| Q.
|
I’ve moved since I applied for
rental assistance. How do I let your office know?
|
| A. |
Report all changes in writing. We
do not accept changes over the phone. |
|
|
| Q. |
How do I apply for Section 8
rental assistance? |
| A. |
Our waiting list remains open.
You may request an application in person, in writing or
over the phone. The housing authority has no
preferences. |
|
|
| Q. |
Do I have to live in Clatsop,
Columbia and Tillamook Counties to apply? |
| A. |
No, but you will be required to
live within one of these counties for the 1st year you
receive rental assistance. |
|
|
| Q. |
I am a single person. Am I
eligible for Section 8? |
| A. |
Yes, you are housed according to
your family size/income when your name reaches the top
of the waiting list. |
|
|
| Q. |
What happens when my name
reaches the top of the waiting list? |
| A. |
You will be
mailed a letter asking if you are still interested in
receiving rental assistance. When you respond you will
be sent a final application packet. Once the packet is
received in our office staff will verify information you
provided to determine your eligibility. This process can
take up to 60 days. If you are eligible you will be
invited to an orientation. At the orientation the rules
and regulations you will be required to follow while
receiving assistance will be explained. You will receive
a Housing Choice Voucher and a Request for Lease
Approval at the conclusion of
the orientation. |
|
|
| Q. |
What happens if I have a police
record? |
| A. |
Having a police record or criminal history
does not automatically make a household ineligible to
receive assistance. The housing authority
reviews all applicants’ criminal histories and
determines eligibility on a case by case basis.
The housing authority follows the Code of Federal
Regulations found at 24 CFR 982.553
Denial of admission and termination of assistance for
criminals and alcohol abusers.
HUD requires the housing authority to deny
assistance in the following cases:
· Any
member of the household that has been evicted from
federally-assisted housing in the last 3 years for
drug-related criminal activity.
· The
housing authority determines that any household member
is currently engaged in the use of illegal
drugs.
· The
housing authority has reasonable cause to believe that
any household member’s current use or pattern of use of
illegal drugs, or current abuse or pattern of abuse of
alcohol, may threaten the health, safety, or right to
peaceful enjoyment of the premises by other
residents.
· Any
household member has ever been convicted of drug-related
criminal activity for the production or manufacture of
methamphetamine on the premises of federally assisted
housing.
· Any
household member is subject to a lifetime registration
requirement under any state sex offender registration
program. |
|
|
| Q. |
What do I do once I get my
voucher and the Request for Lease Approval?
|
| A. |
Your voucher is good for 60 days.
During this time you are to look for a rental unit
(apartment, house, manufactured home, or mobile home).
Once you find a unit talk to the landlord and see if
they are interested in participating in the voucher
program. If they are, the landlord should complete
the Request for Lease Approval form, sign and date and
mail it to the housing authority. The unit will be
inspected to verify it meets HUD minimum housing quality
standards. Once the unit passes inspection, a lease and
contract will be completed by the housing authority.
Subsidy checks will be issued to the landlord once the
signed paperwork has been returned. |
|
|
| Q. |
Now that I am on the program
what do I do? |
| A. |
Remember
changes to income and household composition have to be
reported to the housing authority IN
WRITING within 10 days of the change. Remain a
tenant in good standing with your landlord. If you have
questions, call your case worker.
|
