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Housing - Garland Housing Agency

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1. What if I have a fair housing complaint against my current landlord?

Visit the Fair Housing section to see how to make a complaint.

2. What are the income limits for receiving Section 8 Rental Assistance?

The income limits are as follows:

Size of Family	Income
1	$31,150
2	$35,600
3	$40,050
4	$44,500
5	$48,100
6	$51,650
7	$55,200
8	$58,750

3. What are the latest utility allowances?

View information about the latest utility allowances (PDF).

4. Who is responsible for the security deposit or deposit on utilities?

The tenant is responsible for all deposits. The Garland Housing Agency does not provide funds for these expenses.

5. How much rent does a Housing Choice Voucher holder pay?

The tenant is responsible for rent in the amount of 30% of the annual adjusted gross income of the family.

6. Must a landlord rent to a Housing Choice Voucher holder if there is a unit available?

No. The decision to rent to a tenant is the landlord's, as is the responsibility for checking credit and rental histories.

7. Can a Housing Voucher be transferred to another agency?

A voucher can be transferred to another agency, unless that agency is within the Garland Housing Agency's jurisdiction (50 mile radius). In that case, there is no need to transfer. The Garland Housing Agency will service vouchers within our jurisdiction. The process of transferring to another housing agency/authority is called Portability.

8. Who finds the unit to live in?

Voucher holders find their own housing units. All units must pass a Housing Quality Standards inspection by a Garland Housing Agency inspector before approval.

9. What area(s) does Garland Housing cover?

You can view GHA's jurisdiction here: Garland Housing Agency Jurisdiction Map.

You can also use our Interactive Jurisdiction Map that allows you to enter the address of a rental unit to determine if the unit falls within GHA's coverage area. GHA Interactive Jurisdiction Map 

GHA covers all areas located within the RED outline. This includes/covers all of Dallas, Rockwall and Collin counties along with portions of:

• Denton (south of E. University Blvd, east of FM 423 & east of SH121 Business)
• Kaufman County (west of State Highway 205, west of FM 148 & north of 175)

10. Can a person take an application home to fill out in advance?

Online applications are only accepted when the waiting list is open. Garland Housing Agency will no longer process hard copy applications.

11. If a family is on the waiting list in another city, can it transfer to the Garland Housing Agency waiting list?

No. Each agency maintains its own list. However, you may apply to as many agencies as feasible in your attempt to get housing assistance.

12. Does a Voucher holder have to live in an apartment?

No. There are single family houses, townhouses, duplexes and apartments on the Garland Housing Agency program.

13. How many Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers are available through the City of Garland Housing Agency?

Currently, the City of Garland Housing Agency administers over 1,300 Housing Choice Vouchers.

14. How much is the deposit on a unit?

Deposits are set by the landlords and utility companies, not by Garland Housing Agency.

15. Is an individual eligible for housing if he/she has a job?

Yes, as long as the family's total adjusted gross income falls within the guidelines.

16. How long does it take to get rental assistance once a family is on the waiting list?

At this time the Garland Housing Agency does not know how long a person will have to remain on the waiting list. You can check your position number and status by visiting the waiting list website.

17. What if there is an emergency?

Presently, there are no emergency shelters in Garland. People needing emergency assistance are referred to private social organizations or to shelters in Dallas.

18. What do we bring when we apply?

Everyone must present a picture identification at the time of application.

19. How do you get on the Garland Housing Agency waiting list?

The Garland Housing Agency's waiting list is currently closed to new applications.

20. How does an individual or family get on Section 8 in Garland?

The demand for rental assistance is greater than the number of available Housing Choice Vouchers. The Garland Housing Agency must wait for families to leave the program before adding new families. When families move off the program, vacated slots are filled from the Garland Housing Agency’s waiting list of qualified applicants.

21. Does the City of Garland have public housing?

The Garland Housing Agency only administers the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8).

22. How does Section 8 Rental Assistance differ from public housing?

Public Housing units are specific areas and complexes set aside for housing families. Section 8 units, however, are located in privately owned multi and single family dwellings throughout the City of Garland and surrounding communities, allowing tenants to choose the type of unit and the area in which they want to live.

23. Does the Garland Housing Agency offer the Housing Choice Voucher Home Ownership program?

Yes, however to be eligible for the Garland Housing Agency home ownership program, a family must meet the following criteria:

• The family must be a current voucher program participant for at least one year.
• The family must qualify as a first-time homeowner (no member of the family has had any ownership interest in a principal residence in the past 5 years).
• The annual income of at least one adult family member who will own the home must be equal to or greater $10,300.
• For disabled families annual income must be equal to the monthly Federal Supplemental Security Income times 12.
• If any family member has previously defaulted on a mortgage when participating in the voucher home ownership option, the family is ineligible for the homeownership option.
• Except for cooperative members who have acquired cooperative ownership shares to commencement of home ownership assistance, no family member may have a present ownership interest in a residential property.
• The family must also satisfy any other initial eligibility requirements established by the Garland Housing Agency.
• The family can have any repayment agreements with the Garland Housing Agency or any other housing agency/authority.

Please contact your case worker for more details and how to apply.