An Albuquerque Housing Authority (AHA) voucher program currently accepting applicants is meant to help stabilize those across the city who are struggling to find affordable housing.
The AHA put the word out Wednesday about a program that provides voucher assistance to those trying to rent homes, townhouses or apartments on the private market. The agency — the largest housing authority in New Mexico — is encouraging residents to apply for its Section 8 housing choice voucher program through Aug. 15.
The market in Albuquerque for affordable rentals of apartments and homes is tight and it’s especially so for low income residents or those who are precariously housed or experiencing homelessness. While the city provides some options for those in vulnerable situations — including vouchers for apartment rentals — voucher holders often face long search times of up to 200 days to find a landlord willing to rent.
The AHA program is designed for very low-income families, the elderly and the disabled. The voucher provides a housing subsidy that’s paid directly to a landlord or property owner. The family or individual would then pay any difference between the actual rent and the subsidized amount.
The AHA said the Section 8 program serves about 3,200 households in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho and Bernalillo County and funds about $23 million in rent payments to landlords each year through a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant.
For more information, and to apply for programs, go to abqha.org or click here. The AHA can also be reached at (505) 764-3920 or update@abqha.org.
Officials stressed that those who have previously applied for the voucher, but did not receive one, must reapply. Applications are accepted annually and applicants are selected at random to be screened for eligibility. The number of applicants selected each year is based on available funds.
The AHA said housing search assistance is also available through a partnership with HUD and the city. The assistance pays for application fees, security deposits and holding fees. More than 200 households have used the search assistance so far, officials said.
“It’s partnerships and programs like these that make affordable, safe housing a reality for so many Albuquerque households,” AHA Executive Director Linda Bridge said in a statement.
In addition to the Section 8 program, the AHA is involved in public housing and veterans housing. Homeless veterans can apply for HUD’s veterans assistance for supportive housing program through the AHA.