RHA Opens Waiting List for the Housing Choice Voucher Program, Formerly Known as Section 8

The Rochester Housing Authority (RHA) is excited to announce the opening of its Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) waiting list, a HUD-funded program, beginning on Thursday, May 23 at 12:00 pm.

“RHA is excited to announce the opening of our Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list!” said RHA Executive Director Shawn Burr. “These vouchers will assist many eligible families and individuals enabling them to live in high-quality, safe, and affordable housing in the five-county region—Monroe, Wayne, Ontario, Orleans, and Livingston—where RHA administers the HCV program.”

A press conference will be held on May 21, 2024 at 3:00 pm at 675 West Main Street, Rochester, NY, 14611 to discuss this important opportunity for our region. RHA will begin accepting ONLINE applications at 12:00 pm on May 23, 2024. Online applications may be placed 24 hours a day and continue until 4:00 pm on June 7, 2024. Interested applicants may apply directly through RHA’s website with the following steps:

• Go to www.rochesterhousing.org

• Click Submit Application button

• Create an account with a current email address and phone number

• Enter application information

• Once completed, applicants will receive confirmation by email and/or text message

• The 4,000 applicants chosen to be placed on the waiting list will be contacted by RHA within 90 days

• Incomplete applications, duplicate applications, applications that falsify information or are fraudulent will NOT be accepted.
  

Applicants are encouraged to have the following information available for all household members: names, dates of birth, social security numbers, income, and assets.  Anyone with a disability requiring a reasonable accommodation to complete the online application should call 585-697-6105. Individuals with a hearing impairment should contact 711 TTY service. RHA anticipates that approximately 20,000 people will apply to the HCV waiting list. From those applicants, RHA will use an AI generated randomizing tool to select 4,000 candidates. Once an applicant reaches the top of the waiting list, they will then be asked for additional eligibility information and will attend a briefing on the program. Those who are not chosen will be notified accordingly. 

The last waiting list opening was in 2019.This announcement is in accordance with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines requiring RHA to notify the public 30 days prior to opening the HCV waiting list. Updated information will continue to be posted on the RHA website: www.rochesterhousing.org