|
 |
The public housing program is
designed to provide safe rental housing for eligible low-income
families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. UHA’s
Public Housing program is administered through the Los Olivos
complex, which consists of 97 units ranging from one to five
bedrooms. The complex is located in North East Upland adjacent
to UHA’s administrative office.
Eligibility
Public housing is limited to low-income families and
individuals. Eligibility is determined based on annual gross
income, elderly, disabled or family status, and is limited to
U.S. Citizens and non-citizens who hold eligible immigration
status. The family or individual’s income cannot exceed 50% of
the median income for the area (see
Income Limits).
Median income levels are published by HUD and vary by location,
so you may qualify in one area but not in another.
Waiting List
Because the demand for housing assistance exceeds the limited
resources available to HUD and to the Upland Housing Authority,
UHA maintains a waiting list for the Public Housing program.
Long waiting periods are common. In fact, UHA may close its
waiting list when there are more families on the list than can
be assisted in the near future.
Application Process
During the application process UHA will need to collect the
following information:
-
The name, gender and date of birth for all persons who will be
living in the unit;
-
The family’s present address and telephone number;
-
Family characteristics (e.g. veteran, disabled) or circumstances
(e.g. living in substandard housing) that might qualify the
family for preference in tenant selection.
-
Names and addresses of current and previous landlords for
information about the family’s suitability as a tenant;
-
An estimate of the family’s anticipated income for the next
twelve months and the sources of that income;
-
Names and addresses of employers and banks and any other
information needed to verify income and family composition. You
will be asked to sign a form to authorize release of pertinent
information to UHA;
-
In addition, UHA will require some documentation (e.g. birth
certificates, tax returns, social security cards) to verify the
information on the application.
-
UHA may also visit the family in their home to interview the
family members and to see how they manage the upkeep of their
current home.
The household's income is
verified using a number of reliable methods, including HUD's
newly developed Enterprise Income Verification system. Please
see our page on
Income Verification Info
for important new information regarding this system.
This information is used to determine program eligibility and
the rent amount. If it is determined that the family is
ineligible, UHA must specify why and the family may request an
informal hearing if they wish. If it is determined that the
family is eligible they will be placed onto the waiting list.
The unit size the family qualifies for will be based upon family
size and composition. When an appropriate unit becomes available
UHA will contact the family in writing.
For information
on how to complete an application, or to download the
application, please see the
Application Information page.
Leasing
If a unit is offered to a family and the family accepts it they
will be required to sign a lease with UHA. The family may be
required to give UHA a security deposit. The lease will describe
the family’s responsibilities as a tenant and UHA’s
responsibilities as landlord.
Selection Preferences
Some characteristics may qualify a family for selection
preference. Giving preference to certain groups of families
allows UHA to direct its limited resources to the families with
the greatest housing needs.
Rent Determination
A family’s rent is based upon their total anticipated gross
annual income less deductions, if any. HUD allows UHA to
subtract certain amounts from a family’s annual income. Based on
the application, UHA will determine if any of the allowable
deductions apply to the family. The rent amount is the highest
of the following, rounded to the nearest dollar:
-
30% of the monthly adjusted income;
-
10% of monthly income;
-
Welfare rent, if applicable;
-
A $25 minimum rent or higher
amount (up to $50) set by UHA
Length of Stay
In general, a family may stay in public housing for as long as
they comply with the lease. However, UHA is required by HUD to
re-evaluate each family’s income and status annually. If at
re-examination the family’s income is sufficient to obtain
housing on the private market, UHA may determine whether the
family should stay in public housing. The family will not be
required to move unless there is housing available for them on
the private market. |
