- What is the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP)?
Gary Housing Authority's (GHA) Housing Choice Voucher Program, commonly known as Section 8, provides eligible low-income households ("Participants") with opportunities to live in rental homes owned by private property owners. Participants choose where they want to live, as long as the unit is 1) approved by GHA through an inspection and 2) it is determined that the rent is reasonable and affordable for the family. GHA pays a portion of the contracted rent in the form of a housing assistance payment (HAP) to the landlord on behalf of the Participant. The HAP is based on 30% of the household's monthly adjusted income or the monthly minimum rent requirement of $50, whichever is greater (unless the Participant is otherwise exempt from the minimum rent requirement of $50). The Participant pays the rest of the rent and utilities.
- When is GHA opening its Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program Waiting List?
GHA opens its HCV Waiting List as often as needed when funding is available to provide assistance to additional low-income families.
GHA is opening its Housing Choice Voucher Program Waiting List from 9:00 a.m., May 22, 2017, until 4:00 p.m. CT, May 28, 2017 online only through garyhousing.hcvlist.org.
- Is there a cost to submit a HCV Waiting List pre-application?
No. There is no cost to submit a pre-application. GHA will never ask for your debit or credit card or any other form of payment to submit a pre-application for its services. Additionally, please do not provide personal information to anyone claiming he or she can guarantee a spot on the Waiting List, improve your chances of selection for the HCV Waiting List, or ensure that you will receive any GHA benefits.
- If I am already on a waiting list for another housing authority, can I still apply?
Yes, even if you have already applied for public housing or another housing authority's HCV program, you may still apply to the GHA HCV waiting list.
- Who can apply for the HCV Waiting List?
Anyone who is 18 years of age or older, or who is an emancipated minor in accordance with Indiana law may apply as long as the family's household income is below the current 50% income limit for Lake County.
Lake County HCV Program 50% Income Limits - Fiscal Year 2017
| Persons in Family | Income Limit |
| 1 | $22,750 |
| 2 | $26,000 |
| 3 | $29,250 |
| 4 | $32,450 |
| 5 | $35,050 |
| 6 | $37,650 |
| 7 | $40,250 |
| 8 | $42,850 |
| 9 | $45,450 |
| 10 | $48,050 |
| 11 | $50,650 |
| 12 | $53,250 |
| 13 | $55,850 |
| 14 | $58,450 |
| 15 | $61,050 |
- How can I apply for the HCV Waiting List?
You must submit a pre-application online at garyhousing.hcvlist.org during the Waiting List opening from 9:00 a.m., May 22, 2017, through 4:00 p.m. CT, May 28, 2017. The pre-application - which requires your name, date of birth, mailing address, email address, household income, and number of household members - must be submitted online using a computer, smartphone, tablet or other electronic device with Internet access. Applicants should have a valid e-mail address to apply. If you do not have Internet access, you may submit the pre-application online at locations throughout the city that offer free use of their computers, such as Gary, Lake County, and Hammond Public Libraries.
Pre-applications will NOT be provided or accepted at any GHA location. Internet access is not available for submitting a pre-application at any GHA location.
If you require assistance in completing a pre-application because of a disability, required language translation services or need for a specific communication format, you may call (219) 390-9115 (local) or (888) 393-3263 (toll free) 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., every day during the application period. Individuals with hearing or speech disabilities using TDD or TTY technology may call Indiana Relay Services by dialing 7-1-1 for assistance.
- What if I do not have an e-mail address?
There are many online providers that offer free e-mail accounts, such as gmail.com, yahoo.com, and hotmail.com.
The Gary Public Library System, Hammond Public Library, and WorkOne-Gary are offering workshops to assist in setting up an email account. Spots are limited, and you must register in advance in order to attend.
Gary Public Library System:
Telephone number for registration: 219-886-2484 ext. 358
Workshop dates, times and location: May 16, 2017 at 10:00am at the Woodson Branch location; and May 18, 2017 at 12:00pm at the Kennedy Branch location
Hammond Public Library:
Telephone number for registration: 219-931-5100 ext.331
Workshop Location: 564 State Street, Hammond, IN 46320
Workshop date and time: May 16, 2017 at 2:00pm
*Information Services staff are also able to assist setting up email accounts during library hours*
WorkOne - Gary:
Telephone number for registration: 219-981-1520
Workshop Location: 3522 Village Court (Old Village Shopping Ctr), Gary, IN, 46408
Workshop dates and times: May 15, 2017 at 10:00am, May 22, 2017 at 3:00pm, & May 24, 2017 at 12:00pm
- Does the Gary Housing Authority have any waiting list preferences?
A preference for assistance will be given to applicants who live or work within the jurisdiction of the Gary Housing Authority Housing Choice Voucher Program, and applicants who are elderly (62+) and/or disabled.
The jurisdiction of the Gary Housing Authority Housing Choice Voucher Program is the legal boundaries of the City of Gary and any community within five miles of the city boundaries.
- How many pre-applications may I submit?
Only one pre-application per household may be submitted.
- Can more than one person in my household submit a pre-application for the HCV Waiting List?
No. Only one application may be submitted per household.
- What are the eligibility requirements for an applicant to be admitted into the Housing Choice Voucher Program?
If selected for the HCV Waiting List, you must meet all GHA HCV Program eligibility requirements. All information will be verified to determine eligibility at the time an applicant is pulled from the HCV Waiting List.
- What happens after I submit the pre-application?
First, you will receive an email confirming that your pre-application was successfully submitted. If you submit a pre-application but do NOT receive the email confirmation, log on to garyhousing.hcvlist.org to access your confirmation information.
At the end of the application period, GHA will use a randomized, computer selection that gives preference first to those that qualify for the GHA waiting list preferences, up to 5,000 applicants. If these selections do not result in a waiting list of 5,000 applicants, GHA will use a randomized, computer selection to select applicants from among those that do not meet the GHA waiting list preferences until a total list of 5,000 is established.
By July 1, 2017, all applicants will receive an email and a letter via U.S. Mail to inform them whether or not they were selected for the official HCV Waiting List. Applicants may also log onto garyhousing.hcvlist.org to check on their status, after this date. GHA may not have information regarding your status prior to this date.
- Can I change my income and asset information after I submit my pre-application?
If you need to change your information on the submitted pre-application, please call the call center at (219) 390-9115 (local) or (888) 393-3263 (toll free).
Once the pre-application period closes, you cannot change any income or asset information on the pre-application.
Submission of a pre-application provides a chance for applicants to be selected for the HCV Waiting List.
Applicants who require assistance in completing a pre-application because of a disability, or they require language translation services or communication in an alternate format, or for other reasons, may call the GHA call center at (219) 390-9115 (local) or (888) 393-3263 (toll free) where staff are available to assist from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., every day during the application period. Applicants with hearing or speech disabilities using TDD or TTY technology may call Indiana Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 for assistance.
