I was a helper for family not a renter.

I was a helper for family not a renter.
If you are looking to rent/lease and you are on housing sect 8 there are a few things to know that will help make your experience smoother:
They initially said they had worked w/housing before, but later found out that it wasn't section 8, because it took them a few weeks to review housing section 8's mountain of paperwork.

When calling or emailing you will want to be addressing George Fernandez and/or MariBeth/Beth (client care). It's difficult to get a hold of Jesse Boone (at least it was for us). Once you talk to Beth you will want to get her direct number and also her mobile number to be able to text with her. Beth is not hard to work/talk with if you are willing to just listen/let her talk to explain, then if you are still unsure about something review what you think you understand and she will correct you if needed. She has an accent so you need to listen to her carefully and in a quiet area. Be nice to her and she is nice to you. You will likely be talking to her the most when signing a lease agreement and there are many steps in this process especially if on housing section 8.

Take really good notes on a pad with plenty of paper. Write date & time spoken (or message left), with whom you spoke, your question with answer, etc...the usual stuff but don't skip this part of the process or it may get too confusing and you may miss/forget things.

Once you sign a lease agreement you are locked in for the term of lease. You can't back out (unless they make rare exceptions....not sure, but doubt it) so make sure it's the place you want before signing. You will want to actually read the whole lease agreement so you are aware of ALL their expectations and the process by which they want things handled.

It takes time to read the lease so try to get a copy of it sent to you via email. The sooner the better. If you aren't sure of your move in date try to figure it out based on where you are in the process with Housing section 8 so you can give a projected move in date, but tell Beth it could change. She can change the official lease agreement move in date but only once or maybe twice and it takes effort for her to get it accomplished.

The Portal that is used for signing lease electronically, and adding renters insurance (mandatory for ours), pet licence, etc, etc, it will show a Ledger overview when you are in the Portal in Payments section (Payments represent what you have already paid-NOT what is due). So, to see an itemized list of what you have paid (or credited back, which has a minus symbol in front) just click on Ledger and it will show you more details with reference numbers for each payment.

Make sure that you have ALL the money ready to be paid for the Security Deposit before signing the lease, plus also the money for the Initiation Fee, AND that Housing Sect 8 has reviewed the lease with ample time to be able to make their portion of payment so you can move in because Red Zone wants a zero balance before you move in...so be prepared with extra money, on your end, to cover Housing Sect 8's portion if need be. When Housing finally makes payment then you should be credited in Portal for your portion of rent for the coming month(s).
The whole process, for us anyway, began on 04/13/19 (walk thru at the house to be rented) and was finally completed on 06/07/19.

Once you get keys take a detailed description of anything that is needing fixed with pictures, and log it in the Portal under the Maintenance section. They don't want you changing things in property without their explicit written consent. But asking for a laundry list of things to be done should be within reason. Explain why you need something fixed if it seems petty on paper so they understand. How long it takes for them to make simple or complicated repairs...unknown as of yet. However, the lease agreement does state that they will do them in a timely manor.

There was many confusing conversations, and delays on ALL ends.
Hopefully this review can help make a smoother process for any prospective renters.