FAQs
When Is My Rent Due?
Tenant rent is due and payable on the first of each month and is delinquent if not paid by the close of business on the 5th calendar day of the month.
If the 5th day of the month falls on a weekend or holiday the rent will be late as of the close of business on the next full business day.
On the 6th calendar day of the month a late fee of 15% of the Total Tenant Payment will be assessed
Form of Payment –rental and other payments will be accepted only in the form of a money order, certified check, cashiers check or personal check.
For more information: Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy (ACOP)
How do I add someone to my lease?
All persons seeking to add a new member MUST REQUEST approval in WRITING BEFORE the new member moves in.
After request for approval HHA will conduct preadmission screening of any proposed new adult member to determine whether HHA will grant such approval
For more information:Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy (ACOP)
How Do I Remove Someone From My Lease?
Family members over 18 years old who move from the dwelling must be removed
Resident shall report the move-out within 14 calendar days of its occurrence
Individuals are considered adults and they’re required to sign confirmation and authorization to be removed form the Dwelling Lease Agreement and household.
These individuals may not be re-admitted to the unit and must apply as a new applicant household for placement on the waiting list.
Medical hardship or other extenuating circumstances shall be considered by HHA in making a determination.
For more information: Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy (ACOP)
How Do I Apply For A Transfer To Another Community?
For Emergency Transfer:
Emergency- is when an incident occurs which causes the physical condition of a unit to be hazardous to life, health, and/or safety of individuals.
When to transfer the family occupying the residence must be transferred to a comparable unit immediately
Who makes the decision/ request –the manager of the property will determine if the unit is not habitable
the manager sends a Request for Emergency Transfer to the Director of Public Housing Management for approval, including:
a reason for the request
the old unit address and bedroom size
the proposed unit address and bedroom size
if the bedroom sizes are not the same, and explanation why
the director of Public Housing Management reviews the request and upon approval will send the decision to the manager and Tenant Selection Supervisor .
What happens upon approval
The Family is provided with written Notice of Transfer and given 5 days to move
For Medical Transfer:
Who makes request for medical transfers the resident or someone on the residents behalf makes the request to the site community manager.
What is required with request written verification and/or documentation from a physician or other qualified medical professional substantiating the need.
medical transfers may be offered when the on-site community manager and/or the nurse deems the transfer necessary for the well being of the tenant or to alleviate a severe medical conditions.
Priority of Transfer–takes priority over new admissions
Who makes the decision the manager will send the Request to the Director of Public Housing including:
a reason for the request
the old unit address and bedroom size
the proposed unit address and bedroom size
and a reason if these bedroom sizes are not the same
the Director of Public Housing will make the final decision
If transfer is approved the manager will provide the family with a written Notice of Transfer and the resident will have 5 days to move.
Other Emergency Transfers:
to provide safety for residents who are providing information to law enforcement officials and may face reprisals
to provide housing options to residents who are victims of hate crimes, or extreme harassment.
to alleviate verified medical problems of a serious nature
these transfers are voluntary, only by tenant request
Accessible Feature Transfer:
Who makes the request the resident ,a staff member, or someone else on behalf of the resident submits the request to the on-site community manager
What is required the request must be accompanied by a statement from the residents physician.
the statement must certify that the transfer is necessary for the well being of the resident.
Who makes the decision the manager sends the Request to the Director of Public Housing Management for approval including
a reason for the request
the old unit address and bedroom size
the proposed unit address and bedroom size
and a reason if these bedroom sizes are not the same
After approval The manager will provide the family with written Notice of Transfer and the resident will have 5 days to move.
Modernization Transfer
Who makes the request the manager is required to empty units for anticipated modernization and obtain replacement units from the L&O Office.
Who makes the decision the manager sends a request to the Director of Public Housing Management for approval including
the reason for the request
the old unit address and bedroom size
the proposed unit address and bedroom size
and a reason if these bedroom sizes are not the same
After approval the manager will send a 15 day Notice of Transfer to each affected resident that includes:
the reason for the transfer;
describes any expenses or reimbursements the resident may be entitled to;
the address where they are being transferred;
a date and time for assignment to the new unit;
a statement that the transfer is mandatory;
a statement that the transfer is subject to the Grievance Procedure.
Administrative Transfers:
Category 1 Transfers: will not take priority over new admission
these transfers shall generally be made within same-sites, however the Housing Authority reserves the right to authorizes transfers in a manner that has the least impact on vacant units
Transfers to correct occupancy will only be made if the family size is smaller than HHA’s minimum-number of persons per-unit standard for the household or larger than the maximum number of persons per-unit standard for the unit the family is occupying.
How transfer is made upon completion of each annual and interim recertification the family’s need is determined.
if a family is improperly housed, they will be placed on the transfer list by date eligible.
the community manager reviews the transfer list monthly to make recommendations of transfers.
transfers are generally done within the same community
Factors taken into consideration
number of vacancies and their status on the proposed transfer property
number of expected vacancies
the impact of additional vacancies on the maintenance department
Who approves transfers the Director of Public Housing Management makes the approval decision after reviewing the managers request that includes
the reason for the request
the old address and bedroom size
the proposed new address and bedroom size
the family composition which necessitated the need
the number the family is on the transfer wait list, if they are not number 1 an explanation as to why you circumvented the individuals before them on the list.
If approved the manager will provide the family with 15 day written Notice of Transfer
Offer incentive transfers:
Hillside Village and Scattered Site units are occupied through incentive transfers.
No applicants are admitted directly to these units.
The HHA reserves the right to fill modernized units in a manner that has the least impact on vacant units.
How to get a transfer residents request for incentive transfers by making them to the onsite community manager of Hillside Village and Scattered Site
managers may also recommend a resident for an incentive transfer.
What is the order of consideration
resident must meet the following criteria:
at least a 3 year residency in HHA public housing development
no repayment agreement or unpaid account balance at any time, in the past 2 year
no serious lease violations, resulting in the issuance of a Notice of Termination of Tenancy for the past 2 years
Good housekeeping record throughout term of tenancy
Category 2: Administrative Transfers: are mandatory, however will not take priority over new admissions.
are generally made within same-sites , however HHA reserves the right to authorize transfers in a manner that has the least impact on vacant units
Transfers may be made in order to: correct and avoid concentration of the most economically and socially deprived families.
Who makes the decision
The Tenant Selection Supervisor will monitor the requirements of de-concentration of income on a monthly basis.
when there is a need to transfer residents to correct and avoid concentration of the most economically and socially deprived families the Supervisor will advise the Director of Public Housing Management.
The director will coordinate the transfers with the appropriate managers.
What is the Pet policy for my community?
For Family Pets
HHA has developed reasonable requirements permitting residents residing in public housing dwellings to own common household pets.
The Pet Ownership Policy for family units, adopted by the HHA prescribes standards of pet care and handling, which are necessary to protect the condition of the resident’s unit, the general condition of the premises, and to protect the health and safety of residents, employees and the public.
This policy does not apply to service animals that assist persons with disabilities.
these animals provide assistance, service or support to persons with disabilities, and are considered a reasonable accommodation to such individuals.
For Elderly Units
HHA has developed reasonable requirements permitting residents to own common household pets.
The Pet Ownership Policy for elderly units, adopted by the HHA prescribes standards of pet care and handling, which are necessary to protect the condition of the resident’s unit, the general conditions of the premises , and to protect the health and safety of residents, employees, and the public.
This Policy does not apply to service animals
these animals provide assistance, service or support to persons with disabilities, and are considered a reasonable accommodation to such individuals.