HOW
TO APPLY?
HOW
DOES THE APPLICATION PROCESS WORK?
The application must be written. Either
you or the HA representative will fill it out. An HA usually needs to collect
the following information to determine eligibility:
- Names
of all persons who would be living in the unit,
their sex, date of birth, and relationship to
the family head;
- Your
present address and telephone number;
- Family
characteristics (e.g., veteran) or circumstances
(e.g., living in substandard housing) that might
qualify the family for tenant selection preferences;
- Names
and addresses of your current and previous landlords
for information about your family's suitability
as a tenant;
- An
estimate of your family's anticipated income
for the next twelve months and the sources of
that income;
- The
names and addresses of employers, banks, and
any other information the HA would need to verify
your income and deductions, and to verify the
family composition; and
-
The
PHA also may visit you in your home to interview
you and your family members to see how you
manage the upkeep of you current home. After
obtaining this information, the HA representative
should describe the public housing program
and its requirements, and answer any questions
you might have.
WILL
I NEED
TO PRODUCE ANY DOCUMENTATION?
Yes, the HA representative will request whatever documentation is needed (e.g.,
birth certificates, tax returns) to verify the information given on your application.
The PHA will also rely on direct verification from your employer, etc. You
will be asked to sign a form to authorize release of pertinent information
to the PHA.
WHEN
WILL I BE NOTIFIED?
An HA has to provide written notification. If the HA determines that you are
eligible, your name will be put on a waiting list, unless the HA is able to
assist you immediately. Once your name is reached on the waiting list, the
HA will contact you. If it is determined that you are ineligible, the HA must
say why and, if you wish, you can request an informal hearing.
WILL
I HAVE TO SIGN A LEASE?
If you are offered a house or apartment and accept it, you will have to sign
a lease with the HA. You may have to give the HA a security deposit. You and
the HA 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.
ARE
THERE ANY SELECTION PREFERENCES?
Sometimes there are. Giving preference to specific groups of families enables
an HA to direct their limited housing resources to the families with the greatest
housing needs. Since the demand for housing assistance often exceeds the limited
resources available to HUD and the local HAs, long waiting periods are common.
In fact, an HA may close its waiting list when there are more families on the
list than can be assisted in the near future.
Each
HA has the discretion to establish preferences
to reflect needs in its own community. These preferences
will be included in the HAs written policy manual.
You should ask what preferences they honor so you
will know whether you qualify for a preference.
