Welcome to the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program! As a participant, you are part of a program that helps eligible households afford safe, decent, and sanitary housing in the private rental market.

Your Responsibilities as a Participant

As a participant in the HCV Program, you are responsible for:

• Paying your portion of the rent on time each month.
• Complying with the terms of your lease and program requirements.
• Reporting any changes in household income, composition, or contact information within 10 business days.
• Keeping your unit in good condition and notifying your landlord of necessary repairs.
• Allowing access for required inspections.

Housing Kitsap Responsibilities

Housing Kitsap will:

• Pay housing assistance payments (HAP) directly to your landlord each month.
• Conduct periodic inspections to ensure your unit meets HUD’s National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE).
• Re-examine your household income and eligibility annually (known as recertification).
• Provide ongoing support and guidance during your participation in the program.

Annual Recertification

Each year, we will contact you to update your household information and verify your income and assets. This helps determine your continued eligibility and updated rent portion. Please respond promptly to all requests to avoid disruption of assistance.

Interim Changes

If your household experiences any of the following, you must notify us in writing within 10 business days:

• A change in income or employment
• A household member moving in or out
• A change in childcare, medical, or disability expenses

Failure to report changes may result in overpayment, underpayment, or termination of assistance.

Inspections

Your home must meet HUD’s NSPIRE. Inspections typically occur:

• Before move-in
• Biennially
• When there is a complaint or reported issue

We’ll notify you and your landlord in advance of scheduled inspections.

Portability

If you wish to move to another jurisdiction with your voucher (porting out), you must:

• Submit a written request to your Housing Specialist
• Be in good standing with the program
• Attend a portability briefing before moving

Moving or Ending Assistance

If you intend to move:

• You must provide proper written notice to your landlord and the Housing Authority
• You must fulfill lease terms and not have any lease violations

If you no longer need assistance, please contact us to formally exit the program.

Stay Connected

Make sure we always have your current mailing address, phone number, and email. Missing important communications can impact your assistance