FAQ's

HOW DOES THE APPLICATION PROCESS WORK?
The application must be written. The Housing Authority collects 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. Family characteristics (e.g., veteran) or circumstances (e.g., living in substandard housing) that might qualify the family for tenant selection preferences;
  4. Names and addresses of your current and previous landlords for information about your family's suitability as a tenant;
  5. An estimate of your family's anticipated income for the next twelve months and the sources of that income;
  6. 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
  7. The PHA also may visit you in your home to interview you and your family members to see how you manage the upkeep of you current home.

 After obtaining this information, a Housing Authority representative should describe the public housing program and its requirements, and answer any questions you might have.

WILL I NEED TO PRODUCE ANY DOCUMENTATION?
Yes, we will request whatever documentation is needed (e.g., birth certificates, tax returns) to verify the information given on your application. We will also rely on direct verification from your employer, etc. You will be asked to sign a form to authorize release of pertinent information to the PHA.

WHEN WILL I BE NOTIFIED?
Once the application has been processed, we will send the client written notification of receipt of the application. Once we determine that you are eligible, your name will be put on a waiting list. Once your name is reached on the waiting list, we will contact you.

 If it is determined that you are ineligible, we will advise the client why and, if you wish, you can request an informal hearing.

WILL I HAVE TO SIGN A LEASE?
If you are offered a unit and accept it, a security deposit will be requested and you will have to sign a lease.

ARE THERE ANY SELECTION PREFERENCES? 
Yes.  The preferences are located in Chesapeake Redevelopment & Housing Authority Admissions & Continued Occupancy Policy (ACOP)

HOW IS RENT DETERMINED?
Your rent, which is referred to as the Total Tenant Payment (TTP) in this program, would be based on your family's anticipated gross annual income less deductions, if any. HUD regulations allow exclusions 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, we 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.

The formula used in determining the TTP is the highest of the following, rounded to the nearest dollar:
  1. 30% of the monthly adjusted income. (Monthly Adjusted Income is annual income less deductions allowed by the regulations;
  2. 10% of monthly income;
  3. Welfare rent, if applicable; or
  4. A $50 minimum rent.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY?
A Housing Authority is responsible for the management and operation of its local public housing program. They may also operate other types of housing programs.

On-going functions:


  1. Assure compliance with leases. The lease must be signed by both parties;
  2. Set other charges (e.g., security deposit, excess utility consumption, and damages to unit;
  3. Perform periodic reexaminations of the family's income at least once every 12 months;
  4. Transfer families from one unit to another, in order to correct over/under crowding, repair or renovate a dwelling, or because of a    resident's request to be transferred;
  5. Terminate leases when necessary; and
  6. Maintain the development in a decent, safe, and sanitary condition.

Sometimes Housing Authorities provide other services, that might include such things as: homeownership opportunities for qualified families; employment training opportunities, and other special training and employment programs for residents; and support programs for the elderly.

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 Housing Authority may determine whether your family should stay in public housing.