Vermont State Housing Authority

The Vermont State Housing Authority provides rental assistance to help eligible families live in safe and decent housing of their choice. With funding provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and administered by local public housing authorities, as well as VSHA, this program utilizes privately owned existing housing stock. Families, elderly, disabled and single people whose income falls within the income guidelines qualify for this program. After a person applies and is determined eligible, they are placed on a waiting list until funds become available to assist them. When funding becomes available, a certificate or voucher is issued. A voucher is the written guarantee of VSHA to the tenant or prospective landlord that the voucher holder is eligible for participation in the program. The voucher is used by the holder in locating a house or apartment of his/her choosing. The voucher sets forth the bedroom size the family needs and outlines the family's obligations under the program and the period of time the family has to locate suitable housing. VSHA also administers a Project-Based Voucher and Moderate Rehabilitation program. Both of these programs are project specific housing rather than open market. Tenants are selected from the existing waiting list, owners and/or managers determine suitability and VSHA determines eligibility for participation in the program. The subsidy is attached to the UNIT and NOT to the family. Therefore, if a family vacates a Project-Based Voucher or Moderate Rehabilitation unit and still wishes to have a subsidy, they must reapply under a different program.