Requirements and Process

Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program and Project Based Vouchers (PBV)

Previously referred to as the “Section 8” program, HCV provides housing assistance in the form of vouchers to families to be utilized with any participating landlord in our city limits. “Special Programs” include voucher programs for certain target groups, such as veterans.

APPLY FOR a VOUCHER

You can apply for the HCV voucher program through our online portal by clicking the "Apply for Housing Voucher"  icon on our home page. The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program (previously known as “Section 8”) is currently closed but does open periodically.  Available programs accepting applications may be viewed upon registering on the applicant portal. 

You must have a valid email address & phone number to be able to register through our application portal.

You may submit an pre-application for any wait list that is currently open, although some waiting lists will require you to meet certain criteria to qualify for assistance.

Wait times for assistance can range from two to four years.

At this time, HOME does not offer emergency shelter. Organizations outside of HOME offer immediate assistance for anyone experiencing homelessness or domestic violence.

AFTER YOU REGISTER & APPLY

When your pre-application reaches the top of the waitlist, you will be notified by mail. After applying and your application is active, you are required to update any changes in your name, address, phone number, email address, income, and family size through your online portal account so we can have the most current contact information.

HOME will not forward returned mail, including appointment letters and inspection notices.

What this means, is if we do not have your most current information at the time we mail out your admissions appointment letter, you will not be able to continue and your application will be withdrawn; you will be removed from the waitlist and you will need to reapply.

FINAL APPLICATION & SCREENING PROCESS

When an applicant’s name reaches the top of the waitlist, they will receive a letter with instructions on how to begin the eligibility process. Information provided to HOME by the applicant will be verified for accuracy and eligibility. At that time, you will need to provide required documents detailed in your letter of instructions.  

ORIENTATION

As part of the eligibility process, applicants are required to attend an orientation before receiving housing assistance. The orientation will serve to educate families on program rules and expectations, how to be a successful program participant, tips on navigating program procedures and more.

PROJECT-BASED VOUCHERS

Similar to the Housing Choice Voucher Program, the Project-Based Voucher (PBV) program provides rental assistance to eligible, low-income families at an assigned, privately-owned unit under the Project Based Voucher Program. 

Tenants pay 30% of their income for rent and utilities.  HOME enters into a long-term Housing Assistance Payments contract with the property owner to pay the remaining rent balance on behalf of the family.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Application Process

All applications for the Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher Programs are accepted through our online pre-application system. Registering and submitting the pre-application is the first step toward receiving subsidized housing assistance.
Applicants will need to include the following information in their pre-application:
  1. Name
  2. Mailing address
  3. Dates of birth and social security numbers for each family member on the lease
  4. Gross annual income
  5. Driver’s license or State ID numbers for all family members

Once all of the fields are filled out, click the “Submit Application” tab to automatically upload your application to the waitlist. Your place on the waitlist is based on the date and time of the submission of this pre-application. If any required fields are omitted or incorrectly filled out, a red message will appear informing applicants where the error has occurred. Applicants should print or record the confirmation number for their records.

Once the pre-application form is submitted, applicants will eventually receive an appointment with an admissions counselor to determine your eligibility based on your income level and other considerations.  Due to high demand and fluctuating levels of federal funding, it typically takes two to four years to receive approval to enter our public housing communities

Housing & Assistance Programs

As the 14th largest public housing authority in the United States, HOME takes great pride in offering a variety of programs that provide safe, decent, and affordable housing coupled with award-winning programs that provide opportunities and incentives for our families to graduate from subsidized housing into economically-independent lifestyles.

There is a great demand for housing assistance in El Paso and to address this need, HOME has developed one of the largest and most comprehensive affordable housing programs in the country. HOME typically has a waiting period of two to four years before applicants may receive program assistance. In order to qualify, residents must earn less than 80 percent of the area median income, which is about $39,000 per year for a family of four. However, most of our clients are considered to be in the extremely low income bracket by earning less than 30 percent of the area median income.  For that same family of four, that is about $15,000 per year. See the descriptions below and learn about the prerequisites to qualify and the populations they serve.

There are several housing rental assistance programs available within the following income limits:
  • Less than 50 percent of area median income
  • Between 50 to 60 percent of area median income
  • Between 50 to 80 percent of area median income (limited number based on availability)
  • Click here to see Income Limits