Housing Program
Waiting List is currently closed.
The Ark-Tex Council of Governments (ATCOG) administers a Section 8 Rental Assistance Program funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the nine northeast counties of Texas.
1-800-988-3331
Public Meeting Notice - Annual PHA Plan
The Ark-Tex Council of Governments (ATCOG) will conduct a public meeting on September 12, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. at the main office located at 4808 Elizabeth Street, Texarkana, Texas, to receive comments on the Annual Plan for the Housing Choice Voucher Program. The plan is available for review on the outside bulletin board at the main office or can be viewed by clicking the link below. *Link to Annual Plan*
Public Notice to Landlords
One of the most well-known U.S. Housing Assistance programs for low-income families is the Housing Choice Voucher Program, previously known as “Section 8”. This is a government housing program in which the government subsidizes individuals’ rent payments. The Housing Choice Voucher Program isn’t suited for all landlords, but it works exceptionally well for most and plays a vital part in increasing income for those participating. If you’re considering becoming a landlord, please contact the Ark-Tex Council of Governments at 903-255-3551 or 903-255-3552.
About the Program
Learn more about what we do
Housing Choice Voucher Program
The ATCOG Housing program is assigned to provide improved living conditions for low-income families; promote freedom of housing choice; provide decent, safe and sanitary housing; and provide an incentive to private property owners to rent to low-income families by offering timely assistance payments and counseling to tenants on obligations under their lease. Eligibility for this program is based on “very low” income limits as published by HUD annually. Housing Choice Vouchers are issued to eligible families and remain with the family. Rental units must meet the Housing Quality Standards as established by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Rental units on the Housing Choice Voucher Program are not subject to Fair Market Rent limitations, but must meet the rent comparability test. This test is necessary to ensure that the landlord is not charging more rent for their unit than other landlords are charging for similar units in the same general area. The tenant’s maximum portion of rent is subtracted from the applicable Fair Market Rent to determine the amount ATCOG will pay. The tenant is responsible for the remaining portion. If a tenant’s portion exceeds 30% of family income, counseling is provided to make the family aware of its responsibilities. In no case will the tenant’s portion of rent plus the estimated utility cost exceed 40% of the family’s monthly adjusted income.
ATCOG Housing Choice Voucher Program Administrative Plan
Eligibility
Eligibility for assistance is based on family income as established by HUD, as well as other factors determined by federal regulation and local policy. Assistance is available through Housing Choice Vouchers.
To be eligible for the Section 8 program a person (family) must be very low income. This means your income must be at or below 50% of the area-wide median income for your county as determined by HUD. You must be a citizen or a non-citizen with “eligible immigration status.” You must
meet HUD’s definition of “family,” which includes most individuals, and households with an adult member who has a disability. Applicants may be denied Section 8 assistance if they do not meet this criteria.
Applicants may be denied Section 8 assistance if any member of the applicant’s household has:
been evicted for cause from other rental housing,
been terminated from another Section 8 program for cause,
committed recent drug related activity or exhibited violent criminal behavior,
committed fraud or criminal acts in connection with a federal housing program,
not reimbursed a HA for unpaid rent or damages, or currently owes money to a HA.
Termination of Tenant Assistance
Tenant failure to abide by the conditions of the voucher or the lease may result in termination of assistance.
Termination of Contract
Owner failure to abide by the conditions of the lease or Housing Contract may result in termination of the Contract.
Resources and Links
Utility Allowances by County:
Bowie Camp Cass Delta Franklin Hopkins Lamar Morris Red River Titus Upshur Wood
Status Information and Updates
Report a change: Change Report Form
Re-Exam Packet Agreement - Please only complete this packet if you've received a reexamination letter from Ark-Tex.
New PHA-WEB Portal Links
Must be registered to use these links.
Waiting List Online Applications
Waiting List Status/Position Lookup
Applicant Portal Login/Registration
Tenant Portal Login/Registration
Landlord Portal Login/Registration Payment Status
Other resources
Family Self Sufficiency Program
Links to Federal and State resources.
Landlord Packet
Waiting List Application
The waiting list is currently closed.
Notice: If you have already applied for the waiting list in the past for any county, your information may already exist in the system. If that is the case please use the Change Report Form to update your contact information, address, or to make any other changes.
If you would like to apply for the waiting list, please use the Waiting List Application. Names from the list will be chosen by a lottery system. Those needing assistance or without access to the website will not have a disadvantage.
When the waiting list application is open for enrollment, please use our waiting list application to apply for housing. Notice is given when the waiting list application is open for each county. Please check our website periodically for waiting list availability.