When are families admitted to the HCV program no longer subject to income limits?

The acceptance of families into the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program is tied closely to their income status. When a family receives their voucher, they are formally accepted into the program, and at this point, they can proceed to find suitable housing. Importantly, while income limits apply during the application phase and eligibility screening, they no longer apply once families have received their voucher.

At this stage, the family must still meet the ongoing program requirements, but they will not be subject to further income restrictions for the duration of their participation in the program. This means they have the flexibility to secure housing without being concerned about their income exceeding established limits after obtaining the voucher.

Other phases in the process, such as signing the lease, verification by the Public Housing Authority (PHA), or moving into the unit, do not change the income limit status in relation to admission into the program. The initial income requirement is critical during the application phase, but once the voucher is granted, the family's income does not factor into their eligibility to use the voucher for housing.