The Gary Housing Authority (GHA) has opened its waiting list for Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and will continue to take online applications through Sunday, May 28, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. central, with a new online application process. So far, GHA has received over 10,000 applications via the online application system. The Housing Choice Voucher program provides rental assistance to individuals and families who meet eligibility guidelines by paying a portion of rent directly to private rental property owners.
The online application is available at garyhousing.hcvlist.org. Interested families and individuals may apply 24 hours a day during the application period, using a computer or mobile device with Internet access. Applicants should have a valid, working email address. Free email accounts are widely available online, and free Internet access is available at Gary and Lake County public libraries. No applications will be handed out or accepted in person, or by mail, email, or fax at any GHA office.
At the end of the application period, GHA will use a randomized computer process for all applications received, to select up to 5,000 applicants for placement on the Housing Choice Voucher waiting list. A preference for assistance will be given to applicants who live or work in the jurisdiction of the GHA HCV Program, and applicants who are elderly (62+) and/or disabled. As funding is available, GHA will contact applicants for program eligibility determinations.
“Our voucher program is presently funded to assist 1,750 local families, but our research indicates that as many as 4,000 Gary families could be eligible for Section 8 housing assistance,” said Julian Marsh, Gary Housing Authority Executive Director. “The housing authority’s new online application will help to make the application easier to access, as well as more streamlined and efficient, and we’re hoping that all eligible and interested families and individuals will apply.”
A dedicated call center is available to provide support to applicants at (219) 390-9115 or (888) 393-3263 (toll free), between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. central every day during the application period. In order to receive the best service, applicants are advised to call this number and should not come to and/or contact the Gary Housing Authority offices.
