Category: Section 8 Current Participants

Participant Rights

Participants in all of MRHA6’s housing assistance programs have certain rights. If you believe your rights have been violated, please contact your Housing Specialist. Below is a list of your rights:

• Living in a unit that is safe, decent and sanitary.
• Protection from unlawful discrimination.
• Holding the property owner liable for damage to the unit caused by landlord negligence.
• Paying only the amount of rent approved by MRHA6.
• Receiving proper move-out notice.
• Protections under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). You must not be denied assistance, terminated from participation, or be evicted from your rental housing because you are or have been a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. *

*If you feel you qualify for VAWA protections, please see the ‘Forms’ page to learn more about how MRHA6 may be able to assist you.

Participant Responsibilities

As a participant in any MRHA6 housing assistance program, you must follow certain rules. Failure to follow these rules may lead to termination of assistance. Below is a partial list of your responsibilities:

• Providing required information for your regularly scheduled reexaminations, and any other relevant housing information.
• Reporting changes to income or household composition within 10 business days.
• Allowing MRHA6 representatives to conduct regularly scheduled inspections.
• Allowing only authorized people to reside in the unit – you cannot lease or sub-lease the unit.
• Complying with the owner’s lease, including paying your portion of the rent.
• Complying with the terms of your voucher and Tenancy Addendum.
• Copying MRHA6 on any notices from or to the property owner, including 3-day pay or quit, eviction, rent adjustments and notice to vacate.

For a complete list of your participant obligations please click here

Voucher Payment Standard

The Voucher Payment Standard (VPS), which is established based on the FMR, is the maximum subsidy MRHA VI can provide toward the contract rent.

MS Regional Housing Authority VI (MRHA6) Payment Standards
Effective December 1, 2021*

Fair Market Rents (FMRs) are set annually by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to determine the value of rental units by bedroom size and amenities within geographic locations.

The following counties make up the Jackson MS Metro Area – Hinds, Rankin, Madison, Copiah.

 

Metro AreaClaiborneHolmesSimpsonWarrenYazoo

 

Utility Allowance Schedule

Utility allowance is an amount deducted from the household’s rent portion when the tenant is responsible for utilities.
To see the current utility allowances below click each option which is applicable.

What is Program Integrity and Fraud

Program integrity is participant compliance with housing program rules. Fraud is the intentional abuse of these rules. MRHA6 is committed to upholding the integrity and effectiveness of its programs and operations, and will investigate every fraud allegation.

How to Report Fraud

To report suspected fraud, you may either:

• Call the Fraud Hotline 601-373-7040. You will be instructed to leave your name and contact information and the Fraud Allegation form will be mailed to you.
• Complete the Fraud Allegation Form and drop it off or mail to MRHA6 attn: Fraud.

We cannot accept or investigate any allegation if you do not provide your name and contact information.

To download a copy of the Fraud Allegation form, click here

What Happens Next

• MRHA6 will determine if the allegation is proper.
• Proper allegations will be investigated.
• Appropriate action will be taken against the participant or owner; which may include termination of assistance or referral to the Hinds County District Attorney’s office.
• Repayment of debts owed.

All allegations are strictly confidential; no one will be provided information about any investigation.

What is Fair Housing and Reasonable Accommodation

Fair Housing provides housing free of discriminatory practices and policies. Reasonable Accommodation allows an otherwise eligible family, which includes a person with a disability, to participate fully in MRHA VI’s housing assistance programs.

MRHA VI has a responsibility to further affirmatively Fair Housing in accordance with State and federal Fair Housing laws. The Coordinator will ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Fair Housing Act as related to MRHA VI’s housing assistance programs. If you believe you are the victim of housing discrimination, contact the MRHA VI’s Coordinator at 601-373-7040.

How to Request a Reasonable Accommodation

• Requests can be submitted to MRHA VI verbally or in writing.

To download a copy of the Reasonable Accommodation Request form, click here

What Happens Next

MRHA VI will:

• Make a determination if the request is reasonable.
• Follow up with a knowledgeable professional to verify if the requested accommodation is necessary.
• Provide written notification of the decision to the tenant.

For More Information

For general information from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) about Fair Housing and Reasonable Accommodation, click here.

For general information from the State of Mississippi on Fair Housing and about Reasonable Accommodation, click here.

What is Portability

Portability is the process that allows an eligible Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) applicant or participant to move anywhere in the United States where there is a housing agency operating the federal HCV program.

Port Out Process

Portability Move Out (Port Out) is when an eligible family moves from MRHA VI’s jurisdiction to another housing authority’s jurisdiction.

If you wish to Port Out, you must contact your Housing Specialist in writing to advise of the request.

• Your Housing Specialist will determine if you are eligible.
• Applicants must have received their voucher and lived in MRHA VI’s jurisdiction when they are pulled from the waiting list.
• Participants must be eligible to receive a voucher to move.
• If eligible, your paperwork will be email, mailed or faxed to the new housing agency.
• Once your paperwork is sent to the new agency, you must follow all their policies and rules.

Port In Process

Portability Move In (Port In) is when an eligible family moves from another city or county into MRHA VI’s jurisdiction.

If you wish to Port In to MRHA VI’s jurisdiction, you must contact your current housing agency.

• Your current housing agency determines if you are eligible to move to MRHA VI’s jurisdiction.
• Portability paperwork can be sent by mail or faxed, see contact information below.
• Once your portability paperwork is received, you will be contacted for an intake appointment.

After your paperwork is processed, you will be invited to a briefing appointment where you will receive your voucher.

MRHA6 is currently ABSORBING all ports at this time.

If you require further information. Please email our Portability Specialist at portability@mrha6.org