The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program assists very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled, with the ability to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market.
How we help
Housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual who are able to find their own housing. TCOG administers this program in Fannin and Grayson counties.
Rental Assistance
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program provides rental assistance payments directly to private landlords.
This program offers eligible participants the ability to rent decent, safe housing and pay no more than 40% of their income for rent and utility expenses. There are subsidies available for one-, two-, three-, and four-bedroom homes including apartments, mobile homes, duplexes or any kind of dwelling which meets the standards set by the program.
Annual Income Limit Guidelines
| Household Size | Maximum Income Level (Per Year)* Fannin County | Maximum Income Level (Per Year)* Grayson County |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $27,450 | $28,850 |
| 2 | $31,400 | $33,000 |
| 3 | $35,300 | $37,100 |
| 4 | $39,200 | $41,200 |
| 5 | $42,350 | $44,500 |
| 6 | $45,500 | $47,800 |
| 7 | $48,650 | $51,100 |
| 8 | $51,750 | $54,400 |
| * Subject to change annually | ||
Waiting List Information
TCOG’s Section 8 Tenant-Based Housing Choice Voucher Waiting List for Fannin County is currently open and accepting applications. Please call 903-893-2161 ext. 3536 and leave your name and address for an application to be mailed to your household.
TCOG’s Section 8 Tenant-Based Housing Choice Voucher Waiting List for Grayson County is closed.
The Section 8 Project-Based Housing Choice Voucher Waiting Lists are currently open. TCOG has partnered with Texoma Housing Partners to administer their Project-Based units in 19 cities across the region. Those cities include Bells, Bonham, Celeste, Ector, Farmersville, Gunter, Honey Grove, Howe, Ladonia, Leonard, Pottsboro, Princeton, Savoy, Tioga, Tom Bean, Trenton, Van Alstyne, Whitewright, and Windom.
You can pick up an application at our office (1117 Gallagher Drive, Suite 200, Sherman, TX) or at THP (810 W 16th Street in Bonham, or 326 W Duke Street in Howe, TX.) Applications accepted between the hours of 8-11am, and 1-4pm only. Verification required to apply includes; IDs for everyone over the age of 18, Birth Certificates for all minors, and Social Security Cards for everyone in the household, verification of all income coming into the household (i.e. check stubs, award letters, banks statements, and verification of SNAP benefits). Also, if you are elderly (62 or over) or disabled, you can provide verification of all medical expenses. For questions, please call 903-583-3336.
IMPORTANT: TCOG’s Section 8 Program DOES NOT give out numbers of where you are on ANY waiting lists! Due to a heavy call volume, we DO NOT return waiting list calls unless you are updating information.
If you need to update your address or phone number with our office, you may call 903-893-2161, Ext. 3536 and leave a voicemail. We will update your records.
If you have recently applied for an open wait list, please understand our office must complete several verifications on your application. Please do not call to request information about your application. Once your application is processed, a letter will be mailed informing you of approval or denial to the address you provided.
Family Self-Sufficiency
The goal of the TCOG Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program is to provide clients with the tools necessary to achieve financial self-sufficiency.
Eligibility
Eligible clients are residents in the Section 8 Housing program who enter into a contract of participation which identifies individual goals that, once accomplished, will result in achieving self-sufficiency. When a client's income increases, the increased portion to the rental amount goes into an interest-bearing escrow account which the client will receive after successful completion of the contract of participation.
Services/Referrals
- Homemaking
- Parenting skills
- Money management
- Transportation
- Job training
- Child Care
- Education
- Substance abuse treatment
- Additional resources available based on individual contract of participation
Training
Referrals
Other Resources
Family Self-Sufficiency Advisory Board
Fannin County FSS Members
Deidra Boykin
Business Services Representative - Workforce Solutions Texoma
Tomyra Britt
Education - Grayson County College
Keith Burgos
Landlord - Private Business Sector
Ms. Christen Chaffin
PHA Representative - TCOG
Melissa Eason
Education - Sherman Library - Literacy Liason
Steve Flemmons
FSS Participant - Client
Eric Franklin
Veteran Representative - Department of Veteran Affairs
Miranda Hess
FSS Participant - Client
Amy Leach
Non-Profit Service Provider - United Way
Crystal Martinez
FSS Participant - Client
D. Newkirk
Financial Institution - City Credit Union
Sophia Pedraza
PHA Representative - Texoma Council of Governments
Marlene Phillips
Job Training Services - Grayson County College
Mark Schley
Homeowner - Client
Lindsey Tucker
FSS Participant - Client
Agendas
No Fannin County FSS Meeting agendas are available.
Meeting Minutes
No Fannin County FSS Meeting minutes are available.
Grayson County FSS Members
Deidra Boykin
Business Services Representative - Workforce Solutions Texoma
Tomyra Britt
Education - Grayson County College
Keith Burgos
Landlord - Private Business Sector
Ms. Christen Chaffin
PHA Representative - TCOG
Melissa Eason
Education - Sherman Library - Literacy Liason
Steve Flemmons
FSS Participant - Client
Eric Franklin
Veteran Representative - Department of Veteran Affairs
Miranda Hess
FSS Participant - Client
Amy Leach
Non-Profit Service Provider - United Way
Crystal Martinez
FSS Participant - Client
D. Newkirk
Financial Institution - City Credit Union
Sophia Pedraza
PHA Representative - Texoma Council of Governments
Marlene Phillips
Job Training Services - Grayson County College
Mark Schley
Homeowner - Client
Lindsey Tucker
FSS Participant - Client
Agendas
No Grayson County FSS Meeting agendas are available.
Meeting Minutes
No Grayson County FSS Meeting minutes are available.
Homeownership
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership program helps families to achieve the American dream of homeownership.
Enriched Education & Assistance
The families who are currently participating in the program receive educational instruction in the following areas:
- Creating a satisfactory credit history
- Saving for a down payment and closing costs
- Utilizing independent inspections
- Obtaining homebuyer education certifications
Frequently Asked Questions
- The person or persons applying must meet TCOG's definition of a "family"
- The family must be income eligible according to the income limits guidelines
- At least one family member must be a US citizen or eligible immigrant
- No family member has violated a rule that would be a cause to deny assistance
- Family Unification Program
(Fannin & Grayson counties) - Mainstream Program
(Grayson County only)
- Families: each child under 18 years of age counts as a deduction
- Adults who are full-time students (excepted head of household or spouse)
- Childcare costs which allow a parent to work
- Elderly, persons with disabilities
- Medical supplemental insurance other than Medicare/Medicaid
- Social Security cards for all household members
- Birth Certificates (if available)
- Proof of income for last 90 days (check stubs, child support, TANF/SNAP, pensions, Social Security, SSI, unemployment)
- Special purpose program verification (if applicable)
Documents and Forms
For Tenants
For Landlords
Meet the Team
Section 8 Housing
Program Staff
