Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8 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. Voucher recipients are able to choose their own apartment as long as it passes HQS inspection and passes affordability checks.

Geneva Housing Authority is the local administrator for the Housing Choice Voucher Program in both Ontario and Wayne counties. Click on the appropriate application link below.

Additionally, the Housing Choice Voucher Program has a homeownership component.

The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) homeownership program allows families that are assisted under the HCV program to use their voucher to buy a home and receive monthly assistance in meeting homeownership expenses.

The HCV homeownership program is available only to families that have been admitted to the HCV program. To participate in the HCV homeownership program, the HCV family must meet specific income and employment requirements (the employment requirement does not apply to elderly and disabled families), be a first-time homeowner as defined in the regulation, attend and satisfactorily complete the pre-assistance homeownership and housing counseling program required by the Housing Authority, and meet any additional eligibility requirements set by the Housing Authority.

  • General FAQ
    • How do I apply?

      You can call our office 315-789-8010 and request an application by mail, or stop in at 41 Lewis St, Geneva NY and pick one up.

    • What are your hours?

      We are open Monday – Friday from 9:30am – 4:00pm.

    • I am homeless. Do you provide emergency housing?

      The GHA does not provide emergency housing. However, we encourage you to fill out an application for Section 8 or Public Housing so that we can get you onto the waiting list as quickly as possible.

    • What is the difference between Section 8 and Public Housing?

      For Public Housing, GHA is the landlord and the assistance is directly tied to the unit.

      For Section 8, Vouchers are issued for you to find a private landlord. Please see the Section 8 FAQs for more details.

    • Do you pay for the security deposit or moving expenses?

      No. These are the responsibility of the tenant.

    • I am on the waiting list and have a change of information; do I need to report it?

      Yes, it is very important that you let us know of any updated information while your name is on the waiting list. If we are unable to contact you by mail when your name comes to the top of the list, you will be removed from the waiting list and would have to reapply. THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST OR MISDIRECTED MAIL.

    • What happens after I complete an application?

      Once eligibility has been determined, you will be placed on a waiting list according to date and time of your application, and any preference(s) that may apply. As soon as there is an opening and your name is next on the list, you will be notified in writing. Please keep in mind that the waiting list can be quite long for all programs.

  • Section 8 FAQs
    • How do I apply for Section 8?

      You can click on the applications link on the home page of our website. There you will find our applications which you will then need to print, fill out completely and sign them. Then you may drop them off or mail them to our main office; 41 Lewis St PO BOX 153 Geneva NY 14456; or you may also call and request that an application be mailed to you.

    • What happens after I submit my application?

      Each application is stamped with the date and time as soon as it is received in the GHA office. It is then reviewed to determine eligibility. A preliminary eligibility determination is made, based on the total annual income and household size. Eligible applications are placed on the waiting list in the order that they are received. A letter is sent to the applicant to notify them of whether or not they are eligible.

    • Why does my application have to go on a waiting list?

      The Geneva Housing Authority is given a limited number of vouchers to issue and is not allowed to issue more than that number. We do not have enough vouchers to issue to everyone who needs them, so applications are placed on the waiting list until there is a voucher available.

    • What are the income limits for Section 8?

      Go to our Applications page and click on the size of household you have (how many persons) to view whether you qualify or not for each of our properties.

    • What if you tell me my household is not eligible and I don't agree?

      There is a review process for ineligible applicants. If your eligibility letter tells you that you are not eligible, it will also tell you how to request a review.

    • How soon will you be able to help me?

      It is not possible to tell you how long it will be before you are contacted with an offer of assistance. Processing of applications generally takes 2 – 3 weeks, and you should receive your eligibility notification within 4 weeks of submitting your application. After that, it will depend on when your application was submitted. Some offers of assistance will go out right away, but on an ongoing basis, it will depend on vouchers becoming available, and position on the waiting list. Our waiting lists have at times been over three years long.

      Click here for more information on the Section 8 Program.

    • How do I port my Housing Choice Voucher to GHA/Ontario County?

      GHA will need to receive your portability information from your current housing agency before we can schedule an appointment to see you. Your current housing agency may send your portability paperwork via mail, fax or email to:

      Geneva Housing Authority
      41 Lewis St PO Box 153
      Geneva NY 14456

      Fax: 315-789-8024

  • Public Housing FAQs
    • What is Public Housing?

      Public housing is a federally funded rental assistance program that is located ONLY in the city of Geneva. Geneva Housing Authority (GHA) is the landlord. Your rental assistance is directly tied to the unit you are assigned and does not transfer if/when you move.

      The total tenant payment is equal to the highest of:

      1. 10% of monthly gross income
      2. 30% of adjusted monthly income
      3. The welfare rent; or
      4. The Minimum Rent, currently set at $50.

      Please note there is a minimum rent requirement in the amount of $50.00

    • Who can apply for Public Housing?

      The GHA accepts applicants from anyone 18 years old and older. Applicants are screened according to HUD and GHA Policy. Applicants will submit to criminal, sex offender, credit, and landlord checks. A home visit will also be conducted as a part of the applicant screening process.

      In addition to the above, the GHA will use HUD’s Enterprise Income Verification (EIV) system to determine if the applicant or any member of the applicant household is currently receiving HUD assistance.

      All applicants MUST disclose if they are currently receiving HUD housing assistance. The GHA will not knowingly assist applicants who will maintain a residence in addition to the GHA Public Housing unit.

    • Do I have to have income in order to be eligible for Public Housing?

      No. You will be required to pay a Security Deposit and pay a minimum rent of $50.00.

    • How do I apply for the Public Housing Program?

      You can click on the applications tab on the home page of our website. There you will find our application which you will then need to print, fill out completely and sign them. Then you may drop them off or mail them to our main office; 41 Lewis St PO BOX 153 Geneva NY 14456; or you may also call our office (315) 789-8010 and request an application be mailed to you.

    • What happens after I submit my application?

      Each application is stamped with the date and time as soon as it is received in the GHA office. It is then reviewed to determine eligibility. A preliminary eligibility determination is made, based on the total annual income and household size. Eligible applications are placed on the waiting list in the order that they are received. A letter is sent to the applicant to notify them of whether or not they are eligible.

    • What are the income guidelines for Public Housing?

      INCOME LIMITS PUBLIC HOUSING EFF:  April 12, 2019

      PERSONS.   GROSS YEARLY INCOME

      1. $42,400
      2. $48,450
      3. $54,500
      4. $60,550
      5. $65,400
      6. $70,250
      7. $75,100
      8. $79,950
    • Can I have pets?

      Yes.  GHA has a Pet Policy that you must comply with.  You are required to pay a $100.00 pet deposit for an approved pet.

    • If I have a maintenance issue, who do I call?

      For maintenance issues, tenants of the public housing program can call their specific site office or the GHA Main office at (315) 789-8010 between the hours of 9:30 AM – 4 PM

      Monday – Friday. For after hour and weekend calls you must call (315) 789-8010 and listen to the prompts for maintenance calls.

      For Police or Fire emergencies please call 911.

    • Where are the Public Housing Units located?

      The Public Housing Program consists of the following: The Scattered Sites which are houses and apartments scattered at various locations throughout the city of Geneva.

  • Geneva Courtyard Apartments
    • What amenities are provided?

      Geneva Courtyard Apartments is a family development located at 10 Goodman Street in Geneva, consisting of 124 townhouse-style units with one to five bedrooms. Onsite amenities include a site office staffed daily Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM – 4 PM, laundry facilities, a Community Room, children’s playground, and ample off-street parking. Washers and dryers are included in each unit. The Boys and Girls Clubs Youth Center and an independently-operated childcare facility are also located on the premises. The Courtyard Apartments Administration Building is a regular stop on the Regional Transit System bus route. The average wait time for an apartment at Geneva Courtyard Apartments varies from 3 months to 2 years, depending on size of apartment and availability.

  • Elmcrest Apartments
    • What amenities are provided?

      The Elmcrest Apartments consists of 75 apartments for households in which the head and/or the spouse/co-head is age 62 or older. There are both one and two bedroom units. On-site amenities include a site office staffed part-time, laundry facilities, a Community Room, computers for resident use, a secure entry system, and ample off-street parking. A stop on the RTS bus route is located at the curb by the entry to the Elmcrest Apartments. The average wait time for an apartment at the Elmcrest Apartments is from 1 month to 3 years, depending on apartment size and availability.

      Click here for more information on the Public Housing Program.

  • Seneca Apartments
    • How much is the rent?

      The rent at the Seneca Apartments is based off of your income.  You can expect your rent to be 30% of your gross income.

    • How long is the waiting list?

      Your time on the wait list is very hard to predict.  There really is no way to tell when your name will come up.

    • What is included with the rent?

      Here at the Seneca you are responsible for paying your electric bill.  Our heat in this building is electric.  Everything else is included with your rent.

    • Where can I get an application?

      You can stop into the main office at 41 Lewis St, and pick up an application, or call 315-789-8010 and ask that one be mailed to you.  You can also print them directly from this website.

Dawn Bedell
Occupancy Supervisor, Section 8
Phone: 315-789-8010
Fax: 315-789-8024
Scattered Site Exterior