If the unit is not accessible to HASB in order to perform the re-inspection, it will be considered a violation of the Family Obligations and the termination process will begin. The Landlord or landlord representative must always participate in re-inspections.
If additional re-inspections are needed, the Landlord is required to pay a $50 re-inspection fee to HASB. This may be done via check or money order to the HASB. Payment may be delivered or mailed to our Administrative Offices. Payment must be received prior to the rescheduling of inspection. PLEASE NOTE: Please put property address in the memo line so the payment is correctly attributed to your property.
HASB will notify the participant of the annual inspection appointment. An adult household member must be present during the annual inspection. If an adult cannot be present during the inspection, the participant can reschedule the inspection for up to seven days from the original appointment. HASB will automatically schedule a new appointment if an adult member of the household fails to attend the scheduled or rescheduled appointment. If an adult representative of the household, approved by HASB fails to attend two scheduled inspections the participant family will be considered to be in violation of the Family Obligations and the termination process will begin.
If the unit fails an inspection, the Landlord and/or participant must make the necessary repairs within 10 business days. If the necessary repairs are not done within the time allotted, and the Landlord is responsible for the repairs, the Housing Assistance Payment will be withheld until the unit passes inspection. If the participant is responsible for the repairs, HASB will begin the termination process. (Note: For failed inspections due to utilities turned off, participants have 24 hours to show proof of reinstatement
Complaint inspections will be scheduled according to the Inspection Department’s availability, and the urgency of the complaint. HASB encourages Landlords to be present during a complaint inspection.
