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Participants FAQs
1. Who is my housing specialist?
You may determine whom you’re Housing Specialist by going to www.dhcmi.org and find your specialist under the Section 8 staff directory.
2. I reported a change in my income, has the change been processed?
Changes in household income must be reported and verified. To determine when the reported change in household income is effective contact the Housing Specialist assigned to your case. Income changes do not go into retro-actively; they go in effect after they are actually reported. For a staff directory go to www.dhcmi.org
3. I need to report a change in circumstances (increase or decrease in household income, or change in persons residing in the assisted dwelling) How do I report the change?
To report a change in household income or change in persons residing in the household contact the housing specialist assigned to your account.
4. I have a Detroit Housing Choice Voucher. How do I transfer my housing assistance to another jurisdiction? How do I start the portability process?
You are eligible to transfer your voucher to any housing authority that operates the Housing Choice Voucher Program. You will need to inform your housing specialist that you want to transfer to another jurisdiction to start the portability process. You need to be in good standing with your current landlord. You housing specialist will issue Intent to Vacate for you and your landlord to complete. Once the form is completed, you will be turn the form in and provided that you are in good standing DHC will issue your voucher and portability paperwork to transfer to the new jurisdiction will begin. Upon receipt of your paperwork the receiving housing authority will contact you to schedule necessary appointments to begin assistance in the new location.
5. I have a Housing Choice voucher from another jurisdiction. How do I transfer my housing to Detroit?
You will need to contact your current housing authority office to start the portability process. They will advise you on their portability procedures and assist you with moving to Detroit.
6. Will your housing agency bill my housing agency of absorbs?
Normal procedures for the Detroit Housing Commission are to bill the initial housing authority for portability.
7. What is my utility reimbursement amount?
If you qualify for utility reimbursement, you will receive a letter from the DHC that indicates the utility reimbursement amount. The utility reimbursement amount is based on your adjusted income, the type of utility (gas, electric, etc) and the type of unit (apartment, single-family home, etc.).
8. When is my annual re-certification interview appointment?
All program participants are scheduled for reexamination appointments approximately four months prior to their anniversary date.
9. Isn’t it enough to report my income just once per year?
Definitely not, whenever there is any kind of change in income, which is different from what has been reported, last, it must be reported in person immediately, not over the phone or by mail
AS LONG AS YOU REPORT THE CHANGE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD WITHING TEN (10) DAYS OF THE CHANGE YOU WILL NOT BE IN JEAPORDY OF ACCUMULATING A DEBT WITH SECTION *
10. If my income exceeds the limit am I removed from Section 8?
Not necessarily, if at any time that it is discovered that you are over-income, your Section 8 voucher will be held for you to use again writing a six0month period if your income once again falls below the income limit. It is up to you to report if this occurs. Meantime, you will be responsible to pay the rent in full directly to the landlord.