Our Programs
Homeless Assistance Recovery Program (HARP):
HARP Contact list (PDF)
Homeless Assistance Recovery Program (HARP) vouchers (also known as Section 8 vouchers) are available statewide to those who are homeless and meet income requirements. People enrolled in the MSHDA Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) program are considered homeless and automatically go to the top of the HARP waiting list. Verification of homelessness is determined by a lead agency in each county, which is chosen by the Continuum of Care Body. For further information regarding program eligibility, please contact the MSHDA Office of Housing Voucher Program Resource Specialist assigned to your county. Visit the MSHDA Web site for list of Specialists. More information on the HARP policy.
Criminal Screening
MSHDA’s Housing Voucher Program (HVP) office has recently updated its criminal screening policy. The new criminal screening policy details the procedures for the required screening and how it will affect individuals applying for HARP. A new form, MSHDA 537, will be an additional form required when a TBRA or Michigan Prisoner Re-Entry Initiative (MPRI) client applies for HARP and does not pass the criminal screening. This form will be sent by the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Agent to the TBRA Lead Agency or MPRI contact if the applicant fails the criminal screening. If appropriate, the agency can verify that the applicant is fulfilling his or her responsibilities in the program and “does not pose an unusual or unwarranted risk to the health, safety, and peaceful enjoyment of the premises or the neighborhood.” In such a case, the denial will be reviewed by the HCV agent and reevaluated.
The Housing Choice Voucher application also has been revised to ask questions regarding criminal activity, TBRA and/or MPRI involvement. Read the full Criminal Screening policy, which outlines the procedures used when clients are denied, based on their criminal screenings.
Total Tenant Payment:
The Total Tenant Payment policy refers to how much money a tenant must contribute toward his or her rent in order to be in compliance with the voucher. Traditionally, HUD and MSHDA have enforced the policy that a tenant must pay at a minimum $50 toward the rent. However, since MSHDA has been emphasizing HARP vouchers, there have been many individuals who, due to their homeless status, have been unable to contribute the minimum payment. In 2008, MSHDA revised the Total Tenant Payment to reflect the minimum payment as $0 for all of the voucher program participants. More information about this policy.
Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS):
The Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS) is a part of MSDHA’s Housing Voucher Program (HVP). MSHDA partners with state agencies, human service agencies, schools, nonprofits, local units of government, businesses, and other local partners to develop a comprehensive program that gives participating FSS family members the skills and experience needed to enable them to obtain and maintain suitable employment. To be eligible for the program, tenants must be current voucher holders. The program is available to all tenants of the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, whether on a regular voucher or a HARP voucher. You will need to contact your current HVP Housing Agent to apply for this program. More information about this program.