Housing Choice Voucher Rental Assistance Program
The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Rental Assistance Program (formerly called HUD Section 8) provides rental assistance to tenants by paying a portion of their monthly rent directly to their landlord. If a tenant follows the program rules and chooses to move, their rental assistance can move with them. The Brainerd HRA administers this program in Crow Wing County.
Program updates
The waiting list for the Brainerd HRA Housing Choice Voucher Rental Assistance Program is closed, and we are not accepting applications for the program at this time. We hope to reopen the Housing Choice Voucher waiting list and accept applications for the program in the near future. We encourage anyone needing an affordable place to live to consider applying to the Brainerd HRA for one of our other housing programs or affordable rental housing developments.
Income guidelines
11/1/2009 - 10/31/2010 Household size
| Household siz | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Annual income | $20,600 | $23,550 | $26,500 | $29,450 | $31,800 | $34,150 | $36,500 | $38,850 |
In order to qualify for the Housing Choice Voucher program, a household's maximum annual income cannot be higher than those listed in the chart above.
Rent assistance
When a household receives a Housing Choice Voucher, they pay between 30% and 40% of their monthly adjusted income for rent and utilities. The remainder of the rent is paid by the Brainerd HRA directly to the household's rental property manager/landlord.
Payment Standards
11/1/2009 - 10/31/2010 Number of bedrooms
| number obedrNumoom | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Monthly rent incl. utilities | $435 | $509 | $671 | $861 | $1007 | $1158 |
For a rental housing unit to qualify for the program, the total rent charged, including utilities, cannot be higher than the rents listed in the chart above ("also referred to as "Payment Standards", or "Fair Market Rents"), unless otherwise approved by the Brainerd HRA. The "0" bedroom category listed above is for a single room occupancy unit. Rental units must also meet HUD Housing Quality Standards, which is a basic inspection standard.
HCV special programs
If you already have a Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), there are some opportunities you may be eligible for, including the Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) Program and the HCV Homeownership Program.
The Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) program was created to help a household move off of public assistance, as this program helps voucher families obtain employment that will lead to economic independence and self-sufficiency. The Brainerd HRA works with social services agencies, schools, businesses, and other local partners to develop a comprehensive program that gives participating FSS family members the skills and experience to enable them to obtain employment that pays a living wage.
If you already receive a Housing Choice Voucher and are interested in learning more about either of these programs, please contact Tania at (218) 824-3433, or by e-mail at tania@brainerdhra.org.
How to apply
The Brainerd HRA uses one application for all of our programs. Unfortunately, the waiting list for the Brainerd HRA Housing Choice Voucher Rental Assistance Program is closed, and we are not accepting applications for the program at this time. Please continue to check this website or contact our office for updates. We encourage anyone needing an affordable place to live to consider applying to the Brainerd HRA for one of our other housing programs or affordable rental housing developments.
Eligibility criteria
For more information about the programs on this page, please contact the following Brainerd HRA staff: