🏘 Section 8 Policy & Guidelines

At GPS Renting, we welcome residents who receive housing assistance through the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) and other approved subsidy programs.

Our approach ensures legal compliance, equal opportunity, and smooth coordination between owners, residents, and local housing authorities.

1️⃣ Our Approach

We treat Section 8 applicants using the same published screening criteria we apply to all residents—credit, rental history, income verification, and landlord references—while following all applicable Fair Housing, Source of Income, and Seattle Fair Chance Housing laws.

• We cannot reject an applicant because they use a voucher.
• We may screen for other legitimate qualifications that apply equally to every applicant.
• In Seattle, the first-come, first-served rule requires us to approve the first qualified applicant who meets all criteria.

2️⃣ Owner Participation Requirements

When an approved Section 8 applicant selects your property, several administrative steps occur:

1. Housing Authority Inspection (HQS) –
   The local Public Housing Authority (PHA) will inspect the unit to confirm it meets HUD Housing Quality Standards.
• If deficiencies are found, you’ll receive a written list of repairs.
• Most issues must be corrected within ~30 days (or sooner for safety items).
• Once repairs are complete, the PHA conducts a re-inspection.
2. Repair Responsibility –
   The owner is responsible for completing all repairs required to pass inspection. GPS can coordinate licensed vendors on your behalf upon request.🧰 Need help? Contact your Pod Leader to arrange trusted vendors for HQS repairs, cleaning, or maintenance.
3. Lease and Rent Approval –
   After passing inspection, the PHA reviews the lease and verifies the rent meets HUD’s local payment standards.
• The PHA pays a portion of the rent directly to GPS Renting (on behalf of the owner).
• The resident pays the remaining portion, typically 30-40% of their income.
4. Ongoing Compliance –
   Each year the PHA re-inspects the unit and recertifies the tenant’s eligibility.
   Owners must maintain the home to HQS standards to continue receiving payments.

3️⃣ Legal Requirements in Washington & Seattle

• Source of Income Protection (RCW 59.18.255):
  Landlords may not deny a qualified applicant because their rent is paid through Section 8 or any other lawful source of income.
• Seattle Fair Chance Housing & First-Come Rule:
  Seattle adds stricter rules:
• Landlords must accept all legal income sources, including vouchers.
• The first qualified applicant must be offered the unit.
• Non-Discriminatory Screening:
  Owners may still apply neutral criteria (credit, references, income ratio, etc.) as long as they are used consistently for all applicants and not as a pretext to exclude voucher holders.

Failure to comply with these protections can result in legal penalties or loss of rental eligibility within the program.

4️⃣ If a Unit Fails Inspection

If the home does not pass the PHA inspection:

1. You’ll receive a written deficiency report.
2. Make the required repairs within the specified timeframe (often 30 days).
3. The PHA will re-inspect or may accept photo verification for minor items.
4. Once approved, payments begin or continue.
5. Repeated failures or missed deadlines can delay payments or remove the unit from the program.

5️⃣ Our Commitment to You

GPS Renting handles the entire coordination process — from communicating with the housing authority to managing inspections and lease paperwork — so you stay compliant without extra stress.
Our team ensures every participant is treated fairly, your property meets all standards, and your rent income remains secure.

💚 Professional · Honest · Kind means we support housing for all qualified residents — while protecting your investment with clarity and care.