Q:
Will I have to sign a lease?
A:
If you are offered a house or apartment and accept it, you will have to sign a lease with the WHA. You may have to give the WHA a security deposit. You and the WHA representative will go over the lease together. This will give you a better understanding of your responsibilities as a tenant and the WHA's responsibilities as a landlord.
Q:
How long can I stay in public housing?
A:
In general, you may stay in public housing as long as you comply with the lease and are within income guidelines.
Tenancy may be terminated for serious and/or repeated violation of material terms of the lease agreement.
The most common causes of lease termination are as follows:
- Failure to pay rent
- Failure to pay charges other than rent (maintenance repair costs, late fees, repayment agreements, or other charges as applicable)
- Drug-related criminal activity on or off WHA premises
- Disruptive, violent, or criminal behavior that threatens the health, safety or right to peaceful enjoyment of the premises
- Unit damage/destruction
- Failure to maintain the unit in a decent, safe and sanitary condition
- Assignment of lease, subletting of premises, or providing accommodations for persons not on the lease
- Failure to appear for scheduled appointments or failure to provide information to management for continued occupancy recertifications (“family obligations”)
- Failure to properly prepare unit for extermination as required by instructions issued.
Note: The above listing is not all inclusive of evictable violations. Violation of any material term of the lease agreement may be grounds for lease termination/eviction.
Q:
How is rent determined?
A:
Rent is determined based on household income. Typically, renters pay about 30% of adjusted income, or 10% of gross household income. Rent is calculated in accordance with HUD regulations.
Q:
What is an Annual Recertification?
A:
One year from your initial lease you will be required by HUD regulations to attend an annual certification appointment.
- ALL family members 18 years of age or older must be in attendance.
- HUD requires mandatory documents to be supplied & completed by each tenant (Current proof of income for all sources for all family members & any changes to family composition).
- Appointment letter will outline what is required to submit and complete, prepare before appointment.
- Failure to be prepared or failure to attend this appointment will result in either raising your rent to Flat Rent amount or Eviction.
Q:
How do I Request Maintenance Work?
A:
Complete the Maintenance Request Form here or contact your property management office.
Q:
How do I Report Changes in Income or Family Composition?
A:
Follow the instructions on the Change in Income Page or Change in Family Composition Page, or contact your property management office.