Voucher Holder FAQs

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Answers to Common Questions

Your financial help for a place to live is based on all the things you reported in your application.

It is very important that you get to know the requirements of your program. The Briefing Packet provided when you first received assistance has detailed information.

HASCO's housing team has created a Briefing Video as well to provide basic information about the Housing Choice Voucher program.

For HASCO Project Based Voucher program participants transitioning to the Housing Choice Voucher program, our housing team has also prepared a separate Briefing Video specific to this process.

The Voucher Holder FAQs answer questions with up-to-date information about your rights, responsibilities and opportunities while receiving financial support through HASCO.

Learn more about how to keep your financial assistance and stay in your home.

Following the rules of your lease
Updating HASCO about all household and income changes
Using our published forms to report new information

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Rent and Utilities

How much rent does HASCO pay? What is the “payment standard?”

HASCO’s voucher payment standards set the maximum amount HASCO will pay each month to help a voucher holder with rent. The payment standards are based on the current average market rents for an area and the number of bedrooms in the unit. Effective January 1, 2025, HASCO's payment standards will be set for each zip code using Small Area Fair Market Rents. HUD requires this change to better reflect the costs in each area.

For payment standards for voucher sizes 0 to 4, view here.

For payment standards for voucher sizes 5 and to 8, view here.

These payment standards are effective January 1, 2026. How they affect you will, depend on the payment standard change in the zip code you currently live in and your unique situation.

How do I know how much rent I will have to pay?

If you choose a unit where the rent and utility allowance are at or below the voucher payment standard, you pay 30 percent of your household monthly adjusted income toward rent and utilities. If you choose a unit that rents above the standard, you also pay the full amount for rent that exceeds the standard. Voucher holders may not move into a unit where their portion of rent and utilities cost more than 40 percent of their monthly adjusted income.

Who pays for utilities?

What is a utility allowance?

A utility allowance is the amount HASCO determines is a family's reasonable allowance to cover its monthly utility bills. This amount is based on average utility costs in Snohomish County. Utility allowances depend on the building type, utilities paid by the tenant, and the number of bedrooms in the unit. The current utility allowances for each housing type can be found here.

Voucher holders receive a utility allowance as a credit to their total monthly payment to their landlord. If the utility allowance schedule changes, the new amount is applied at the family’s next annual recertification date.

I'm already in a lease with my voucher AND my payment standard is decreasing (going down). When does the 2025 Payment Standard apply to me? Will my rent change because of the new Payment Standard?

The new payment standard will apply to your voucher when you move to a new unit or your voucher size changes.

The payment standard change will not automatically impact your current rent portions. HASCO will honor the 2024 payment standards for your current lease unless you change the number of people who live in your household in a way that changes your voucher size.

If your voucher size changes, rent portions will be recalculated using the new payment standard, and your rent portion might go up. You will receive a Notice of Initial Rent or Rent Change after your annual reexamination showing your updated rent portion and the date the change will be effective.

I’m already in a lease with my voucher AND my payment standard is increasing (going up). When does the 2025 Payment Standard apply to me? Will my rent change because of the new Payment Standard?

I am moving, or I am a new voucher holder. How does this impact where I can live?

The 2025 Payment Standards apply to moves and new voucher leases beginning January 1, 2025.

As a new voucher holder or a participant planning to move, you will get a document listing the range of assistance your voucher can provide in each zip codes, based on your voucher size, the building type, and the type of utilities you will be responsible for.

Contact housing@hasco.org for more information.

Reasonable Accommodation

I have a disability and need an accommodation to fully participate in the voucher program. What do I do?

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Inspections

How do I prepare for an inspection?

Your home needs to be thoroughly cleaned and all home features must be working to pass an inspection. Your preparation checklist should include:

Pick up clothing, toys, and other items off the floor.
Thoroughly clean all kitchen appliances including the oven, range top, drip pans and under the refrigerator.
Make sure dishes are put away and the sink and counters are visible.
Thoroughly clean the bathroom sink, toilet, and bathtub.
A 14-inch clearance must be maintained around heaters.
All smoke detectors must be installed and have working batteries.
All electrical outlets and light switches must have cover plates.
If heavily soiled, carpets must be professionally cleaned.
Doors and windows cannot be blocked by items or furniture.

How are inspections scheduled?

If there was a problem with my inspection, how will I learn about it?

Where can I learn more about lead?

Where can I learn more about mold?

Reporting Changes

How soon do I have to report a change in my income or household?

How do I report a change to my household?

How long will it take for my rent amount to change once I report income or household changes?

When will I find out what my new rent portion will be?

What do I do if I want to add someone to my housing?

Do I need to report guests who stay with me?

I mailed a change letter in, but I have not heard or received anything, what do I do?

I am experiencing domestic violence and need to make a change to my housing. What do I do?

I am going to be away from my unit for a month or more. What do I do?

Moving

When should I notify HASCO that I want to move?

What happens after I notify HASCO I want to move?

When do I give notice?

When will I know my new rent portion?

Why are my rent limits different?

Your rent limits are based on your income and household size. If your rent limits are higher than what is currently being approved as rent reasonable you may see a line drawn through your limits with a note stating how much you may want to look for. Your rent limits will most likely change each time you move. You can contact the housing team at housing@hasco.org for questions about your rent limits.

I have a 2-bedroom voucher but want to move into a 3-bedroom unit. Can I do that?

I would like to rent a unit owned by my relative. Is that allowed?

When will the inspection take place on my new unit?

What if I want to move outside of Snohomish County? Can I take my voucher/assistance with me and, if so, how do I go about doing that?

What is “rent reasonable” and how is it determined?

HASCO does not have specific limits on the amount that a landlord can charge for a unit on the voucher program. However, the rent charged must be comparable with the rents charged for similar units in the area, including other non-subsidized units at the same property. Determining what the unit is worth (the fair market rent) is what we call “rent reasonable.” Rent reasonable is determined when our inspector inspects a unit and is re-evaluated whenever a landlord requests a rent increase.

Do you help with deposits?

Can I use my voucher to rent a unit with someone else not on the voucher?

Porting In

I have a voucher with another housing authority and want to move to Snohomish County. What do I do?

Who do I contact at HASCO with porting questions?

Is HASCO absorbing port in vouchers?

Does HASCO have a Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program that I can transfer into?

Does HASCO have a home ownership program?

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Domestic Violence

I am in a domestic violence situation and need immediate help.

I am experiencing domestic violence and need to make a change to my housing. What do I do?

Reporting Program Abuse

I think someone is abusing the voucher program. How can I report it?

If you think someone is misusing the voucher program, like a landlord, tenant, or anyone else connected to HASCO, you can report it in writing to HASCO. HASCO needs your report in writing to look into it.

Here are some examples of program abuse:
• Not telling HASCO about all income
• Not telling HASCO about everyone living in the home
• Renting out a subsidized unit
• Doing illegal things

If you have any questions about reporting program abuse, contact HASCO’s housing team at housing@hasco.org.

Please submit a Program Abuse report.