Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program

OHA administers the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program (previously known as Section 8 Program). The HCV program helps eligible low-income households by making Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) on behalf of the household to owners/landlords. The assistance is calculated for both rent and utilities. To be eligible for portability a voucher holder must have been a resident of Ottumwa, Iowa for a period of 12 months. Also, required is the program participants be in good standing with their current landlord. This entails timely payments of rent and utilities with no remaining balances. If there’s a remaining balance on a promissory note it must be paid in full before a participant may utilize the portability process.

Income Limits effective 5/1/2025

Tenant rent is based on all household annual income. Income Limits per household size:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
$32,200 $36,800 $41,000 $46,000 $49,700 $53,400 $57,050 $60,750

Below is the HUD link regarding Income Limits

FY 2025 Income Limits Documentation System — Summary for Wapello County, Iowa

Housing Choice Vouchers

Fair Market Rents / Payment Standards at 110% Effective January 1, 2025

0BR 1BR 2BR 3BR 4BR 5BR 6BR
$825 $853 $1,119 $1,398 $1,613 $1,855 $2,097

All data is determined for rent and are collected from the HUD website below, in addition the Housing Authority uses 110% Payment Standard

FY 2026 Fair Market Rent Documentation System — Calculation for Wapello County, IA

Project Based Vouchers

Fair Market Rents Effective January 1, 2025