Note from Chief HCV Officer, Cheryl L. Burns | |
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What do you think about Owner News as a monthly e-newsletter? We hope you are enjoying the format and find the information useful as you navigate the ins and outs of the HCV Program. Each issue includes a short how-to, an answer to a common question and a timely program reminder ... plus links to news you may have missed and helpful resources.
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How to Update Direct Deposit Information on the HCV Owner Portal | |
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Do you need your Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) deposited into a different bank account? If so, it's as easy as 1-2-3!
To update your direct deposit information, simply log in to your HCV Owner Portal account, hover over the FINANCE menu and select Change Direct Deposit Info. Then, select a vendor number from the drop-down menu and complete the fields.
Note: In order to verify your bank account information, you will be asked to upload supporting documentation, such as a voided check or letter from your financial institution.
After reading the fine print, check the box to agree and click the ‘Submit’ button to finish (the button will only appear after you've checked the box). If everything is in order, your direct deposit information will be updated in 2-3 business days.
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FAQ Corner: HCV Participant Changes | |
Property owners often ask ... “How does the tenant side of the HCV Program work?” | |
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HCV participants may encounter changes that impact their voucher or the amount of assistance they receive, but not necessarily their tenancy. Here are two of the more common changes that families may experience while participating in the HCV Program:
Re-Examinations
A Re-Examination is when CHA reviews the HCV family’s income, certain expenses, and family composition to verify continued HCV Program eligibility and ensure that the family is receiving the correct amount of subsidy. During a Re-Examination, CHA will verify the following for HCV participant families:
- Head of Household Income
- Social Security numbers for all household members
- The income of all household members
- Childcare expenses for children 12 and under
- Medical expenses for the head of household and their spouse if they are disabled and/or over the age of 62
- Request for Reasonable Accommodation, if applicable
Most HCV families have a Re-Examination every two years, around the anniversary when they first joined the Program. CHA will send families a notice when it's time for them to complete their Re-Examination (normally three or four weeks before the Re-Examination due date). During this time, they may be required to attend an appointment, submit forms online or by mail, or complete their Re-Examination through RENTCafé, CHA's online account management tool.
Interim Re-Examination
When HCV participants experience changes to their family situation that can affect their voucher and these changes occur outside of their regularly scheduled Re-Examination, they must request an Interim Re-Examination. Reasons to submit an Interim request may include:
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Change in income — Families are asked to notify CHA immediately if household income has decreased as this is critical to prevent unnecessary financial burden on the family.
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Adding or removing a household member — If a family member is being added to the voucher (e.g., birth, adoption, marriage, reasonable accommodation, etc.), CHA will ask the property owner to submit written confirmation before a new adult household member can move in. However, if a family member is being removed from the voucher, CHA may ask the property owner to provide supporting documentation to verify that a household member has moved out.
Interims take approximately 30 days to process and are always effective on the 1st of the month following the completed request.
Remember: CHA is limited in what HCV participant family information can be disclosed to a property owner, unless the information is directly related to the property owner’s HAP Contract.
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Message from the Office of the Inspector General
CHA's Office of the Inspector General (OIG) ensures that violations, as they relate to CHA residents, employees, contractors, subcontractors or any entity receiving funds from CHA, are investigated and prosecuted.
As an HCV housing provider, if you have any information regarding fraud in your dealings with tenants, CHA employees or CHA contractors, you are encouraged to report this information to the OIG. Immediate reporting, while facts are still fresh in your mind, is helpful. Complaints can be kept confidential.
If you have any information relating to fraud or unethical activity within or affecting the Chicago Housing Authority, please file an anonymous complaint online, or contact the OIG at fraud@thecha.org or 800-544-7139.
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New Year, New Design
In late-December, CHA launched a new version of the Request for Tenancy Approval (RTA) packet that includes a redesign of the RTA Instructions (now available on the HCV Owner Portal — click the image to view).
As always, an estimated timeline for processing a new move is included on the cover, approximately 7 weeks. However, to help avoid processing delays, you are encouraged to double-check the following before submitting the RTA packet to CHA:
- All necessary fields are populated.
- All information is accurate (pay close attention to the property address, unit # and tax ID).
- Any supporting documentation is included with your submission, such as a voided check or letter from your financial institution to set up direct deposit.
Remember: RTA packets cannot be dropped off in person ... they must be uploaded to the HCV Owner Portal or, for property owners new to the HCV Program, submitted via email to ownerinfo@thecha.org.
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CHA provides free translation and interpretation services for individuals with Limited English Proficiency (LEP).
Language assistance that CHA may provide to LEP persons includes, but is not limited to:
- Oral interpretation services
- Bilingual staff
- Telephonic interpretation line
- Written translation services
To receive language or communication assistance free of charge, please contact CHA's Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 312-742-8500 or chala@thecha.org.
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Practical Pest Control: How to Get Rid of Unwanted Visitors
Tuesday, February 6, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Register Now
Plagued by pests? Join us for a session on how to safely and effectively prevent and remove invasive bugs, rodents and other pests. We’ll review common pest problems, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), chemical safety, and preventative measures to keep you pest free.
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Resources for Property Owners | |
We want to hear from you! Especially if you’ve never attended one of our educational sessions before ... please take a minute to share what you'd like to see from HCV education and events.
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Have leasing-related questions, or want to request a 1:1 consultation?
The HCV Owner Outreach team is here to help. Email owneroutreach@thecha.org. ¡También ofrecemos estos servicios en español!
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Bookmark some of our other favorite online resources
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Affordability Calculator (for non-Mobility area units): chahcvportal.org under the MOVES menu.
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Check your inspection appointments and results: chainspections.org
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Search the interactive Mobility Area Map: thecha.org/mobility and scroll to the bottom.
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Add comparable units to CHA's rent reasonableness database: AffordableHousing.com (free account required), log in and click COMPARABLES in the left-hand menu.
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View/download HAP Statements or submit a rent increase request: chahcvportal.org under the FINANCE menu.
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We appreciate your continued partnership! If you liked this newsletter, or have topic suggestions for newsletter articles or webinars, reply to this email and let us know.
Looking for past editions of Owner News? Find them on the HCV Owner Portal at chahcvportal.org, under RESOURCES.
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