The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program is designed to help low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities afford safe and stable housing. It’s a critical program for millions of Americans, but it relies heavily on landlords being willing to participate. Unfortunately, the number of landlords willing to accept vouchers has been on the decline. A groundbreaking analysis by the Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy at New York University found that in 2022, nearly half of households awarded housing vouchers were unable to use them.

The problem has been rapidly worsening. From 2018 to 2022, the share of households unable to use their voucher increased from 35% to 45%.

Why? Some of the reasons can be boiled down to bureaucracy and the lengthy administrative processes that come with the program.

Landlords Love Incentives, But It's Not Enough

Many housing authorities offer cash incentives, extra security deposits, and even bonuses to encourage landlords to participate in the HCV program. And while landlords love these financial perks, they don't erase the negative experiences many landlords have had—or heard about—from others in the industry. Horror stories about long waits for payments, confusing paperwork, and slow communication have created a reputation that’s hard to overcome.

The reality is that landlords have other options. With the rise of short-term rental platforms like Airbnb or by simply renting at market rates, they can easily fill their units and avoid the headaches associated with voucher programs. For many landlords, it’s not just about the money; it’s about reducing stress and avoiding unnecessary administrative burdens.

When Money Isn't Enough, What Can Be Done?

The question becomes, how do we incentivize landlords when money alone doesn’t work? How can the Housing Choice Voucher Program be modernized to attract more landlords?

The solution starts with faster and more efficient processes. Streamlining the application process for landlords and cutting down the time it takes for inspections and payments are crucial steps. Modernizing the HCV program means using technology to reduce paperwork, automate document processing, and speed up decision-making.

At MABLE Software, we believe that eliminating the bureaucratic hurdles landlords face is key to improving participation. Our workflow automation tools are designed to help housing authorities streamline landlord participation, automate data entry, and ensure faster turnaround times—making it easier and more appealing for landlords to say "yes" to voucher holders.

By modernizing how the HCV program operates, we can create a better experience for landlords, ultimately increasing participation and helping more families find the affordable housing they need.

Reach out to MABLE Software today to see how we can help your housing authority streamline landlord participation and make the process smoother for everyone involved.

‍