Section 8

The Section 8 program is rental assistance for families with low income. Rental assistance is paid directly to the landlord on behalf of the voucher holder and family if applicable. Rental assistance is based on a percentage of gross annual household income.

The Douglas County HRA Section 8 covers Douglas and Pope Counties.

Income Limits Effective 5/12/2026

Payment Standards Effective 1/1/2026

Income and Family Changes

Participants of the Douglas County HRA Housing Choice Voucher program MUST submit income and family changes within 10 days of the change.

Please complete the form for any of the following household changes:

• Update phone number

• Update a household member’s legal name

• Correct a household members date of birth

• Remove a household member

• Request to add a household member or live-in aid

• Report a change in household income

• Report a change in household assets

• Report a change in childcare expenses

• Report a change in health, medical, or disability expenses

• other
  

Turning in Change forms and Documentation:

• Drop off at the DCHRA office: 700 Northside Drive NE Alexandria MN 56308

• Mail to: DCHRA PO Box 965, Alexandria, MN 56308

• Fax: 320-762-3034

Moving with Assistance

Section 8 vouchers can be transferred form one unit to another. One move in a 12-month period is preferred. Current landlords need proper notice in accordance with your lease. A Request for Tenancy Approval (RTA) form can be obtained form the DCHRA office for you and the new landlord you are going to rent from can complete it. Once the RTA is completed and returned to the office the unit will be approved or denied, the inspection will be completed, and rent will be calculated. REMINDER: The RTA should be completed and turned in as close to the 15th of the month so all paperwork can be completed before the 1st of the month. Security/damage deposits, utility deposits, and the cost of moving are cost that ARE NOT associated with Section 8 rental assistance and need to be taken care of on your own.

Click the button below to download the Local Housing List (PDF)

Portability

Since Section 8 is federally funded you can use your voucher anywhere in the United States. The process is called “Port Out” if you are transferring your file out of DCHRA to another housing authority or “Port In” if you are transferring from another housing authority to DCHRA.

Port - In

If you are wanting to port to DCHRA you will need to have your current housing authority you want your file transferred to DCHRA. They should recertify your file to send the most current income information. Your file can be Mailed: DCHRA PO Box 965 Alexandria, MN 56308; Faxed: (320) 762-3034; emailed: section8@douglascountyhra.org. Once your file is received a portability briefing will be scheduled.

Port – Out

If you wish to relocate to a different state or county you are responsible for finding the contact information for the housing authority that covers where you want to live. Complete the Request to Port form and turn into DCHRA.   You will need to find a unit in that jurisdiction that works for their payment standard (every county is different). It is a best practice to locate a unit prior to giving proper notice to your landlord that you are moving out of their unit.  A recertification will be completed to provide the new housing authority your most recent income information then your file will be transferred.

Click the button below to download the Request to Port form.