Housing Choice Voucher Section 8 Program
The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program provides housing assistance for very low-income families, the elderly and the disabled, allowing them to live in safe, quality affordable 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 or apartments in neighborhoods of their choice. Participants are free to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program and are not limited to units located in subsidized housing projects.
A family that is issued a voucher is responsible for finding a suitable unit where the owner agrees to rent under the HCV program. The suitable unit may even 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 AMHA on behalf of the participating family. The family then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord approved by PHA and the amount subsidized by the program. For more information regarding the HCV Section 8 Program, please visit our Housing Choice Voucher Section 8 Program section.
Single Room Occupancy (SRO)
Single Room Occupancy (SRO) is a program in which single, homeless males are eligible to apply to live in the Lima YMCA Annex in a dormitory style setting. Interested parties must receive a referral form from AMHA and then may apply at the YMCA Annex for this waiting list. The SRO waiting list is always open. For more information regarding this program, please visit our Other Programs section.
The Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) and Section 8 Homeownership Programs
are special programs available to current HCV Section 8 participants. Please visit our Other Programs section for more information regarding these beneficial programs developed to help our clients achieve self-sufficiency and work toward homeownership.
Public Housing Program
Public Housing in Lima, Ohio, is a program managed and owned by AMHA, a federally funded organization designed to benefit eligible low-income families, seniors and persons with disabilities. AMHA administers the public housing program via various properties we own and operate. Public Housing consists of 207 mostly single family scattered sites throughout Lima and Allen County. In addition, there are 40 one bedroom apartments at our Furl Williams complex available for elderly and disabled applicants.
According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), there are approximately 1.3 million households living in “public housing,” which is managed by some 3,300 Housing Authorities across the U.S.
To apply for public housing you must fill out an application, which will place you on the wait list. When you reach the top of the wait list, you will be contacted by the Intake Department for screening. All applicants must successfully pass the screening process in order to be approved for housing. For more information regarding the AMHA Public Housing Program, please visit our Public Housing Program section.
Shelter Plus Care Vouchers
This grant-funded permanent supportive housing (PSH) program serves individuals or small households in Allen, Auglaize, and Hardin counties. Eligible candidates contain at least one disabled member and are literally homeless (for example, in a shelter or place not meant for habitation). Intake is part of a coordinated entry process with designated access points at Samaritan House and WOCAP. There is no waiting list for Shelter Plus Care Vouchers.
