Learning about Section 8

Now that my rental house is available again, I've decided to put my fear of learning something new aside and try to put a Section 8 tenant in it. Apparently, Section 8 is the old term - the program is now called Housing Choice Vouncher Program.

With this program, from what I've heard so far, you register at Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency as a landlord with an available residence for rent to a tenant on public assistance. Then the agency calls you a few weeks later for a briefing and you're free to take on a Section 8 tenant who brings you a voucher. From then on, HUD pays you the rent, the tenant pays the deposit.

You are still however responsible for screening the tenants and it is a good idea to do so especially because they will be in possession of your house. I hear there is a minimum lease requirement of one year, but I guess I'll find out all the details at the briefing.

If you are a landlord of a house in a low income neighborhood, this might be the way to go. Start here. Or here.