Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program

About Housing Choice Vouchers

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program is the largest voucher program administered by the GRHC. Funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), HCVs provide a monthly rental subsidy for low-income households renting privately owned property. Rent for income-eligible households is typically 30 percent of adjusted monthly household income.

Kent County income eligibility requirements:

Family Size

Maximum Annual Income

1

$53,050

2

$60,600

3

$68,200

4

$75,750

5

$81,850

6

$87,900

7

$93,950

8

$100,000

Ottawa County income eligibility requirements:

Family Size

Maximum Annual Income

1

$55,800

2

$63,800

3

$71,750

4

$79,700

5

$86,100

6

$92,500

7

$98,850

8

$105,250

Please be aware that the GRHC is one of several local agencies that administer a Housing Choice Voucher program. Each agency is independently administered; so if you applied with an agency other than the Grand Rapids Housing Commission, please contact that agency with application updates or questions about your application.

Links to the websites of some additional housing agencies in our area:

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Waiting List News

Updated 12/6/23

The GRHC’s Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program received more than 7,000 applications during the program’s October 23–27 open enrollment period; the program is currently closed to new applicants.

The GRHC has concluded a random selection process that has added 5,000 recent applicants to our HCV waiting list. Applicants who applied during the open enrollment period will receive an application status postcard by U.S. Mail that indicates whether their household has been added to the HCV waiting list.

The GRHC is currently serving applicants who applied during December 2019.

Please note that the GRHC does not offer waiting list “position numbers.”

IMPORTANT: The GRHC uses the information on the housing application to contact applicants when their name reaches the top of the waiting list. If you move prior to being contacted, it is very important that you update the contact information on your application. Information can be updated online via the GRHC applicant portal.


HCV Program Next Steps

Once your family’s name has reached the top of the waiting list...

  • You will be invited to an orientation session that will confirm your program eligibility and level of assistance. Families generally contribute 30 percent of their total adjusted monthly household income toward rent; the maximum a family can contribute is 40 percent of total adjusted income.
    View the GRHC’s HCV program orientation video
  • Your family will be issued a voucher and can begin looking for rental housing within Kent County. The voucher will be valid for 60 days.
  • Your family can choose to stay in your current residence if it meets program requirements, or you can rent a different unit from a property owner who participates in the Section 8 program.
  • The apartment or house you choose will be inspected by GRHC staff to ensure that it meets HUD’s Housing Quality Standards.
  • Once any necessary repairs have been made and the housing you have selected passes inspection, you will submit a signed lease to your GRHC Section 8 Coordinator for approval.
  • Your family will pay any required security deposit; under Michigan law, this cannot exceed one and one-half month’s rent.
  • You will pay your portion of the rent to the landlord each month. The GRHC will send Housing Assistance Payments—the difference between what you pay and the actual rent—directly to your landlord.
  • Each year, your family’s eligibility for assistance will be reconfirmed and your rental unit will be reinspected.

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Current Program Participants

HCV Program Clients Can Now Rent in Ottawa County!

The GRHC recently expanded our service area to include Ottawa County; this means GRHC Housing Choice Voucher program participants can now rent a unit in either Kent or Ottawa counties.

View maximum monthly rents and utility allowances for units in Kent County

View maximum monthly rents and utility allowances for units in Ottawa County


Rental Property Search Resources

The Rental Property Owners Association (RPOA) now offers an online listing of available local rentals. View RPOA rental listings

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) administers a searchable rental housing database.*

*DISCLAIMER: The Housing Commission is pleased to offer the convenience of links to organizations that provide a variety of housing and emergency services. Please note that the linked sites are external to the GRHC’s website. The GRHC cannot attest to the accuracy of information provided by linked sites. The GRHC disclaims all responsibility for the contents and results provided through linked websites.


Direct Deposit Available

The GRHC offers direct deposit of Utility Assistance Payments! Current Section 8 clients can click Direct Deposit Authorization Form to reach the secure online form that makes this convenience possible. Download Direct Deposit Form to get a PDF version of the form.


Transfer a Housing Choice Voucher

The HCV program allows a household to transfer or “port” its voucher to another city. Download a brochure that offers an overview of the process.


Tenant Responsibilities

Participants in the GRHC’s Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program are responsible for:

  • Providing the GRHC with complete and accurate information about family composition, income and assets.
  • Promptly notifying the GRHC of any changes in family composition, income or assets.
  • Locating rental housing within Kent County that meets the program quality and cost standards.
  • Providing complete information about rental agreements with the rental property owner. The terms of a lease cannot be changed without the GRHC’s written acknowledgement.
  • Complying with all program and lease requirements, including paying the family’s portion of the rent on time, informing the GRHC in advance of any move to a new rental unit, and obtaining preapproval of the new unit.

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