top of page

Section 8 Waiting List is Closed as of 3/1/2024 

McAlester Housing Authority assists up to 77 families in paying for rental housing on the private market

via the Housing Choice Voucher Program.  

​

The Housing Choice Voucher Program administered by McAlester Housing is funded by the US Dept. of Housing & Urban Development (HUD). The purpose of the program is to make decent, safe and sanitary housing affordable to low-income households in the private rental market. Households that meet eligibility requirements normally pay approximately 30% of their adjusted monthly income toward the monthly rent and utility cost. The program pays the balance of the rent directly to the owner of the rental property or to their appointed agent, up to the published HUD Fair Market Rent amounts.

How Rent Is Determined

Landlords

This program is only successful when there are private property owners and managers who participate in the voucher program. 

Benefits of participation in the program include timely and reliable rental assistance payments, a pool of up to 77 voucher holders we refer to you that may be searching for housing at any given time. In addition, the MHA conducts yearly inspections which will help keep your unit in better condition as the participant

may lose their voucher if they damage the unit.

 

Contact McAlester Housing Authority (MHA)

 If your property is within the city limits of McAlester for more information about participating in the program.

 

Responsibilities of the Owner/Landlord:

​

  • Comply with fair housing laws and equal opportunity requirements.

  • Comply with the terms of the Housing Assistance Payments Contract (Form HUD-52641),

  • Ensure the unit continues to meet NSPIRE Housing Standard requirements.

  • Cooperate with the tenant by responding promptly to request for needed repairs.

  • Notify MHA of any program violations.

  • Enforce the lease, collect the rent due, any security deposit and charges for damages to unit by the family.

  • Screen families for suitability as renters.

  • Notify MHA in writing of any address or telephone number change; and

  • Notify MHA in writing of changes in ownership (selling property) or agents.

​

Before a family with a Voucher can move into your apartment, MHA will conduct an inspection. If the apartment passes inspection, all parties will sign the lease, and the family will move in.

If the apartment does not pass inspection, you will be given up to 30 days to correct the problems and have a re-inspection. The tenant/family may NOT move into the unit until it has passed inspection. 

Occupied units will also be inspected annually. The MHA Inspector will contact the tenant to schedule the annual/biennial inspection.  If the unit does not pass inspection, the landlord will be notified of any deficiencies and given a time line for repair based upon the nature of the deficiency.  If the repairs are not made within the prescribed timeline, both the tenant and MHA may withhold payment.  

HUD’s Housing Quality Standards must be met in order to pass a unit.

A copy of those standards can be found here.

 

Below is a list of common and easily rectified issues that will cause an apartment to fail an inspection:

 

  • Smoke detectors must be in good working order in the apartment and common areas (including all bedrooms, hallways and basements).

  • Windows must open and close without being propped up. Broken and cracked glass must be replaced.

  • Handrails must be present in the interior and exterior of building where there are more than three steps.

  • All plumbing must be in good working condition and free of leaks.

  • Bathrooms must have an exterior window OR a working venting fan.

  • Stoves need to work properly and be clean.

  • Keyed locks on interior doors are NOT allowed.

  • No Peeling paint indoors or outside

  • Doors and windows must be weather tight.

  • Missing or loose electrical plates and switch plates must be tightened or replaced.

  • Excessive garbage either in the apartment, hallway, or on the property is not allowed.

  • All hallways are fire exits and must be kept free of debris, such as bikes or trash.

  • All flooring must be free of trip hazards.

  • All kitchen and bathroom floors must be watertight, free of defects and easily cleanable.

  • Tub and shower walls must be waterproof with no loose or missing tiles and must be free of mold or mildew.

  • All trash is required to be stored in proper containers with lids.

  • All utilities, gas or electric, whether landlord or tenant supplied, are required to be maintained at all times.

  • Heat is required to be operational.

  • Common areas such as the basement, exterior and hallways are inspected.

​

Responsibilities of the Family that receives a Section 8 Voucher:

  • Provide MHA with complete and accurate information.

  • Comply with the Family Obligations listed on the Voucher.

  • Cooperate in attending all appointments scheduled by MHA.

  • Locate a unit that is suitable for the family, meets HQS requirements, and meets rent reasonable requirements (as determined by MHA when compared to similar unassisted units in immediate vicinity)

  • Keep the unit safe and sanitary.

  • Comply with the terms of the lease with the owner/landlord.

  • Notify MHA of any changes in income or family composition within 30 days of change.

  • Cooperate with the owner/landlord by informing him/her in writing of any necessary repairs.

  • Notify MHA of any known program violations.

       

Who to Call and When:

It can be confusing to keep separate who to contact in different situations. Please use this guide to know when to contact your Section 8 program specialist and when to call your landlord.

​

Call your Section 8 Coordinator:

  • You want to know how much you should pay for rent

  • You think your rental portion may be too high or low

  • You have any other questions about your rent portion

  • Your pay has gone up or down

  • You have a new or different job

  • You have questions about your voucher

  • Your landlord is not responding to requests for repairs to your unit

​​

Call Your Landlord:

  • You want to know where/how to pay rent

  • You have a problem with your unit

  • You wish to get a pet

  • You have any questions related to your unit itself

  • You are uncertain what utilities are available

  • You have a question about parking, laundry or other amenities

​​

Call Section 8 Coordinator and Your Landlord:

  • You wish to move

  • You wish to add another person to your household

​

Grounds for Termination:

MHA may, at any time, deny/terminate program assistance for the following reasons:

  • Violation of family obligations under the program.

  • If any member has been evicted from Public Housing.

  • If any member of the family has been terminated from any federal housing program.

  • If any member of the family commits drug-related criminal activity, or violent criminal activity.

  • If any member of the family commits fraud, bribery or any other corrupt or criminal act in connection with any federal housing program;

  • If the family owes an amount to MHA or another federal housing program.

  • If the family has not reimbursed MHA for amount paid to an owner under the HAP contract.

  • If the family breaches an agreement to repay amounts owed to MHA; and

  • If the family has engaged in or threatened abusive or violent behavior toward housing agency personnel.

bottom of page