The not-for-profit North East Community Action Corporation (NECAC) announced it closed the application waiting list Jan. 31 for a low-income rent-assistance program.The move covers 12 Missouri counties where the agency contractually administers the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 8 Voucher Rent-Assistance Program.The waiting list has accepted applications since May 12, 2014, in Lewis, Macon, Marion, Monroe, Montgomery, Pike, Ralls, Randolph, Shelby and Warren counties. The list for St. Charles County had only been open since Jan. 1.NECAC Section 8 Rent-Assistance Programs Director Dianna Clair said the lists are being closed because the number of applications has reached maximum service levels for the next two years. The waiting list will re-open when additional vouchers are available.The program provides partial rent payments for low to moderate income residents. NECAC makes rent-subsidy payments directly to private landlords for income-qualifying families and individuals on houses, apartments or mobile homes.Qualifying applicants receive a voucher that pays a portion of participants’ rent depending upon the tenant’s income, number of bedrooms in the unit and the area’s fair-market rent. The rest is paid by the tenant.NECAC inspects all rental units initially and annually to assure they meet HUD Housing Quality Standards and local zoning standards for safe and clean conditions before rent payments are issued.NECAC has been operating the program for more than 35 years. The agency administers more than 650 rent-assistance vouchers in St. Charles County and more than 1,850 in its other 11 counties.NECAC