About The Program

The Ouachita Parish Police Jury administers the Tenant Voucher Program in collaboration with HUD to assist residents across Ouachita Parish. Families with income lower than 50% of the local median income, as well as specific categories of families with income up to 80% of the median income, are eligible for participation. This includes families currently receiving aid under the 1937 US Housing Act, like those displaced due to public housing demolition, and property owners choosing to opt out of project-based Section 8 housing assistance payment (HAP) contracts. Median income thresholds for each area are determined by HUD on an annual basis.

The housing authority (PHA) evaluates a family’s eligibility by comparing their gross annual income to the established limit for very low income in the area. The gross income must not exceed this limit.

Families can submit applications at the Ouachita Parish Housing Authority (PHA) during the designated application period. Once an application is submitted, it joins the waiting list. As a family’s turn comes up on the waiting list, they will receive a housing choice voucher from the PHA. Once the voucher is issued, it becomes the family’s responsibility to find suitable housing within the PHA’s jurisdiction, based on their specific needs. These needs are determined by the number of household members and their ages, and the PHA assists in identifying the appropriate unit size for them.