HANO Section 8: What New Orleans Landlords Should Know
HANO’s executive director explains how vouchers work, what landlords can screen for, and how agents can help fill vacancies—fast.
The big story: Marjorianna Willman, Executive Director, Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO), joined KW New Orleans to demystify Housing Choice Vouchers (often called Section 8) and make a direct ask: let’s reduce fear, fill vacant units, and create a smoother experience for tenants and property owners.
Why it matters: When New Orleans has both housing need and pockets of vacancy, matching the two is a civic win—and a real opportunity for local landlords, agents, and property managers to stabilize cash flow and serve more of the city.
What’s happening
HANO is funded primarily through HUD and administers voucher programs locally, paying landlords monthly for the voucher portion of rent.
Voucher demand remains intense. Willman noted about 8,000 people on the waitlist, calling it “almost like winning the lottery.”
HANO is trying to reduce “government headache” with housing navigators, landlord liaisons, and regular meet-and-greets that put tenants and landlords in the same room.
How the money actually works
Zoom out: HUD sets Fair Market Rents (FMRs), which are used to determine Housing Choice Voucher payment standards.
Zoom in: In many places, those payment standards can be adjusted by ZIP code through Small Area Fair Market Rents (SAFMRs)—the mechanism that helps vouchers “reach” higher-rent neighborhoods.
On the ground: HANO’s portion + tenant’s portion = total rent, but the details are highly rule-driven, and “side payments” are a major compliance red flag. In the Q&A, Willman emphasized that landlords should price and approve based on what the tenant actually qualifies for—and that paying “the difference” outside the structure is generally not allowed.
The landlord reality check (and the hopeful part)
Some landlords in the room shared real pain—especially during the COVID-era moratoriums: delayed responses, safety issues, property damage, and the feeling of being “on your own” when things went sideways.
Willman’s candid takeaway: HANO doesn’t evict tenants, but it can terminate vouchers for violations. Eviction remains a landlord legal process, so the best defense is:
A strong lease with clear violations
Clear documentation
Fast escalation to the right HANO contact (including discussion of an ombudsman-style point person)
Using HANO-related law enforcement support when appropriate (as one landlord shared)
For real estate agents: where you can lead
If you’re an agent in New Orleans, this is one of those topics where being “the calm, informed guide” wins business—without changing your brand or your lane.
1) Pre-frame the timeline (so nobody panics).
Willman estimated 30–45 days for approval/inspection in many cases. Set expectations early—especially with landlords counting days of vacancy.
2) Turn fear into a simple checklist.
Many “HANO inspection” issues are just baseline safety standards (smoke detectors, life-safety items, etc.). If a property won’t pass FHA-style common-sense safety, it likely won’t pass a voucher inspection either.
3) Know the pitch for skeptical landlords.
Willman’s best points, in plain English:
HANO has worked to be more landlord-friendly.
The voucher portion is consistent and timely—even in disruptions that hit private-pay collections.
HANO keeps payments flowing during certain review processes so landlords aren’t instantly cut off mid-investigation.
4) Help solve the “where do I find units/tenants?” gap.
Agents raised a major bottleneck: if a rental isn’t in the MLS, it’s hard to help voucher holders find it. Willman discussed exploring ways to make the landlord portal more accessible to licensed agents (with appropriate criteria). If that happens, it’s a big unlock for speed and transparency.
5) Don’t miss the wealth-building angle.
One of the most underrated moments: vouchers can support a path to homeownership. Willman shared that some voucher holders have purchased homes, and that the program can help offset rising taxes and insurance—reducing the “I’m one escrow shortage away from disaster” risk that scares many first-time buyers.
Bottom line
New Orleans doesn’t need more heat in the landlord–tenant conversation. We need more clarity, faster matching, and better systems—so families can get housed, landlords can feel protected, and neighborhoods can stay stable.
At KW New Orleans, this is exactly why we bring city leaders into the room: not to posture, but to solve real problems with real people—together.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Rules for Housing Choice Vouchers, fair housing compliance, leasing, and evictions can be complex and fact-specific. Always consult a qualified real estate broker, property manager, or attorney for guidance on your specific situation.
This article was originally published on our website, which can be accessed here.