TABLE OF CONTENTS

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INTRODUCTION

How Can This Booklet Help Me?

What is the Public Housing Program?

How do you know if you live in Public Housing?

What about “mixed income” developments?

What is Rural Development Housing?

What is Section 42 Housing?

AM I ELIGIBLE FOR PUBLIC HOUSING?

Basic eligibility factors

Who is not eligible for public housing?

APPLYING FOR PUBLIC HOUSING

What if I need help with the application process?

What protections from discrimination do I have in the application process?

What about the size of my family?

What questions must the PHA ask me when I apply?

What questions could the PHA ask me when I apply?

What is the PHA not allowed to ask me?

What happens after my application is complete?

What happens next if the PHA decides I am eligible?

WHAT IF MY PUBLIC HOUSING APPLICATION IS DENIED?

Do I have a right to a hearing about the denial of my application?

What are my rights in an application denial hearing?

What if I am denied for a reason related to my disability?

What if I am denied for a reason related to being the victim of domestic violence?

What must the Public Housing Authority include in its hearing decision?

Can I ask a court to review the PHA’s hearing decision?

DO I HAVE TO PAY A SECURITY DEPOSIT IN PUBLIC HOUSING?

HOW DOES THE PHA DECIDE WHAT MY RENT WILL BE?

The Rent Calculation

What happens if my income changes?

Important Rule If You Lose Some Welfare Benefits

Income Disregards

Optional Disregards

Other Ways Your Rent May Be Calculated

What is the utility allowance in my rent calculation?

Rent Calculation Worksheet

WHAT IS THE COMMUNITY SERVICE REQUIREMENT?

What does “community service” mean?

What does “economic self-sufficiency program” mean?

Who in my household must do these things?

Who in my household is exempt from doing these things?

What does the PHA have to do as its part of this requirement?

What if adults in my household don’t do the required activities?

EXTRA CHARGES

Do I have to pay for anything besides my rent?

Revenue Recapture Rights

CAN I HAVE A PET?

YOUR RIGHT TO A SAFE AND SECURE HOME

What are my rights?

What else can I do?

YOUR RIGHT TO MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS

What does the PHA have to do?

Can the PHA charge me for these repairs?

What can I do if my unit needs repairs?

Rent Abatement Or Reduction

Can I take legal action?

THE PUBLIC HOUSING GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

How does the grievance procedure apply to me?

When will the grievance procedure not be used?

What happens in the informal hearing/conference?

What happens in the formal hearing?

What if I lose at the formal hearing?

EVICTIONS FROM PUBLIC HOUSING

Summary of the Eviction Process in Public Housing

Is a public housing eviction different from any other eviction?

What happens in an eviction action?

What can it mean for me if I am evicted from public housing?

What about expungement?

RIGHTS OF RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITY ADVOCATES TO BE INVOLVED

Establishing Resident Advisory Boards

Understanding How to Work with the Housing Authority

Advocating for Resources for Resident Advisory Boards

Sources of Funding for Resident Participation

Electing Residents to Housing Authority Boards

LEGAL SERVICES OFFICES

ANSWER FORM

PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITIES