Voucher Homeownership Program

What is the Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Program?

The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Homeownership program of the Evansville Housing Authority (EHA) permits eligible voucher holders, including participants with portable vouchers, the option of purchasing a home with their Housing Choice Voucher rather than renting.

What are the Eligibility Requirements

In order to be eligible, the individual or family must:

  • Have a Housing Choice Voucher issued by the Evansville Housing Authority
  • Not owe EHA or any other Housing Authority any outstanding debt

Meet family eligibility requirements?

  1. Be a first-time homeowner or have a member who is a person with disabilities;
  2. With the exception of elderly and disabled households, meet a minimum income requirement without counting income from “welfare assistance” sources;
  3. With the exception of elderly and disabled households, meet the requisite employment criteria;
  4. Have not defaulted on a mortgage securing a debt to purchase a home under the homeownership option; and
  5. Provide a cash down payment of $750 or 5% of assets, whichever is greater.

How do I Know if i'm ready for Homeownership?

Owning a home is a big responsibility. It is important that you understand the responsibilities before you look at being a homeowner. If you plan to participate in the EHA Homeownership Program, it is mandatory that you complete an approved homeownership counseling course prior to purchasing a home. You may also need to resolve any credit problems and begin saving money so that you will be able to make a down payment. Participation in EHA’s Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program is also recommended.

What is the Minimum Income Requirement?

The head of household, spouse or adult family member must have a gross annual income equal to Federal Minimum Wage, times 2000 hours (currently $14,500 per year).

What are the employment requirements?

The head of household, spouse or adult family member must (with the exception of elderly and/or disabled households) be employed full-time, i.e. at least 1560 hours annually (30 hours per week), and employed continuously for one (1) year prior to execution of the sales agreement.

Once Determined eligible,
what are the family participant requirements?

  • Complete homeownership counseling program
  • Contact a lender for pre-approval
  • Locate a home within the specified time (180 days) 
  • Submit sales agreement for approval by EHA
  • Obtain independent inspection covering all major building systems and allow for EHA to perform a HQS Inspection
  • Obtain Housing Authority approval of proposed mortgage
  • Enter written agreement with EHA to comply with family obligations under the Housing Choice Voucher Program

A Message from Executive Director Rick Moore:

Please be advised that offices are closed to the public at this time and until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  However, staff members have returned to the office to conduct essential functions with clients through phone, mail, and email correspondence.  Precautionary measures are also required of staff while at work including but not limited to social distancing at all times, wearing face-coverings when not able to social distance, hand-washing, increased use of hand sanitizer, and professional office sanitization at the end of each day.

EHA remains committed to providing affordable housing opportunities for the people we serve, especially during uncertain times such as this.  If you are unable to immediately reach your caseworker, please be assured that staff will respond to you at their soonest opportunity.  We thank you for your patience and understanding during this unprecedented time.

ADDITIONAL EHA RESOURCES ARE PROVIDED BELOW FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE:

Contact information for EHA staff can be found here.  

If you would like to report a change of income, please submit an online request to your caseworker here.

If you have recently been issued a voucher, please watch the Orientation Briefing Video here.

If you are a landlord or would like to become a landlord, you may view additional information here.

If you need to submit paperwork to the office, a secure dropbox is now located at the entrance of the HCV (Section 8) Office located at 411 SE 8th Street, Evansville, IN 47713.  You may also use the dropbox at the EHA Administrative Office located at 402 Court Street, Evansville, IN 47708 during working hours only.  (Monday – Friday; 8am-5pm)

PLEASE VISIT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES FOR THE MOST CURRENT COVID-19 INFORMATION: