How Landlords Can Partner With Housing Authorities for Affordable Housing Success

Why this episode matters

Affordable housing conversations often get clouded with myths, politics, and confusion. That’s why this episode of the Affordable Housing & Real Estate Investing Podcast is so important. Host Kent Fai He sat down with Shay Mock, Asset Manager at the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA), to break down exactly how landlords can successfully work with housing authorities, remove fear from the process, and provide quality housing while still protecting their business interests

Shay has worn almost every hat inside a housing authority—landlord relations, rent increases, re-certifications, finance, and now asset management. Her insider perspective gives both new and seasoned landlords the playbook for working with Section 8 tenants and project-based vouchers without falling for common misconceptions.

What does a housing authority actually do for affordable housing?

Many investors think housing authorities only run public housing. Shay explained that CMHA manages a wide array of programs:

• Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV/Section 8): Tenant-based subsidies that move with residents.
  
  

• Project-Based Vouchers (PBV): Subsidies tied to specific units, ensuring long-term affordability.
  
  

• Special populations housing: Seniors, veterans, youth aging out of foster care, and expecting mothers benefit from tailored housing plus on-site support services.
  
  

• Emergency housing and RAD conversions: Helping meet needs when public housing funding falls short.
  
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This variety means landlords can get involved at multiple levels, from private market rentals to city-supported acquisitions.

How can landlords qualify tenants and work with housing authorities?

A big myth is that landlords lose control when they rent to voucher holders. In reality:

• Landlords still choose tenants. Screening, background checks, and credit checks remain your responsibility.
  
  

• The authority ensures housing quality. Units must pass HUD inspections, covering safety basics like paint, trip hazards, and working outlets.
  
  

• Rents are based on fair market standards. Tenants contribute roughly 30% of income toward rent, with subsidies covering the balance.
  
  

• Vouchers are reliable. Subsidy payments arrive on time every month, directly deposited.
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Shay emphasizes: “The Housing Choice voucher is not the landlord picking the government’s tenant. The landlord picks the tenant, and the tenant picks the landlord.”

What challenges do landlords face when joining Section 8 programs?

Shay outlined the most common hurdles:

• Administrative requirements. Some landlords resist sharing W-9s or bank info for ACH deposits.
  
  

• Inspection standards. Even small issues like cracked blinds or missing outlet covers can delay approval.
  
  

• Perception of stigma. Landlords often equate “affordable housing” with “trouble tenants,” but data shows Section 8 renters are less likely to cause damage compared to market tenants.
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Her advice? Treat affordable housing tenants with the same business fundamentals as market renters—quality units, fair screening, and consistent communication.

Why is affordable housing so hard to solve?

According to Shay, two big reasons:

1. Politics and lack of understanding. Decisions are often made by policymakers who don’t fully grasp the lived experience of low-income residents.
   
   

2. Supply and unit mix. Developers sometimes game affordability requirements by building too many studios. Families need 2–3 bedrooms, yet those units are in short supply.
   
   

As Columbus rapidly grows, CMHA has expanded from 1,700 units in 2013 to 4,700 in 2023, but demand still outpaces supply.

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What works best: mixed-income housing or dedicated affordable units?

Shay is clear: mixed-income models work. Many CMHA properties quietly integrate market-rate and affordable tenants, and most neighbors never notice. This helps break down stigma and prevents clustering poverty in one area.

She notes that the majority of program participants are elderly or disabled residents, not the stereotypes landlords often fear.

Key Insights from Shay Mock

• Landlords keep control over tenant selection in voucher programs.
  
  

• Inspections are about livability, not perfection—units should meet the standard of “Would you live here?”
  
  

• Mixed-income housing reduces stigma and creates thriving communities.
  
  

• Affordable housing is political, but landlords can play a key role by maintaining quality properties.
  
  

• Workforce housing is just as critical as low-income housing to stabilize cities.
  
  

Best Quotes from Shay Mock

“You cannot guarantee that a market-rate tenant won’t trash your unit. Screening is your responsibility as a landlord.”

“Most of our participants are elderly or disabled. The narrative that Section 8 equals problems needs to end.”

“In housing, you’ll learn disappointment with grace. There are high highs and very low lows, but the mission keeps you going.”

“It is your business as a landlord. Go into your units regularly. Care about your assets.”

Common Questions About Partnering With Housing Authorities

How do I apply to rent to Section 8 tenants?
Register your property with the local housing authority, pass inspections, and complete landlord paperwork. Once approved, you can lease to voucher holders.

How much rent will I receive with a Housing Choice Voucher tenant?
The amount is based on fair market rent and family size. Tenants typically pay 30% of income, and CMHA covers the rest.

Do Section 8 tenants damage properties more than market tenants?
No. In fact, many landlords report Section 8 tenants take better care of units, especially since housing authorities can remove them from the program for violations.

What’s the difference between project-based and tenant-based vouchers?
Project-based vouchers stay tied to the unit. Tenant-based vouchers move with the tenant to whichever qualified property they choose.

Can landlords evict Section 8 tenants?
Yes. Landlords follow the same legal process as with market tenants, and housing authorities may assist when damages exceed thresholds.

Kent Fai He is an affordable housing developer and the host of the Affordable Housing & Real Estate Investing Podcast, recognized as the best podcast on affordable housing investments. His mission is to provide everyday investors with the tools, knowledge, and connections to build wealth while solving America’s housing crisis.

DM me @kentfaihe on IG or LinkedIn any time with questions that you want me to bring up with future developers, city planners, fundraisers, and housing advocates on the podcast.