HomeMy WebLinkAboutehv-recertification-guideEmergency Housing Voucher (EHV) Recertification Guide
Households leased up with EHVs, like other voucher holders, need to complete an annual recertification (aka. recert) with the
housing authority that issued the voucher1. If this recert process is not completed, households can be at risk of returning to
homelessness unless they are able to take on the full portion of their rent. Each housing authority has its own recertification
requirements and processes. Below is a breakdown of those processes by housing authority.
City of Alameda (AHA)
Timing
Recert packets will be sent out 120 days before the anniversary
of a voucher lease up date. Notifications are sent by automated
email to the account associated with the tenant’s rent café account. If not received within this timeframe, reach out to
assigned caseworker (see “who to contact”).
Tenants are given 14 days to return recert packet, after which a
reminder will be sent. This reminder will allow an additional 14 days to return the recert packet, after which a termination
letter will be sent if recert documents are still not received by
AHA.
Completed recert packets will be submitted online through the rent café portal. Pictures can be uploaded in the system, if
needed. If recert documents are not submitted through the
portal, AHA will send a follow up e-mail requesting the
documents, which can then be submitted either online or to hcvsubmission@alamedahsg.org
Who to Contact
Questions about completing the recert can be sent to assigned
Berkeley (BHA)
Timing
Recert packets will be sent out about 90 days before the
anniversary of a voucher lease up date. At this time, packets are only being sent to tenants directly by mail. BHA is working to
expand capacity to also notify providers.
Tenant has ~3 weeks to gather and submit documents, due date
will be noted on packet.
Who to Contact
At the end of the packet there will be contact information for
the assigned BHA housing specialist to whom the documents
and question should be sent.
Housing Specialist assignments are based on tenant’s last name
and can be reviewed at this link:
https://bha.berkeleyca.gov/about-bha/berkeley-housing-authority-contact-list
Provider can call reception at (510-981-5470) if packet was not
received within 90 days of anniversary date and/or to confirm
assigned housing specialist.
County of Alameda (HACA)
Timing
Recert packets will typically be sent out about 120 days before
the anniversary of a voucher lease up date. If packet has not
been received within 30 days of anniversary date, reach out to
assigned case worker at HACA for more information.
Recert packets are typically due on the 1st of the month in the
month someone originally leased up (ex. If leased on April 25,
2023, the recert will be due April 1, 2024). There may be some
scenarios where the due date is not the 1st of the month;
please refer to the recert packet to confirm.
Packets are being sent to tenants by mail and HACA staff follow
up with phone calls (if there is an active number). The HCS
supervisor associated with the tenant’s file will also be notified
by email.
Who to Contact
Communication with assigned case worker is strongly
encouraged. Their information should be included on the
packet. Providers can also reach HACA by phone, email, or in
Oakland (OHA)
Timing
Recert notices will be mailed to the tenant approximately 8
months after the original voucher was leased up. The HCS
supervisor associated with the tenant’s file will also be notified
by email
Households will have approximately 30 days to complete and
return recertification documents.
Who to Contact
Once complete, packets and supplemental documents can be
sent to: pcompliance@oakha.org
1 If a voucher has been ported to a different PHA, the PHA in whose jurisdiction the unit is actually located will conduct annual
recertifications