Grand Rapids Housing Commission
ranch-style home
 

Section 8 Homeownership Program

The Grand Rapids Housing Commission (GRHC) offers eligible Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher recipients the opportunity to use their Section 8 Housing Assistance Payment toward a home mortgage payment rather than housing rental expenses. Working with West Michigan lenders and realtors, we have designed a flexible, supportive program that provides not only administrative assistance but also information families can use to plan and finance their home purchase.

Program Eligibility Requirements
Participants in the GRHC's Section 8 Homeownership Program must:
  • Currently receive Section 8 rental assistance through the GRHC and be in good standing with the GRHC.
  • Have received rental assistance through the GRHC for at least one year.
  • Have the minimum level of income required by the GRHC.
  • Have a history of full-time employment (waived for senior citizens and the disabled).
  • Be a first-time home buyer as defined by HUD and Fair Housing guidelines.
  • Agree to use the home as a sole residence, having no ownership interest in any other home.
  • Enter into a Statement of Homeowner Obligations agreement and comply with all provisions of that agreement.
  • Complete the formal application process established by the GRHC and meet all lender and GRHC program requirements.

GRHC staff will help current Section 8 recipients determine whether they meet all of these eligibility requirements and provide detailed application information to qualified families.

Homes Eligible for Purchase Under the Program
  • Must be a single-family home.
  • Must pass both a HUD Housing Quality Standards inspection and an independent professional inspection.

The Home Purchase Process
Once the GRHC determines that a Section 8 recipient is eligible to participate in the program, we issue the family a Homeownership Certificate. The family must:
  • Complete homeownership classes prior to purchasing a home. Classes cover such topics as budgeting and pre-purchase home inspections.
  • Locate a home to purchase. The purchase process must comply with HUD and GRHC requirements that are fully explained during the application process.
  • Find a GRHC-approved lender who agrees to finance the home purchase. Our staff helps program participants identify potential lenders.
  • Obtain a HUD Housing Quality Standards inspection as well as an independent professional inspection of the home.
  • Enter into a sales contract and finalize the home purchase.

Once a family has closed on a home purchase, the GRHC sends a predetermined Housing Assistance Payment to the family each month. Program participants are responsible for contributing their share of the mortgage payment and making the total monthly payment to their lender.

Continuing Homeowner Requirements
To continue to receive Housing Assistance Payments through the Section 8 Homeownership Program, a participating family must comply with the terms of its mortgage and all GRHC program requirements. These include:
  • Maintaining the condition of the home in compliance with HUD Housing Quality Standards.
  • Complying with use and occupancy standards:
  • The home must be the family's only residence.
  • The family cannot have an ownership interest in any other property.
  • The family must report changes in the composition of its household to the GRHC.
  • The family cannot sublet or lease the home.
  • Recertifying for the Homeownership Program each year. Program participants must recertify annually to continue receiving assistance.

To learn more about the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Program, click U.S. Department of HUD.