Rental Assistance Participants
Participants can contact their Housing Specialist by phone or email with questions regarding their participation in a rental assistance program.
Many questions can be answered by referring to Housing Choice Voucher Frequently Asked Questions.
Or by referring to the Housing Choice Voucher Participant Handbook.
Housing Choice Voucher Participant Handbook
Housing Choice Voucher Program Income Limits
To be eligible for the Housing Choice Voucher program, participants must meet the program’s income limits.
| Household Size | Income Limit |
| 1 | $33,050 |
| 2 | $37,750 |
| 3 | $42,450 |
| 4 | $47,150 |
| 5 | $50,950 |
| 6 | $54,700 |
| 7 | $58,500 |
| 8 | $62,250 |
Income limits are as of April 2018 and are subject to change.
How does the Housing Choice Voucher Program work?
The Housing Choice Voucher Program partners with private rental market landlords to provide affordable housing opportunities for over 2,000 family, elderly, handicapped and disabled households in Dakota County. The CDA administers this federally funded program in Dakota County.
Participants of the Housing Choice Voucher program pay a minimum of 30% of their monthly adjusted income towards their rent. The voucher pays the remaining rent amount to the landlord or property owner. Vouchers stay with the tenant and not with the housing unit. This allows for more flexibility in housing choices and options.
Step 1. The CDA issues the tenant a Housing Choice Voucher.
Step 2. The tenant contacts the private market owner (landlord) regarding an available unit.
Step 3. Owner shows unit to tenant.
Step 4. Tenant completes owner application for unit.
Step 5. Owner screens tenant (credit, criminal and rental history).
Step 6. Owner approves tenant.
Step 7. Tenant supplies owner with “Request for Tenancy Approval” (RTA) form for completion.
Step 8. Tenant returns completed RTA along with an unsigned copy of the lease to the CDA.
Step 9. The CDA evaluates proposed rent to make sure it is reasonable and affordable. The tenant will not pay more than 40% of their monthly income towards rent and utilities.
Step 10. The CDA prepares contracts and mails to the owner for signatures.
Step 11. The CDA schedules and performs Housing Quality Standard Inspection.
Step 12. Owner reviews documents, signs and returns to CDA along with a signed copy of the lease.
Step 13. Upon return of contract, lease and a passed inspection, the CDA issues the rent assistance to the owner.
Annual Recertification
As a participant in the Housing Choice Voucher program, you are required to recertify each year in order to participate in the program. The briefing presentation below will walk you through your obligations as a Housing Choice Voucher participant so that you can be successful in keeping your voucher for as long as you need it.
Topics included in the briefing presentation include:
- Rent Calculation
- Reporting Changes
- The Move Process
- Inspections
- Retaining Your Assistance
Briefing Presentation
To view the presentation as a PDF document without narration or animation, use the link below to open the presentation in a new window:
Housing Choice Voucher Annual Briefing Presentation
Briefing Presentation Videos
To view the presentation as a video with narration and animation, watch each section of the presentation below. Remember to turn up the volume on your viewing device.
Section 1: Welcome
Section 2: Rent Calculation
Section 3: Reporting Changes
Section 4: The Move Process
Section 5: Inspections
Section 6: Retaining Your Assistance
Voucher Payment Standards
The Housing Choice Voucher program is a federally funded program. The payment standards are set by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The chart below shows the maximum amount of rental assistance a household is eligible to receive that is equal to the difference between 30% of a household’s monthly adjusted income and the applicable Voucher Payment Standard.
Region 1: Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Inver Grove Heights, Lakeville and Mendota Heights
Region 2: Farmington, Hastings, Rosemount, South St. Paul and West St. Paul
| Unit Size | Region 1 Payment Standards: | Region 2 Payment Standards: |
| 0 Bedroom | $725 | $715 |
| 1 Bedroom | $945 | $910 |
| 2 Bedroom | $1,180 | $1,135 |
| 3 Bedroom | $1,565 | $1,555 |
| 4 Bedroom | $1,830 | $1,815 |
| 5 Bedroom | $2,125 | $2,090 |
| 6 Bedroom | $2,530 | $2,375 |
| MANUFACTURED HOMES | $411 | $411 |
Voucher Payment Standards are as of May 2018 and are subject to change.
To determine whether or not your rent is affordable, use the Rent Affordability Calculator below.
Utility Allowance Schedule
Housing Choice Voucher participants also receive a utility allowance each month. Use the Utility Allowance Schedule below to calculate your allowance.
The utility allowance is subject to change.
Change Reporting Form
Are you a current Housing Choice Voucher holder who needs to update your household composition, phone number or income? If so, you’ll need to update this information with the CDA.
- Print out the Housing Choice Voucher Change Form or call 651-675-4534 to request a paper copy of the form.
Housing Choice Voucher Change Form - Fill out the Housing Choice Voucher Change Form.
- Return the Housing Choice Voucher Change Form to the CDA.
If you have questions regarding your update, please contact the Office Support Assistant in Housing Assistance at 651-675-4534.
Moving with a Voucher
Are you planning to move to a new unit within Dakota County or outside of Dakota County? The Housing Choice Voucher program allows you to take your voucher with you to a new unit. There is helpful information in order to prepare yourself for your upcoming move and the process that must be followed when moving with your voucher.
Please note: the CDA will only approve one move in a 12 month period of time. 12 month leases are required with your Housing Choice Voucher.