Low-income families needing rental assistance have until the end of the month to turn in their applications.

“We take applications for rental assistance,” said Opp Housing Authority Director Beverly Barber. “Because we take so many applications we are not able to cover the market. We just want it to be known that May 31st is the last day.”

Barber was referring to the Housing Choice Voucher Program, also known as Section 8 Rental Assistance.

“It will be suspended on that day,” she said. “And we most likely won’t open up for applications again for a year or two,” she said. “We only have 100 vouchers countywide.”

Barber said that they have collected 85 applications.

“It is income-based,” she said. “Those participants can live in houses, mobile homes, nicer apartments. It’s not living in public housing, which many people call the ‘projects.’ It’s a more attractive program than public housing. You’re actually living out of public housing.”

Section 8 housing is run by the federal government and handled locally by public housing agencies.

Those who meet requirements receive vouchers to use toward rent.

All outstanding applications must be completed and returned before May 31.

Anyone with questions, can contact the Opp Housing Authority at 334-493-9741.