WHAT IS PUBLIC HOUSING?
Public housing was established to provide decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Public housing comes in all sizes and types, from scattered single-family houses to Highrise apartments for elderly families. There are approximately 1.2 million households living in public housing units, managed by some 3,300 HAs. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administers Federal aid to local housing agencies (HAs) that manage the housing for low-income residents at rents they can afford. HUD furnishes technical and professional assistance in planning, developing and managing these developments.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Public housing is limited to low-income families and individuals. An HA determines your eligibility based on:
- Annual Family Gross income
- Family background information: JHA will request landlord, personal, and credit references.
- Criminal Background Check: Anyone age 18 and above who has a criminal background may be denied or evicted from public housing.
- Income Limits are set by HUD each year. Applicants rent must be at or below the Low Income Level based on family Size.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extremely Low | 1- 12,760 | 2- 17,240 | 3- 21,720 | 4- 26,200 | 5- 29,600 | 6- 31,800 | 7- 34,000 | 8- 36,200 |
| Very Low Income | 1- 19,200 | 2- 21,950 | 3- 24,700 | 4- 27,400 | 5- 29,600 | 6- 31,800 | 7- 34,000 | 8- 36,200 |
| Low Income | 1- 30,700 | 2- 35,100 | 3- 39,500 | 4- 43,850 | 5- 47,400 | 6- 50,900 | 7- 54,400 | 8- 57,900 |
HOW DOES THE APPLICATION PROCESS WORK?
Once you have completed the application it will take approximately 2 weeks for all of your information to be checked and verified. If you are approved for housing you will be placed on a waiting list. All of our units are occupied most of the time. Once we have one available, we go down the list. When your name comes up we will call you and set up an appointment for you to look at apartment etc.
You will need to call or contact us once a month to let us know you are still interested and to keep your application active. You will also need to keep your application up to date with current address and phone number.
WILL I HAVE TO SIGN A LEASE?
If you are offered an apartment and accept it, you will have to sign a lease with the JHA. A security deposit of $150.00 is also required. You and a JHA representative should go over the lease together. This will give you a better understanding of your responsibilities as a tenant and the HA’s responsibilities as a landlord.
HOW IS RENT DETERMINED?
Rent is based on family/household anticipated gross annual income less deduction, if any. HUD allows JHA to exclude from annual income the following allowances:
$480 for each dependent (under 18 years of age, or 18 or over and a full-time
student or a person with a disability)
$400 per family where the head of household or spouse (or co-head) is at least 62 years of age or a person with disabilities.
Some medical deductions for families headed by an elderly or disabled person
Childcare deduction for out-of-pocket expenses for child(ren) under age of 13
Disability assistance expense deduction (if necessary, to enable a family member to be employed and provided that the expenses are neither paid to a member of the family nor reimbursed by an outside source)
Tenant rent is the greater of:
- 30% of adjusted gross monthly income
- 10% of gross monthly income
- The minimum rent of $50
- The prevailing flat rent based on unit size and location
- The prevailing ceiling rent based on unit size and location.
- The maximum rent for a mixed family
Household income is reviewed at least annually, and rents may be adjusted accordingly.
ARE PETS ALLOWED?
Certain types of pets are permitted, but only one pet is allowed per household. Proof of vaccinations, spay/neuter documentation and payment of $150.00 pet deposit will be required before the pet can be brought on to housing authority property.