Contact Info:
Office of Planning & Program Operations
55 Trinity Avenue
Suite 3500
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
Tel: 404.330.6390
Fax: 404.739.4186
section8housing@atlantaga.gov
Keela Nash, Management Analyst, KNash@atlantaga.gov
The Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation Program (Mod Rehab) is a unit-based rental subsidy program for low and moderately low-income individuals and families. While the Housing Authority administers the program, HUD provides rent subsidy payments to private and nonprofit property owners for rental units rehabilitated under this program. These subsidies provide both rental support to the family as well as funds to service the debt incurred by the property owner for the unit’s rehabilitation. Mod Rehab assistance is not transferable as it is not the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program. We do not have a Housing Choice Voucher program and do not issue nor accept applications for vouchers at any time.Atlanta Housing Authority administers housing vouchers. If you would like to apply for a housing voucher, currently have a voucher, or are considering portability transfer as an option, contact the Atlanta Housing Authority @ (404) 892-4700 to discuss.
Participants in the Mod Rehab program will only receive rental assistance if they live in a Mod Rehab unit. If they move from a Mod Rehab unit, they will lose their assistance. Some Mod Rehab units are set-aside for the elderly, homeless, or disabled.
The City of Atlanta’s Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation Program provides rental subsidies to three (3) project-based facilities. Project-based simply means that all assistance provided remains with the property. It is non-transferable.
The Department of Grants and Community Development currently subsidizes
3 Project-Based Facilities totaling 144 units
1. Santa Fe Villas– 2370 Metropolitan Pkwy, Atlanta, Georgia, 30315. Phone (404) 963-7210.
- SRO (Single Room Occupancy) units - 100 subsidized units.
- Single person per unit only. Utilities are included in the rent. This facility assists homeless individuals with low to moderately low income. Apply in person at the facility or by calling Gateway Center at (404) 215-6600. Approved tenants will be referred to this office for assistance.
2. Vanira VillageApartments– 8 Vanira Avenue #3, Atlanta, Georgia 30315. Phone (404) 228-4685.
- Multi-Family Housing units – 28 subsidized units.
- Families include two or more people. Utilities are not included in the rent. This facility offers housing to families with low to moderately low income. Contact the Property Manager to apply. Approved tenants will be referred to this office for assistance. The amount of utility assistance provided to each tenant varies according to the amount of subsidy the household receives. Subsidies are based on the household size and income; therefore, each award amount is different. Amounts can range from $1.00 - $150.00 monthly. Utility assistance is paid directly to the utility company and no amounts are disbursed to the residents. The residents are given a choice as to which utility service will receive the allowance, electric or gas service.
3. 949-953 Washington Street Apartments– 949-953 Washington Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30315. Phone (404) 946-4488.
- Multi-Family Housing units – 16 subsidized units.
- Families include two or more people. Utilities are not included in the rent. This facility offers housing to families with low to moderately low income. Apply in person at the facility. Approved tenants will be referred to this office for assistance. The amount of utility assistance provided to each tenant varies according to the amount of subsidy the household receives. Subsidies are based on the household size and income; therefore, each award amount is different. Amounts can range from $1.00 - $150.00 monthly. Utility assistance is paid directly to the utility company and no amounts are disbursed to the residents. The residents are given a choice as to which utility service will receive the allowance, electric or gas service.
Income Eligibility:
- The eligible household must qualify as "Very Low Income" which is defined by HUD as 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Family income includes salaries, wages, tips, interest from assets, pensions, social security, assistance from grants, etc. for all members. The following chart provides the current income limits by family size to qualify for assistance:
FY 2022-2023 HUD Income Limits – Published 04-18-2022
Metro Atlanta (AMI) $96,400
- All applicants must pass a criminal history check
- Any applicant whose name appears on the Lifetime Sex Offender List is ineligible.
Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation FAQ’s
Q: What does the City of Atlanta’s Section 8 Program do?
A: City of Atlanta’s Section 8 Program provides affordable housing to low and moderately low-income individuals and families.
Q: Who qualifies for Section 8?
A: Applicants may be single, married, head of household families, disabled, and/or elderly.
Q: How do I apply for Section 8?
A: Section 8 applications are only accepted when the waiting list is open. Contact us at (404) 330-6390 to determine if the waitlist is open.
Q: How much rent would I pay with Section 8?
A: Residents would be required to pay up to 30% of their monthly adjusted income.
Q: How do I qualify for a utility check?
A: When a tenant’s rent amount is less than the utility allowance for a unit, a utility check is granted to the family for the difference.
Q: Who should maintenance issues be reported to?
A: All issues, except for emergencies, should be routed to the property manager as the first line of contact. If not responded to in a timely manner, issues should be submitted in writing to the City of Atlanta.
Q: Are recertifications necessary every year?
A: Yes, the City of Atlanta is required by HUD to review each household's income and family size annually.
Q: Are inspections required every year?
A: Yes, inspections are required annually. Most inspections are conducted within 75-90 days prior to the lease end date.
Q: Can I transfer or move my Section 8?
A: No. The subsidy does not move or transfer with a resident. The subsidy issued by the City of Atlanta is project-based and the Section 8 subsidy remains with the respective property. For as long as you remain a qualified resident within that project, your rent will be subsidized.
Q: Are there any other housing resources available if I don’t qualify?
A: Yes. Contact the Dept. of Grants and Community Development for additional resources @ 404-330-6390 or the Office of Constituent Services @ (404) 330-6026.
FAQs
How do you qualify for Section 8 in Georgia? ›
Determine if You're Eligible
Meet income limits specified by HUD (less than 50% of the median income for the county in which you live). Be a citizen or eligible immigrant. Be 18 years of age or older. Be a resident of the state of Georgia.
Section 8, also called a Housing Choice Voucher, pays all or a part of the rent to private landlords on behalf of low-income households. Under Section 8 you would pay only about 30% of your income in rent. The landlord signs a Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) contract with the housing authority.
Does Atlanta Georgia have Section 8 housing? ›A: City of Atlanta's Section 8 Program provides affordable housing to low and moderately low-income individuals and families.
What disqualifies you from Section 8 in GA? ›In addition to meeting the income limits, Section 8 applicants in Georgia must be U.S. citizens or have eligible immigrant status. Eligible applicants will also need to have clean criminal records and be able to pass a screening process.
What's the most you can make on Section 8? ›| Family Size | 30% of Median Income | 80% of Median Income |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $21,750 | $58,000 |
| 2 | $24,850 | $66,250 |
| 3 | $27,950 | $74,550 |
| 4 | $31,050 | $82,800 |
Buying A House Through Section 8. Though Section 8 Housing is designed to provide rental assistance, qualifying participants can also use the funds to purchase a home. Most families purchase a home and pay the same amount on a mortgage payment as they would to rent a house.
What is considered low income in Georgia? ›| Family/Household Size | Extremely Low 30% | Low Income 80% |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $21,500 | $57,200 |
| 2 | $24,550 | $65,350 |
| 3 | $27,600 | $73,500 |
| 4 | $30,650 | $81,650 |
The Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV), also known as Section 8, is a tenant-based rental assistance program that assists extremely low and low income individuals and families rent safe, decent, and affordable dwelling units in the private rental market.
Can a landlord refuse Section 8 in Georgia? ›Georgia is one of the many states where Section 8 (now called the Housing Choice Voucher) is optional. Rental property owners can decide if they want to offer their property to the Section 8 community.
What can cause you to lose your Section 8 voucher in GA? ›
- Breaking any of the program's family obligations. ...
- Criminal activity or alcohol abuse. ...
- Violent criminal activity,
- Drug-related criminal activity,
- Not paying rent on time,
- Not keeping utilities like gas, electric, or water on in the unit,
Emergency Housing Voucher Program
The Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program is available through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Through EHV, HUD awarded the Georgia Department of Community Affairs a total of 798 vouchers.
Georgia provides programs to help residents in need find safe and affordable housing.
How much is Atlanta housing? ›Housing (Buy and Rent)
The average monthly rent in Atlanta is $1,852, while home prices circle around $489,573.
| Family/Household Size | Extremely Low 30% | Low Income 80% |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $21,500 | $57,200 |
| 2 | $24,550 | $65,350 |
| 3 | $27,600 | $73,500 |
| 4 | $30,650 | $81,650 |
To qualify for Section 8 public housing a felony needs to be at least 5 years old, and it cannot be a disqualifying felony. Disqualifying felonies are typically related to violent crimes, drug trafficking, and sex crimes that would require the felon to register as a sex offender.