WHAT IS 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 1.2 million households living in public housing units, managed by some 3,300 HAs. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administers Federal aid to local housing agencies (HAs) 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.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
The Cliffside Park’s Public Housing is limited to low-income senior citizens or persons with disabilities. The Cliffside Park Housing Authority (CPHA) determines your eligibility based on: 1) annual gross income; 2) whether you qualify as elderly, or a person with a disability. and 3) U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status.
HAs use income limits developed by HUD. HUD sets the lower income limits at 80% and very low income limits at 50% of the median income for the county or metropolitan area in which you choose to live. Income limits vary from area to area so you may be eligible at one HA but not at another. The CPHA can provide you with the income limits for our area.
HOW DO I APPLY?
If you are interested in applying for public housing, contact the CPHA.
HOW DOES THE APPLICATION PROCESS WORK?
The application must be picked up at the Housing Authority office. . The CPHA usually needs to collect the following information to determine eligibility:
(1) Names of all persons who would be living in the unit, their sex, date of birth, and relationship to the family head;
(2) Your present address and telephone number;
(3) Names and addresses of your current and previous landlords for information about your family’s suitability as a tenant;
(4) An estimate of your family’s anticipated income for the next twelve months and the sources of that income;
(5) The names and addresses of employers, banks, and any other information the HA would need to verify your income and deductions, and to verify the family composition; and
WILL I NEED TO PRODUCE ANY DOCUMENTATION?
Yes, the CPHA will request whatever documentation is needed (e.g., birth certificates, tax returns) to verify the information given on your application. You will be asked to sign a form to authorize release of pertinent information to the PHA.
WHEN WILL I BE NOTIFIED?
If the CPHA determines that you are eligible, your name will be put on a waiting list. Once your name is reached on the waiting list, the CPHA will contact you. If it is determined that you are ineligible, the HA must say why and, if you wish, you can request an informal hearing.
The Waiting List is Currently Closed. Check back soon for updates.
WILL I HAVE TO SIGN A LEASE?
If you are offered a house or apartment and accept it, you will have to sign a lease with the CPHA. You may have to give the CPHA a security deposit. You and the CPHA representative should go over the lease together. This will give you a better understanding of your responsibilities as a tenant and the HA’s responsibilities as a landlord.
HOW IS RENT DETERMINED?
Your rent would be based on your family’s anticipated gross annual income less deductions, if any. HUD regulations allow HAs to exclude from annual income the following allowances: $480 for each dependent; $400 for any elderly family, or a person with a disability; and some medical deductions for families headed by an elderly person or a person with disabilities. Based on your application, the HA representative will determine if any of the allowable deductions should be subtracted from your annual income. Annual income is the anticipated total income from all sources received from the family head and spouse, and each additional member of the family 18 years of age or older.
The formula used in determining the TTP is the highest of the following, rounded to the nearest dollar:
(1) 30 percent of the monthly adjusted income. (Monthly Adjusted Income is annual income less deductions allowed by the regulations);
(2) 10 percent of monthly income;
(3) welfare rent, if applicable; or
(4) a $50 minimum rent
HOW LONG CAN I STAY IN PUBLIC HOUSING?
In general, you may stay in public housing as long as you comply with the lease.
If, at reexamination your family’s income is sufficient to obtain housing on the private market, the HA may determine whether your family should stay in public housing.