Lake County, Ohio Section 8 Voucher Waiting List is Closed as of November 2024. The waiting list was last open in November 2023 and remains closed.

Ayat Elkarib

Analysis by Ayat Elkarib

Last Updated: May, 13th 2024

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This waiting list is for Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher rental housing assistance in Lake County, Ohio.

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The Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority (LMHA) last accepted Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list applications from November 14, 2023, until November 20, 2023. This waiting list was last open in June, 2021. There is no notice of when this waiting list will reopen.

To apply while the waiting list was open, applicants were required to complete the online application.

This waiting list had the following preferences:

  • Family Unification Program Youth whose FUP voucher is expiring and will have a lack of adequate housing as a result of voucher expiration. (16 points)
  • Families who are currently living in non-subsidized housing. (4 points)
  • Residency preference: families who live, work, or have been hired to work in Lake County, Ohio. (3 points)
  • Families or persons who are 62 years of age or over or are considered disabled under federal law. (3 points)
  • Families who are employed, outside of Lake County, Ohio. (2 points)
  • Veteran preference: except as provided in any contract for financial assistance with the federal government in the selection of tenants for housing projects, Lake MHA shall give preference, as among applicants equal in need and eligible for occupancy of the dwelling and at the rent involved, to families of honorably discharged veterans and active servicemen, including families of deceased veterans who were honorably discharged or killed as a serviceman. (2 points)
  • Victims of domestic violence: The Lake MHA will offer a preference to families that have been subjected to or victimized by a member of the family or household within the past 24 months. Lake MHA will require evidence that the family has been displaced as a result of fleeing violence in the home. Families are also eligible for this preference if there is proof that the family is currently living in a situation where they are being subjected to or victimized by violence in the home. The following criteria are used to establish a family’s eligibility for this preference: (1 point)
    • Actual or threatened physical violence directed against the applicant or the applicant’s family by a spouse, or other household member who lives in the unit with the family.
    • The actual or threatened violence must have occurred within the past 24 months, with supporting documentation (police reports, documentation from a domestic violence shelter or other documentation as deemed usable by the PHA) or be of a continuing nature.
    • The applicant who lives in a violent neighborhood or is fearful of other violence outside the household is not considered displaced because of domestic violence
    • To qualify for this preference, the abuser must still reside in the unit from which the victim was displaced. The applicant must certify that the abuser will not reside with the applicant unless Lake MHA gives prior written approval.
    • The Lake MHA will approve the return of the abuser to the household after Lake MHA verifies that the abuser has received therapy or counseling that appears to minimize the likelihood of recurrence of violent behavior, and a counselor or therapist recommends, in writing, that the individual will be allowed to reside with the family
  • Displaced families from federally declared disaster areas, in accordance with HUD guidelines (16 points)
  • Mainstream Voucher: Non-elderly persons with disabilities who have previously experienced homelessness and currently a client in a permanent supportive housing or rapid rehousing project (16 points)

2,500 applicants were placed on the waiting list by random lottery, weighed by order of preferences.

For more information, visit the LMHA website.

Sources: This information was verified by the LMHA public notice on October 26, 2023.

Lake County, Ohio Section 8 Voucher Applicant Preferences

Lake County, Ohio has preferences for: Elderly, Displaced by Natural Disaster, Victims of Domestic Violence, Live, Work, or Attend School Locally, Veterans, Working/Employed, Displaced by Government Action, Disabled. Preferences are not required but Section 8 Voucher applicants that meet these criteria will be moved up the waiting list.

Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority

Lake County, Ohio Section 8 Voucher Waiting List is managed by Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority.

Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority provides affordable housing for up to 1,507 low- and moderate-income households through its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher and public housing programs.

This housing agency serves Lake County, Ohio.

What should I do after applying to the Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority Section 8 Voucher waiting list?

After applying, it's a good practice to keep a record of any application that you submit. This will help you keep track of your application, and is especially useful if you apply to multiple waiting lists. You can do this easily with a document on your computer or mobile device, and also with a notebook or piece of paper.

Make sure to write down your application or confirmation number with the application details. This number will be important to reference in the future. Once you have this information written, keep it stored in a place that's easy to access when you need it.

With this information safely stored, all you have left to do is wait to find out if you've been selected for the waiting list.

When will I know if I've been selected for the Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority Section 8 Voucher waiting list?

Depending on the area, it may take weeks or even months to know if you've been selected for the waiting list. Your wait for an announcement is usually the longest in areas with large populations and a high demand for housing assistance.

Check if the public notice states when the housing authority plans to announce the results, or how long it may take to review applications. Contact the housing authority if this information isn't available.

How do I know if I've been added to the Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority Section 8 Voucher waiting list?

Once all applications are reviewed, the housing authority will either contact everyone who has been placed on the waiting list, or message everyone who applied to check their results.

The housing authority will use the contact information you give in the application to reach you (usually by mail, email, or phone). For this reason, it is very important to put valid contact information on your application. Make sure you keep your contact information up to date, and that you respond quickly if any further action is required.

If you don't get contacted by the housing authority, it might mean that you were not chosen for the waiting list. Sometimes, housing authorities do not contact applicants who were not placed on the waiting list. Check with the housing authority for confirmation.

How can I check my status on the Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority Section 8 Voucher waiting list?

To check your status on the waiting list, you usually have to log into an online portal, call a phone number, or visit the office. Each housing authority has different ways for you to check your status.

Some housing authorities will give your spot on the waiting list, but others might only confirm that you're still on the waiting list. Make sure that you have your application or confirmation number with you when checking your status.

How long will it take to get to the top of the Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority Section 8 Voucher waiting list?

The wait to reach the top of this waiting list will be different for everyone.

This waiting list has at least one preference, so those who qualify will have a shorter wait than those who don't. After sorting preferences, applicants are placed on the waiting list randomly. So, there could be a big difference between your wait time, depending on your spot on the waiting list.

If you are closer to the top of the waiting list, your wait may be just weeks or months long. But if you're closer to the end of the waiting list, it could take years to reach the top.

How do I update my application for the Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority Section 8 Voucher waiting list?

To update your waiting list application, you usually have to log into an online portal, call a phone number, or submit a form to the office. Each housing authority has different ways for you to update your application.

Make sure that you have your application or confirmation number with you when updating your application.

When can I apply for a Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority Section 8 Voucher waiting list that is closed?

You cannot apply for a waiting list that is closed until it is reopened by the housing authority. It is not known when the housing authority will announce the next opening.

For the Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority Section 8 Voucher waiting list, how do I apply online?

To apply online, an electronic form must be submitted to the housing authority on the internet. Many online applications require an account to be created to log in, and also a valid email address.

How is a Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority Section 8 Voucher waiting list sorted by random lottery?

A waiting list sorted by random lottery orders applicants who are selected for the waiting list by a random number system. The time you apply does not factor into your waiting list placement.

Who has a Section 8 voucher already?

If you are considering applying for a voucher, you may be interested to know who already has a voucher, and what the households tend to look like. Fortunately, we can provide some helpful statistics using HUD's 2023 Picture of Subsidized Households. The following data describes the economic and demographic characteristics of renters who have a Section or project-based voucher issued by Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority.

How many renters have a Section 8 voucher with Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority?

At the start of 2024, Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority was managing 1,552 Section 8 vouchers. Of the total number of vouchers managed, there were 1,117 households with a voucher. This represents 72% of the total voucher allotment for Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority.

According to HUD, there is a total of 2,328 people living in households with a Section 8 voucher issued by Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority, with the average number of people per household being 2.

How long did current Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority Section 8 households wait for their voucher?

The 1,117 households with a Section 8 voucher at the start of 2024 waited on average 22 months to receive their voucher. Of those voucher-holding households, 101 got their voucher in the last year. This represents 9 percent of voucher holders with vouchers issued by Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority.

Are there any Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority Section 8 vouchers not issued to renters?

Though Section 8 voucher programs are over-subscribed across the nation with all programs having a waiting list, each month, each housing agency managing vouchers has vouchers that are not issued to renters. This can result from turnover in the program if someone with a voucher buys a home, sees an increase in their income, passes away, or otherwise discontinues the use of their voucher.

The time it takes to transfer voucher funding from one recipient to another can be many months. Managing the Section 8 waiting list, qualifying new voucher holders, and approving new homes or apartments takes time. In addition, in some areas, there is an extreme housing shortage or landlords may refuse to rent to persons using a Section 8 voucher to pay their rent. This results in longer than usual ramp-up times for new voucher holders.

The Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority Section 8 HCV program that this waiting list covers had 72% of its vouchers utilized by households with 28% unutilized at the start of 2024. This means that 435 Section 8 vouchers out of a total of 1,552 were in processing at the time HUD reported the data.

How many Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority Section 8 households have children?

Of the 1,117 Section 8 voucher-holding households with the Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority, 621 have at least one child. There are 47 two-parent households in the Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority voucher program, and 574 single-parent households. There were 590 households with children with a female head of household.

How much do Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority Section 8 households earn?

The average annual household income for Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority Section 8 Voucher holders is $15,996 The average annual income per person is $7,833 The average voucher holder earns 22% of the local Area Median Income.

Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority voucher household annual income
Annual Income Range ($) Number of Households % of Vouchers
Less than $5,000 123 11%
$5,000 - $9,999 78 7%
$10,000 - $14,999 436 39%
$15,000 - $19,999 168 15%
$20,000+ 324 29%

What is the source of income for Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority Section 8 households?

Of all voucher holders, 450 (29%) receive the majority of their income from wages and/or business. 16 (1%) voucher-holding households receive the majority of their income from welfare programs like TANF, General Assistance or Public Assistance. 1,009 (65%) voucher-holding households derive the majority of their income from some other source (other than wage or welfare).

How much does a Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority Section 8 voucher pay for tenants?

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program pays 70% of the cost of rent plus utilities for any household receiving the housing assistance.

For the Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority Section 8 program, the federal government is providing, on average, $723 per month to each household, for an average annual cost of $8,676. The program as a whole is paying landlords $807,591 per month, for an annual economic benefit to landlords of $9,691,092

How much does the average Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority Section 8 tenant pay per month in rent?

HUD refers to the portion of rent paid by the Section 8 tenant as the Total Tenant Payment, or Family Expenditure.

For the Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority Section 8 HCV programs, the average family expenditure is $407 per month or $4,884 per year. The combined payment from all tenants in the program is $454,619 per month, which is $5,455,428 per year.

What is the average rent of a Section 8 apartment or home in the Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority program?

The average total rent paid to Section 8 landlords is $1,130 per month which includes payment contributed by both tenant households and the federal government. This is a program-wide rent average across all bedroom size rentals.

What is the average utility cost paid by Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority Section 8 renters?

The average cost of utilities for renters in this program is $128 per month. It is important to note this is not the actual cost renters will pay for utilities, but an estimate based on the energy cost estimates of the program.

What size are most Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority Section 8 homes?

Of the 1,552 households with a Section 8 voucher, 223 (20%) live in a studio or one-bedroom unit, 536 (48%) rent a 2-bedroom rental home and 335 (30%) have a 3-bedroom or larger rental. 36% of Housing Choice Voucher recipients are overhoused with more bedrooms than people in the household.

What is the race and ethnicity of Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority Section 8 households?

50% of Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority Section 8 HCV program households have a minority head of household who is Black, Native American, Asian or Pacific Islander; or of Hispanic ethnicity.

What are the ages of tenant heads of households in the Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority Section 8 HCV program?

Age Range of Head of Household Number of Households % of Households
Under 24 34 3%
25-50/td> 536 48%
51-61 246 22%
62-84 291 26%
85 or Older 11 1%
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