Low-income families needing rental assistance can soon pick up applications for assistance.

“We take applications for rental assistance,” said Opp Housing Authority Director Beverly Barber. “Applications may be picked up at Opp Housing Authority, 800 Barnes St., Opp, beginning Aug. 17, until further notice.

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

OHA Section 8 Program administers vouchers subsidizing low income families and individuals not only in Opp, but all of Covington County.

“It is income-based,” Barber 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.”

It’s been more than a year since the housing authority was able to collect applications.

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.

Barber said that OHA encourages people with or without disabilities to apply.

“OHA’s objective is to comply in letter and spirit with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and all other applicable federal laws and regulations to ensure that occupancy in assisted housing is administered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status and national origin,” she said.

The OHA office is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m., until 6 p.m.

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