The Rental Assistance, or Section 8, Program receives federal funding to provide Housing Choice Vouchers to assist 900 households with rent payment assistance in the City of Dubuque.  Individuals and families wishing to participate fill out a rental application, submit to a background check, and after approval, are issued a Housing Choice Voucher they may use at a rental unit of their choosing.  If the landlord of the rental unit agrees to lease to the household under the Housing Choice Voucher Program and the unit is approved by Housing & Community Development Department, then the Housing Authority will make monthly rental assistance payments to the landlord.  Generally, participating households pay about 30% of their monthly adjusted income towards their rent.  While receiving rental assistance, Section 8 participants have the opportunity to engage in services and programming to develop their skills demonstrate their abilities. 

Section 8 newsletters are available by clicking on the links below:
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Property Owners choosing to lease rental units under the Housing Choice Voucher Program select their own tenants and receive a variety of supports including free local criminal background checks for prospective tenants. 

If you are currently receiving Rental Assistance, you may qualify for a 50% reduction of the monthly refuse collection & stormwater fee.  Click on the link to Utility Billing to find out more!

The Resident Advisory Board (RAB) offers an opportunity for Section 8 participants to provide input on the policies and procedures for the Housing & Community Development Dept. Section 8 Program.  The RAB meets monthly.  If you would like to attend the next Resident Advisory Board meeting, please call 589-4230 for more information.

Did you know Section 8 can pay a little more for rent in certain areas of town?  Because rent tends to be more expensive on the West End, Housing & CDD Dept. asked HUD for permission to raise the Voucher Payment Standard for some areas on the West End. 

These maps outline the areas of Dubuque where Housing can pay a little bit more than for a similar rental unit located outside of these areas.

Exception Rent Area 8.01                         Exception Rent Area 12.01
Exception Rent Area 8.02                         Exception Rent Area 12.02
                                                              Exception Rent Area 12.03