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 high-rise apartments for elderly families.
There are approximately 1.3 million households living in public
housing units, managed by some 3,300 housing authorities. The U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administers
federal aid to local housing authorities 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.
Public housing is limited to low-income families and individuals. The
local Housing Authority (HA) determines eligibility based on: (1)
annual gross income; (2) whether you qualify as elderly, a person with a
disability, or as a family; and (3) U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration
status. If you are eligible, the HA will check your references to make
sure you and your family will be good tenants. HAs will deny admission
to any applicant whose habits and practices may be expected to have
a detrimental effect on other tenants or on the project’s environment.
Housing Authorities use income limits developed by HUD. HUD sets
the low income limits at 80 percent and very low income limits at 50
percent of the median income for the county or metropolitan area.
Income limits vary by location, so you may be eligible at one HA but
not at another. The HA serving your community can provide you with
the income levels for your area and family size. Contact your local HA
for more information.
SECTION 8 HOUSING HOUSING
CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM
The Section 8 program provides assistance for low-income families in
the private rental market through the Housing Assistance Payments
Program. Rental voucher holders select a unit from the private rental
market. Rental assistance makes market rate housing affordable. Program
participants normally pay no more than 30 percent of their monthly
adjusted income towards rent and utilities. The Housing Assistance
Payment subsidizes the balance of the rent to the property owner. The
housing unit must meet HUD Housing Quality Standards and the
rent must be approvable within HUD Fair Market Rents and market
rate comparable.
Eligibility for a rental voucher is determined by the local Housing
Authority (HA) based on the total annual gross income and family size
and is limited to U.S. citizens and specified categories of non-citizens
who have eligible immigration status. Generally, the family’s income
may not exceed 50 percent of the median income for the county or
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HOUSING
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