Housing Choice Voucher Home Ownership Program
Learn more about Get The FactsWho can participate in the Homeownership Program?
Anyone who is participating in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Rental Assistance Program may apply to participate in the Homeownership Program
How do I apply?
Current Housing Choice Voucher participants may apply by contacting the Homeownership Counselor. If the family meets the eligibility criteria, an Intent to Purchase will be executed, giving the family an opportunity to pursue Homeownership.
What if I am disabled or elderly?
Families with an elderly or disabled head or spouse may also qualify for the Homeownership Program.
Does the Section 8 office finance the home for me?
No. Financing must be secured through a private market lender, which meets the requirements of the Voucher Homeownership Program. The family must identify a lender, make application for the loan and be approved for financing.
Will the Section 8 office help me with the down payment and closing costs?
No. The family is responsible to meet all down payment, closing cost and incidental expenses required by the lender.
Can I buy any home that I want?
Yes, with certain limitations. The home must be located within the city limits of Bowling Green and must pass inspections by the Section 8 Inspector and an Independent Home Inspector. Certain "Special Housing Types" are not eligible for the program. Homes that are not eligible include single room occupancy, congregate housing, shared housing, manufactured housing (mobile homes) and cooperative housing.
What if I try to buy a home but am unable to find one or can't get financing?
If you are unable to complete the homeownership process within the time limit or just change your mind and decide to rent instead, you may be eligible to continue participation in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Rental Assistance Program. If your landlord agrees, you may continue to rent at your current unit or you may request a moving voucher to move to a new rental unit. If eligible to move, you will be given 60 days to locate a new approved rental unit.
Family Responsibilties
- Selection of the unit
- Securing financing
- Down payment, closing costs, incidental expenses. At least two months of PITI or $500 (whichever is greatest) must come from the family's own resources toward the purchase of the home.
- Maintenance of the unit
- Timely payments and non-default
- Execution of Intent to Purchase and Homeownership Agreement
- Independent home inspection
- Provide copies of the contract of sale, independent home inspection, underwriting compliance verification, good faith estimate and deed
- If participating in the Family Self-Sufficiency Program be in good standing
- Employed household member must maintain full time employment while receiving mortgage assistance
- Other responsibilities may apply for those in the Family Self-Sufficiency Program
- Complete pre-purchase and post-homeownership counseling
Household annual gross income must equal or be greater than $10,300.00 and at least one adult household member must meet a minimum employment history standard equal to an average of at least 30 hours per week for at least 10 months out of the past 12 months. Working families cannot be receiving TANF and other incomes defined as Welfare Assistance.
For families with an elderly or disabled head or spouse or families requiring homeownership assistance as a reasonable accommodation households, the annual gross income must equal or be greater than $7,236.00 and do not have to meet a minimum employment requirement. Elderly/Disabled households also can include TANF in their household income.If family is participating in Family Self Sufficiency Program they must be in good standing. The family must be a first-time homeowner. The family must not have defaulted on any prior HUD subsidized mortgage.At least one adult household member must successfully complete the Pre-Purchase and Post-Homeownership Counseling Program.The family must occupy the subsidized unit as its primary residence.The family must have no outstanding debt to any PHA.
The family will be subject to and must agree to abide by all federal regulations and local policy pertaining to the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.This is a program of the Housing Division of Bowling Green's Department of Housing and Community Development. The program is funded with Housing Choice Voucher Program funds received through the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
For more information or to apply for the program, contact:
Department of Housing and Community Development
Housing Division
P. O. Box 430
Bowling Green, KY 42102-0430Fax: (270) 393-3168
Phone: (270) 393-3113
TDD: 1-800-648-6056
(for hearing impaired)
Email: