The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program, as designed by HUD, encourages communities to develop strategies to assist families participating in the Section 8 program to obtain employment that will lead to economic independence and self-sufficiency.

In order to help FSS participants meet their goals, the Pomona Housing Authority, works with local service agencies, schools, businesses, and other local partners to develop a network of resources that gives participating FSS family members the skills and experience necessary to enable them to obtain employment.

Families who receive Section 8 housing assistance through the Pomona Housing Authority are eligible to apply for the City's FSS program. The Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator will determine if applicants are qualified. Participation in the FSS program is voluntary.

If you are currently a Section 8 Housing Voucher tenant, contact the Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator to see if you qualify for this program. If you do qualify, you will be referred to the Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator to proceed with the application process.

For more information regarding this program please contact the Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator at 909-620-2467.

The unit must meet HUD Housing Quality Standards (HQS) and the rent must be approvable within HUD Fair Market Rents.

You may call the Pomona Housing Authority to have the unit listed on a list of available properties. You may also advertise in the local newspaper with the phrase "will accept Section 8."

Yes, but it must not be in excess of private practice, or in excess of amounts charged to unassisted tenants.

• The owner must maintain the unit in accordance with Housing Quality Standards.
• Set reasonable rules about the use of the unit and common areas.
• Do not enter a unit without the tenant's permission and proper notice except for emergencies or tenant requested repairs.
• Collect appropriate security deposits.
• Comply with Equal Opportunity requirements.
• Enforce tenant obligations under the lease.
• Comply with terms and conditions of the lease and HAP contract.
• Take action through court to evict when tenant violates the lease.
• For more information about the Section 8 program browse the Official HUD Website

The Section 8 Program provides for direct monthly payments to property owners on behalf of qualified families to cover a portion of the rent. Families can stay where they are currently living or move anywhere within the City of Pomona, as long as the housing unit they choose meets certain housing quality standards and the landlord agrees to participate in the rental assistance program.

A housing assistance payment (HAP) must comply with their rental agreement and the Section 8 program requirements. The family then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program.

• Tenant's Role: Each Housing Choice Voucher participant must comply with their lease agreement and the Housing Choice Voucher Program requirements. Each tenant is expected to pay their share of the rent on time, maintain the unit in good condition and notify the Pomona Housing Authority of any changes in income or family composition.
• Owner's Role: The owner must provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing for the contracted rental unit. The rental unit must pass housing quality standards and be maintained consistently according to those standards for as long as the owner receives housing assistance payments.
• Housing Authority's Role: The Pomona Housing Authority administers the program locally, providing rental assistance that enables families to secure suitable housing.
• HUD's Role: HUD provides funds that allow the Pomona Housing Authority to make housing assistance payments on behalf of eligible program participants.

A family or individual interested in participating in the Section-8 Program must complete an application during a published application period. The Pomona Housing Authority will determine whether your families' composition and income qualify you for assistance.

Applications for the Section 8 program are accepted only during specific application periods. These application periods are publicized through the local newspaper, the City website, the City of Pomona's Kiosk Information System and other public venues. Only during this publicized period may you request and submit an application to the Housing Authority for this program. When you submit your application it will be time and date stamped and you will be placed on a waiting list accordingly to date and time received.

Since the demand for housing assistance often exceeds the limited resources available, long waiting periods are common. There is no way to determine how long you will be on the Section 8 waiting list. Names are taken in the order in which they are received. Once your name is reached on the waiting list, Housing Authority will contact you. Your eligibility status will be re-determined at that time and if you are eligible you will receive a Housing Choice Voucher.

Once you receive a Housing Voucher, you have a set period of time pursuant to federal regulations, from the date the Voucher is issued to find a suitable place to live within the city limits of the City of Pomona. The unit the family chooses to live in must be at or below the Fair Market Rent (FMR) limits and be able to pass a Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection. FMR's are maximum rent level set by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the area based on typical cost and unit size.

Portability applies to families moving out of or into the PHA's jurisdiction within the United States and it's territories.

Within the limitations of the regulations and agency policy, a participant family has the right to receive tenant based voucher assistance to lease a unit outside the Housing Authority's jurisdiction or anywhere in the United States with a tenant based program. When a family request to move outside of the PHA's jurisdiction, the request must specify the area to which the family wants to move. If there is more than one PHA in the area in which the family has selected a unit, the PHA will choose the receiving PHA. A family will not be allowed to exercise portability during the initial year of issuance of the Housing Voucher.