Tempe will open pre-applications for its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program on Feb. 28.
Irma Hollamby Cain, Tempe’s deputy director of community, health and human services, said there are no judgments on eligibility at this point in the process.
“If, for example, you have, maybe, eviction on your record or justice involvement we would encourage you to go ahead and, if you need the assistance, please apply for our waitlist,” Hollamby Cain said.
Hollamby Cain said eligibility is determined later in the program’s process, but those who live or work in Tempe for at least a year will receive preference, along with those who have been terminated from the program previously due to lack of ongoing funding or have been a victim of various types of assault.
The application will be open until March 13. A lottery system will be used to select 3,000 households to offer vouchers.
She said those facilitating Tempe’s program hope to see the program benefit the people it was designed with in mind.
“[This program] is put in place to assist very low-income families, the elderly and disabled to be able to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in our city,” Hollamby Cain said. “We understand there is a lot more need than we have capacity, but we do not want folks who are in need to be deterred from applying for our program and putting their name on our list.”
In Tempe, the average price for a one-bedroom apartment of less than 900 square feet is about $1,900 according to rent comparison website.
Applications will be accepted Feb. 28-Mar. 13.
For general questions beginning Tuesday, Feb. 28, call 480-350-8950 Monday–Friday from 8 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m.
Those needing application assistance or who are without internet access, may call 480-350-8076 or 480-858-2318 Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m.-noon.
