Housing Choice Voucher Lottery

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2016

In June 2015, Boulder County Housing Authority (BCHA) began accepting applications for Housing Choice Vouchers (HCVs), upgrading its tenant selection process from a date-and-time waitlist to a lottery. At the same time, the system was further advanced from a paper application program to an all online process. These changes allowed for applicants to more easily apply for housing assistance and for staff to use their time more efficiently. BCHA’s HCV program currently administers 742 vouchers which provide rental assistance for eligible low-income households. BCHA gives preference to households which have an elderly or disabled household member, and/or households which have children, serving some of the county’s most vulnerable members. With an overall vacancy rate below 2 percent, Boulder County is currently facing an affordable housing crisis, and the need for assistance is rising. Simplifying and updating the tenant selection process allows BCHA to better serve residents. Many teams within Boulder County’s Department of Housing and Human Services worked in collaboration on this project, which resulted in receipt of more than 1,000 applications over the two-day submission period. This project would not have achieved such success without a committed, cohesive and capable group. This was a true depiction of team work, resulting in better staff efficiency and improved customer service.