2023 CHA Waiting List FAQ

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1. What is the Housing Choice Voucher Program?
CHA’s Housing Choice Voucher Program, commonly known as Section 8, provides eligible very low-income
households (“Participants”) with opportunities to live in rental homes owned by private landlords. Participants choose
where they want to live, as long as the unit is approved by CHA through an inspection and determination that the
rent is reasonable. CHA pays a portion of the contracted rent in the form of a housing assistance payment to the
landlord on behalf of the Participant.  The Participant pays 30% of the household’s monthly adjusted income or the
monthly minimum rent requirement of $50, whichever is greater directly to the landlord.
 
2. How can I apply for the waiting list?
Application can be accessed online only at www.chahousing.org on Thursday, February 9, 2023 at 12:01 am and
closes on Thursday, February 9, 2023 at 11:59 pm.
 
3. What happens after I submit the pre-application?
Following the closing of the pre-application registration period (Thursday, February 9, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.), pre-
applications will be selected for the waiting list using a computerized, random selection process.  Once sorting has
been completed, the applicants who have randomly been assigned numbers 1 – 1,000 will be placed on the HCVP
waiting list.  The remaining applications will be discarded.  Those who are not placed on the waiting list will need to
re-apply to our waiting list once we begin accepting new applications again.

ALL pre-applications – whether submitted at the beginning of day on Thursday, February 9, 2023 p.m. EST or the
end of day on Thursday, February 9, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. EST of the pre-application period will be placed in random
order by the 3rd party software.

On Thursday, February 16, 2023 @ 12:00 p.m. (noon) EST the CHA will post the waiting list applicants in the order
that they were randomly selected.  Please visit our website at www.chahousing.org to see this list.  A paper listing
will also be available at all of our CHA public housing management offices and Central Office.  The listing will be
posted using a unique identifier (the first and last initial and the last 4 digits of the social security number of the head
of household) that you will be requested to give at the time of application. .
 

PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU DO NOT SEE YOUR UNIQUE IDENTIFIER WITH A WAITING LIST NUMBER POSTED

ON THE WEBSITE ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023 THIS MEANS YOU WERE NOT SELECTED FOR OUR

WAITING LIST.
 

Your application has been discarded and you will need to re-apply to our waiting list once we begin accepting new
applications again. You do not need to call our office for any further information if you were not selected and your
name is not on the posted list!
 
4.  What is a “Unique Identifier” and why do I need one?
The “Unique Identifier” is set up at the time of application by providing the first initial and last initial and the last 4
digits of the social security number for the head of household.  You will need to know this information to identify
your placement on our waiting list.
 
5.  May I call the Chattanooga Housing Authority to find out what number I am listed on the
HCVP/Section 8 Waiting List?
NO.  You may visit our website (www.chahousing.org) any time after 12:00 p.m. (noon) EST on Thursday, February
16, 2023.  If you do not have internet access, a hard copy of the waiting list will also be made available at all of our
Chattanooga Housing Authority management offices, as well as our main office located at 801 N. Holtzclaw Ave.,
Chattanooga, TN 30404.  You will need your “Unique Identifier” to research your placement on the waiting list. (see
#4).  The waiting list will be updated periodically as vouchers become available.
 
6. How many pre-applications may I submit?
Only ONE pre-application per registrant will be accepted.  Submitting more than one application will automatically
disqualify you from the waiting list.
 

7.  Can I call CHA to obtain my placement on the waiting list?
NO.  The list will be made available only on our website beginning Thursday, February 16, 2023 at 12:00 noon at
www.chahousing.org.
 
8. Can more than one person in my household submit a pre-application for the waiting list?
Yes. Each registrant, however, must be 18 years of age or older or be an emancipated minor in accordance with the
laws of the state of Tennessee.
 
9. What are the admissions requirements for an applicant to be admitted into the Housing Choice
Voucher Program?
Eligibility for a housing voucher is determined by the CHA at time of selection from the waiting list and is based on
the following:

·         Income: The gross annual household income must not exceed the HUD-determined Income Limits for the
family size shown below: (gross annual income is before any deductions such as taxes, garnishments, childcare, etc)
In order to qualify for a housing choice voucher, your household income must not exceed the Very Low Income
Limit determined by HUD annually. The 2022/2023 (FY2022) HUD Income Limits are in the table below.
2022/2023 (FY2022) Income Limits Summary - # of Persons in Household - Very Low (50%) Income Limits
1                 2               3                 4                 5                 6                 7                 8
$26,350      $30,100      $33,850      $37,600       $40,650     $43,650       $46,650      $49,650

·         Eligible Family Member:  At least one family member must be a U.S. Citizen or Eligible Immigrant.
·         Criminal History:  All family members age sixteen (16) and over will receive criminal history reviews.
·         Prior tenancy with Low-Income Housing and/or Housing Choice Voucher Programs will be checked for
evictions, vacate without notice, bad debts, damages and other non-compliance issues that may have led to
termination of rental subsidy.

 

IF YOU WERE EVICTED FROM PUBLIC HOUSING OR TERMINATED FROM THE HOUSING CHOICE

VOUCHER PROGRAM WITHIN THE LAST 5 YEARS, YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE AND WILL BE REMOVED

FROM THE WAITING LIST IF YOU ARE CHOSEN.

 

If your eviction or termination has been longer than 5 years then you may still be eligible.

Applicants who do not meet the basic eligibility requirements listed below at the time of selection from the waiting
list will be removed from the waiting list.
 
10.  How do I change my address on the waiting list if I have moved?
Address changes must be made in person by the lottery winner with valid photo identification at CHA 801 N.
Holtzclaw Avenue. Failure to provide a current address prior to selection from the waiting list will result in being
removed from the waiting list.  You will not be notified that you have been removed from the waiting list.
 
11. When I am selected from the waiting list, when will I receive my voucher?
Being added to the waiting list does not mean that you will receive a voucher right away or that housing assistance is
immediately available. As housing assistance becomes available, CHA will draw applicants from the waiting list on a
periodic basis.

Once your name is reached on the waiting list, the CHA will contact you via regular U. S. Postal mail or the email
address used to apply inviting you to attend an eligibility interview.  During the application process, the CHA will
conduct a criminal background check on all household members aged 16 years or older.  CHA will collect information
on family income, assets, and family composition. The CHA will verify this information with other local agencies, your
employer and bank, and will use the information to determine program eligibility and the amount of the housing
assistance available.

If the CHA determines that your family is eligible, you will be required to attend a Housing Choice Voucher Program
briefing and will be issued a voucher at the completion of the briefing if all information/documentation has been
obtained to determine and approve eligibility for the program.
 
12. Can I apply for the Housing Choice Voucher Program Waiting List if I was previously terminated
from the program or if I’m on another waiting list?
Yes but only if you were terminated rom the program more than 5 years from the date of application. You will not be
prohibited from submitting a pre-application; however, when you are selected from the waiting list, your application
will be reviewed in accordance with CHA’s Administrative Plan, which will include a review of your previous
participation in a housing assistance program and related rental history.

 
13. Is there a cost to submit a Housing Choice Voucher Program Waiting List pre-application?
No. There is no cost to submit a pre-application. CHA 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 waiting
list, or ensure that you will any receive CHA benefits.
 
14. If I want to apply for the Housing Choice Voucher Program Waiting List, but I don’t have access to
the Internet, can I still apply?
Yes. If you require assistance in completing a pre-application because of a disability, because you require language
translation services or communication in another format, or for other reasons, you may visit our office located at 801
N Holtzclaw Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37404 from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm on Thursday, February 9, 2023, for assistance
in completing the online application.
 
15. Am I required to live in the City of Hamilton County to participate in CHA’s Housing Choice Voucher
Program?
You do not have to live in Hamilton County to complete a pre-application for the CHA’s Housing Choice Voucher
Program Waiting List. However, if you live in Hamilton County at the time you apply, you may relocate out of the
county after your name is reached on the waiting list and at the time of voucher issuance.  If you did not reside in
Hamilton County at the time you applied, you must reside in Hamilton County for the first year of your participation
in CHA’s Housing Choice Voucher Program.
 
16.  How will I know if I have been “denied” a housing choice voucher?
If you are denied a voucher for any the reasons listed above, you will receive a letter in the mail notifying you that
you have been denied.  You will be given fifteen days (15) from the date of the letter to submit a request for an
informal hearing in writing.
 
17.  What happens if my name is selected from the waiting list and I did not receive my eligibility
notice and missed my appointments?
You will be given two (2) opportunities to attend an eligibility briefing and/or the voucher briefing.  If you miss these
appointments, your name will automatically be withdrawn from the waiting list and no other notification will be given
once removed.  You may reapply when the waiting list reopens.
 
18.  May I appeal the decision to be removed from the waiting list if I missed my appointments?
Yes.  You may come into the office and complete a “request for appeal” form or you can print it online and turn it
into the office.
 
19.  When will the Housing Choice Voucher Program/Section 8 Waiting List close?
Thursday, February 9, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. EST – You may not apply after this date.