Patricia Ward, Director
Community Development and Housing

Wayne Pollard, Director
Tarrant County Housing Assistance Office

The Tarrant County Housing Assistance Office (TCHAO) was established in 1975 to administer the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program (commonly referred to as Section 8). The program is funded by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). TCHAO administers vouchers only, without any public housing units.

The officials of TCHAO are known as the Commissioner's Court of Tarrant County. The Commissioners are elected officials and generally serve in the same capacity as directors of a corporation, establishing policies under which the TCHAO conducts business.

The principal administrator of the TCHAO is the Director of Community Development of Tarrant County who provides oversight, guidance and direction. A Director of TCHAO is hired by the county to conduct the day-to-day business of the agency and is responsible for managing all operations of the agency to ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, county, local, and non-discrimination laws; the Americans with Disabilities Act; and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations governing Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity.

The mission of TCHAO is to provide safe, decent and affordable housing for very low and low income families, and to manage resources effectively. The TCHAO promotes personal, economic and social upward mobility and provides families the opportunity to make the transition from subsidized to non-subsidized housing. As a public service agency, TCHAO is committed to developing meaningful and lasting partnerships and providing excellent service to program applicant and participant families, property owners, and the entire community.