Delaware News

DSHA Launches Landlord Incentive Program to Expand Housing Opportunities for Voucher Holders

Delaware State Housing Authority | Date Posted: Tuesday, October 1, 2024


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Dover, Del. September XX, 2024 – The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) is excited to announce the launch of its new Landlord Incentive Program, designed to enhance housing opportunities for individuals and families holding Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV).

The Delaware State Housing Authority’s HCV program provides housing subsidies to eligible low-income individuals and families to rent existing, privately-owned dwelling units from participating landlords.

This innovative initiative aims to attract, recruit, and retain landlords in Kent and Sussex Counties, ultimately increasing the number of rental units available to voucher holders. Key features of the Landlord Incentive Program include:

  • Sign on bonus: A $1,000 financial incentive for landlords who sign a Housing Assistance Payment Contract (HAP) to participate in the program. Landlords will receive an additional payment of $500 for each new unit brought into the HCV program, with a cap of five (5) units per landlord. 
  • Security deposit assistance: Support to help mitigate upfront costs for landlords. The incentive payment will be paid directly to the landlord after the HAP contract is executed, along with the first month’s rent.
  • Damage claim payments: Assurance that landlords can recover costs for damages to the unit beyond normal wear and tear. Landlords who provide proper documentation and proof of damages – who lease again to different voucher holder on the DSHA waiting list – are eligible for damage payments. DSHA will reimburse the lessor for repairs OR one (1) month’s contract rent (minus security deposit).
  • Vacancy loss payments: Up to (1) month’s contract rent while their property is vacant and awaiting housing of another voucher holder. Project-based landlords may receive (2) additional payments.

The Landlord Incentive Program focuses on fostering better relationships with landlords, enhancing their satisfaction, and increasing the lease-up success rates for vouchers issued. Funding for the Landlord Incentives Program is provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Ultimately, DSHA aims to attract more landlords to rent to those with vouchers, creating more opportunities for affordable housing in our state.

“Our agency administers 902 vouchers to residents in Kent and Sussex Counties. Currently, there are not enough rental units available to meet that need,” said Cynthia Karnai, DSHA Director. “We recognize the crucial role that landlords play in providing housing options for our HCV participants and are committed to improving landlords’ overall experience with the program while increasing the HCV utilization rate across Delaware.”

Landlords interested in learning more about the program or who have questions can contact Crystal Sparks via email at Crystal.Sparks@delaware.gov or by phone at 302-739-7416.

For more information about the Delaware State Housing Authority and its programs, please visit https://www.destatehousing.com/partner/landlords/.

 

About Delaware State Housing Authority

The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA), formed in 1968, provides quality, affordable housing opportunities and appropriate supportive services to low- and moderate-income Delawareans. In addition to its role as the State’s Housing Finance Agency, DSHA is unique in that it serves as a Public Housing Authority and a Community Development Agency. As a Public Housing Authority, DSHA receives funding from HUD to build, own, and operate public housing in Kent and Sussex counties, two of Delaware’s three counties. For more information about DSHA, please call (302) 739-4263 or visit destatehousing.com

 

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DSHA Launches Landlord Incentive Program to Expand Housing Opportunities for Voucher Holders

Delaware State Housing Authority | Date Posted: Tuesday, October 1, 2024


dsha logo blue transparent

Dover, Del. September XX, 2024 – The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) is excited to announce the launch of its new Landlord Incentive Program, designed to enhance housing opportunities for individuals and families holding Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV).

The Delaware State Housing Authority’s HCV program provides housing subsidies to eligible low-income individuals and families to rent existing, privately-owned dwelling units from participating landlords.

This innovative initiative aims to attract, recruit, and retain landlords in Kent and Sussex Counties, ultimately increasing the number of rental units available to voucher holders. Key features of the Landlord Incentive Program include:

  • Sign on bonus: A $1,000 financial incentive for landlords who sign a Housing Assistance Payment Contract (HAP) to participate in the program. Landlords will receive an additional payment of $500 for each new unit brought into the HCV program, with a cap of five (5) units per landlord. 
  • Security deposit assistance: Support to help mitigate upfront costs for landlords. The incentive payment will be paid directly to the landlord after the HAP contract is executed, along with the first month’s rent.
  • Damage claim payments: Assurance that landlords can recover costs for damages to the unit beyond normal wear and tear. Landlords who provide proper documentation and proof of damages – who lease again to different voucher holder on the DSHA waiting list – are eligible for damage payments. DSHA will reimburse the lessor for repairs OR one (1) month’s contract rent (minus security deposit).
  • Vacancy loss payments: Up to (1) month’s contract rent while their property is vacant and awaiting housing of another voucher holder. Project-based landlords may receive (2) additional payments.

The Landlord Incentive Program focuses on fostering better relationships with landlords, enhancing their satisfaction, and increasing the lease-up success rates for vouchers issued. Funding for the Landlord Incentives Program is provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Ultimately, DSHA aims to attract more landlords to rent to those with vouchers, creating more opportunities for affordable housing in our state.

“Our agency administers 902 vouchers to residents in Kent and Sussex Counties. Currently, there are not enough rental units available to meet that need,” said Cynthia Karnai, DSHA Director. “We recognize the crucial role that landlords play in providing housing options for our HCV participants and are committed to improving landlords’ overall experience with the program while increasing the HCV utilization rate across Delaware.”

Landlords interested in learning more about the program or who have questions can contact Crystal Sparks via email at Crystal.Sparks@delaware.gov or by phone at 302-739-7416.

For more information about the Delaware State Housing Authority and its programs, please visit https://www.destatehousing.com/partner/landlords/.

 

About Delaware State Housing Authority

The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA), formed in 1968, provides quality, affordable housing opportunities and appropriate supportive services to low- and moderate-income Delawareans. In addition to its role as the State’s Housing Finance Agency, DSHA is unique in that it serves as a Public Housing Authority and a Community Development Agency. As a Public Housing Authority, DSHA receives funding from HUD to build, own, and operate public housing in Kent and Sussex counties, two of Delaware’s three counties. For more information about DSHA, please call (302) 739-4263 or visit destatehousing.com

 

image_printPrint

Related Topics:  ,


Graphic that represents delaware news on a mobile phone

Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.

Here you can subscribe to future news updates.