Application Guide

HOW DOES THE APPLICATION PROCESS WORK? The application must be written. A Public Housing Authority (PHA) usually needs to collect the following information to determine eligibility:

1. Names of all persons who would be living in the unit, their sex, date of birth, and relationship to the family head, social security numbers;
2. Your present address and telephone number;
3. Family characteristics (e.g., veteran) or circumstances (e.g., living in substandard housing) that might qualify the family for tenant selection preferences;
4. Names and addresses of your current and previous landlords for information about your family's suitability as a tenant;
5. An estimate of your family's anticipated income for the next twelve months and the sources of that income;
6. The names and addresses of employers, banks, and any other information the PHA would need to verify your income and deductions, and to verify the family composition; and
7. The PHA also may visit you in your home to interview you and your family members to see how you manage the upkeep of your current home.

WILL I NEED TO PRODUCE ANY DOCUMENTATION? Yes, the PHA representative will request whatever documentation is needed (e.g., birth certificates, social security numbers, 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? A PHA has to provide written notification. If the PHA determines that you are eligible, your name will be put on a waiting list, unless the PHA is able to assist you immediately. Once your name is reached on the waiting list, the PHA will contact you. If it is determined that you are ineligible, the PHA 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 PHA. You may have to give the PHA a security deposit. You and the PHA representative should go over the lease together. This will give you a better understanding of your responsibilities as a tenant and the PHA's responsibilities as a landlord.

ARE THERE ANY SELECTION PREFERENCES? Yes. Please see our guide on Preference Points for more information.

HOW IS RENT DETERMINED? Your rent, which is referred to as the Total Tenant Payment (TTP) in this program, would be based on your family's anticipated gross annual income less deductions, if any. HUD regulations allow HAs to exclude from annual income the following allowances: $480 for each dependent; $400 for any elderly family, or a person with a disability; and some medical deductions for families headed by an elderly person or a person with disabilities. Based on your application, the PHA representative will determine if any of the allowable deductions should be subtracted from your annual income. Annual income is the anticipated total income from all sources received from the family head and spouse, and each additional member of the family 18 years of age or older. Besides money, regular gifts of goods, services, etc... must be included in income calculations. The formula used in determining the TTP is the highest of the following, rounded to the nearest dollar:

1. 30 percent of the monthly adjusted income. (Monthly Adjusted Income is annual income less deductions allowed by the regulations);
2. 10 percent of monthly income;
3. a $50 minimum rent.