Housing eligibility varies by program. BHA staff evaluates each individual application and make an eligibility decision. BHA receives and processes thousands of applications per year – the need for housing far exceeds the supply. Therefore, we have no immediate or emergency housing – most applicants wait years before their name comes to the top of the waiting list.
Here are some general guidelines that BHA uses to assess your eligibility.
- Income limits: Check the most current income limits
- Background screening: Background check for criminal history, eviction records, ability to pay rent on time and maintain a clean and healthy home. This will be verified by current and previous landlords and references. Claimed priority and/or preference will be verified by a third party.
- Family composition: Households are assigned a specific number of bedrooms based on family size, usually 1-2 people per bedroom.
- Identification: All adult household members must have a valid photo ID.
- Social Security number/citizenship: Each household member is required to have a Social Security number and a birth certificate. BHA also requires each household member to document that he/she is a U.S. citizen, or has eligible non-citizen status.
- Elderly/Disabled housing: To live at The Crossing, Century Heights or Grandpine Courts, the head of household must be 55 years of age or older, or disabled as defined by law.
- Waiting List Preferences: The Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs each have waiting list preferences
Applicants could be denied for a variety of reasons, including:
- Past history of rental evictions, delinquent rents or poor housekeeping.
- Past history of damaging property or causing a disturbance.
- If the applicant has any outstanding past debts with the BHA or any other subsidized housing programs. To be considered, applicants must pay the debt in full before entering the BHA final eligibility determination process.
- Past history of drug related criminal activity, including possession and trafficking.
- If any household member has been convicted of fraud.
- A felony arrest or conviction that indicates the applicant may be a threat or negative influence.
- If any household member is required to register as a lifetime sex offender.
- If any household member has been convicted or found guilty of producing methamphetamine or other drugs.