- I need to change my contact information, how do I do that?
The gross rent is the contract rent charged by the landlord plus the utilities as determined by CHA. The payment standard is the set amount of rent allowed by HUD for units of certain bedroom sizes. The amount of rent permitted to be paid by the client and CHA including the utilities (gross rent) cannot exceed the amount of the payment standard. Thus, the client will be paying 30% of his/her income as the rent share.
- What is the difference between the gross rent, the payment standard and the amount I can spend on rent?
The gross rent is the contract rent charged by the landlord plus the utilities as determined by CHA. The payment standard is the set amount of rent allowed by HUD for units of certain bedroom sizes. The amount of rent permitted to be paid by the client and CHA including the utilities (gross rent) cannot exceed the amount of the payment standard. Thus, the client will be paying 30% of his/her income as the rent share.
- What are your hours of operation?
CHA Office is open 8:00 am until 4:00 pm Monday – Friday, except major holidays.
- Is there a limit to the number of people I may add to my household?
No; however, there is a limit with regard to the number of persons permitted on the voucher; therefore, the client may be forced to pay for the additional bedrooms required.
- What do I do if I have been notified that my unit is in foreclosure?
Usually, your first notification is when you receive the foreclosure papers. The papers will include the name and phone number of an attorney. Call the attorney to find out when the process started and to get an estimate of how long it will be before the foreclosure will be completed, normally six to nine months. You can track the foreclosure process by calling the attorney periodically.
Call your housing specialist immediately to inform her of your situation and the status of the foreclosure. The landlord is entitled to the rent as long as he owns the property. Continue to pay your portion of the rent, CHA will continue to make housing assistance payments, and you may remain in the unit until the foreclosure process is completed. At anytime during the foreclosure process, if the landlord makes whole his arrears, the process stops and your tenancy will continue.
- When I report a change of income, when will my rent be adjusted?
There are a number of factors to be considered before a change of income is made. Income changes could cause your share of the rent to increase, decrease or remain the same. The date, type of change, amount of change, reason for the change and documentation you provide must all be considered before a determination can be made. Generally, your request for a change will be processed within 30 days providing all the supporting documentation is received. Approved requests for an increase in assistance received before the 15th of the month will be effective for the first of the next month. Approved requests for an increase in assistance received after the 15th of the month will be effective for the first of the second full month. Income changes reported within 30 days of occurrence resulting in an increase to the family’s share of the rent will be effective the first of the third month.
An income change reported after 30 days of occurrence resulting in an increase to the family’s share of the rent will be effective the first of the month after reporting. This may also cause a repayment.
- What are the requirements for reporting income?
Participants are required to report any changes of income for any family member within 30 days of occurrence. Failure to report may be considered Program Abuse which could result in repayment or contract termination. Reported changes are reviewed to determine if there will be any change to the family’s share of the rent. Cost of living increases for Social Security benefits (SS, SSI, SSD) do not have to be reported.
- Will my subsidy size – number of bedrooms – be increased when I add someone to my household?
Your subsidy size/number of bedrooms will be reevaluated at your next annual re-exam. Subsidy size is based on family composition.
- How do I add someone to my household?
It is a program regulation and part of your Family Obligations to request CHA written approval to add any other person as an occupant of your unit. You must complete and return a Request for Addition to Household form along with all the required documentation noted on the form BEFORE permitting anyone to move into your unit. If the addition to your household is an unrelated minor, guardianship/custody papers will be required. If the addition to your household is an adult, 18 years of age or older, signed consent forms and criminal record information will be required.
- How do I remove someone from my household?
The head of household must complete the Notification of Family Member Move-Out form and submit it along with proof of the new address for the person who is leaving. Examples of acceptable proof of address can be one of the following:
- Copy of a lease for the new address
- Copy of a utility bill for the new address
- Post Office change of address postcard
- Social Security letter showing a change of address
- Copy of legal divorce or separation papers in the case of a married couple when a spouse leaves the unit
- Copy of legal custody or guardianship papers
- DSS Notice of Decision for a new Public Assistance case other than Food Stamps or Medicaid.