The Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA) administers federal Housing Choice Vouchers, but landlord participation is voluntary because Texas Local Government Code Section 250.007 preempts mandatory acceptance.
HACA is the largest voucher administrator in Travis County, serving thousands of households through Tenant-Based Vouchers, Project-Based Vouchers, Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH), and Emergency Housing Vouchers. Eligible tenants receive a subsidy covering the gap between 30 percent of adjusted income and a payment standard tied to HUD Fair Market Rent. Landlords who participate sign a HAP contract, pass a Housing Quality Standards inspection, and attach the federal HCV tenancy addendum to the lease. Texas HB 1510 prohibits any Austin ordinance forcing acceptance, so HACA mitigates with a Landlord Engagement program, signing bonuses in tight submarkets, and a public preferred-landlord directory.
After a HAP contract is signed, landlords must comply with HQS inspection standards or lose subsidy payments. Refusing to renew because the tenant uses a voucher may trigger federal good-cause review under HCV regulations, though pure non-participation is lawful.
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See how Austin's section 8 voucher acceptance rules stack up against other locations.
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