hat is subsidized housing? deducted from your income. You may be being evicted for not paying the W charged a minimum rent set by the minimum rent. The government pays for part of a housing program even if you have little or If any of these conditions apply to you, family’s rent when they live in subsidized no income. The minimum rent can be up your rent is reduced to “$0.” However, if housing. The most common types of to $50. the hardship is temporary, you will stop subsidized housing are Section 8 and paying minimum rent only for a while Public Housing. hat deductions can be taken from my and you will have to repay the minimum Wincome to reduce my rent? rent at a later time. hat is the difference between Public WHousing and Section 8? There are three kinds of earnings that can be ill my rent go down if I lose my deducted from your income: Wwelfare benefits? Public Housing is owned and operated by the government. It is usually apartment earnings received as part of a training If you live in public housing, or you live complexes. program, in tenant-based Section 8, your rent will not go down if you lose your welfare earnings received as part of subsidized benefits for failure to do welfare work There are two common kinds of Section 8. employment, and The first is tenant-based Section 8. Tenant- requirements or a self-sufficiency based Section 8 gives you a “voucher” earnings used to pay for childcare. program. However, your rent can go down if you lose your welfare benefits which can be used for any kind of housing because your time limit has passed. (house, apartment or condominium) and There are also deductions for children, with any landlord that is willing to accept elderly or disabled people in the household, If you live in project-based Section 8, it. and for some medical expenses. These your rent will go down if your income things should be deducted from your goes down, no matter what the reason. Project-based Section 8 is a privately family’s gross income before calculating owned apartment complex where some or your rent. What if I don’t agree with the amount all of the units are for Section 8 tenants. If of rent I am being charged? you don’t know which kind of Section 8 you receive, contact the agency that What if I can’t afford minimum rent? You can appeal to the agency if you approved you for Section 8. disagree with your rent. You can also You may not have to pay minimum rent if contact a private attorney or Indiana you have one or more of these hardships: Legal Services for help. How much rent will I have to pay? You just lost your job or your public What are my responsibilities if I live in If you live in public housing or receive benefits (like TANF or SSI), subsidized housing? Section 8, your rent is generally 30% of You applied for public assistance, but your income. Certain expenses are you are not yet receiving it, or Pay your part of the rent on time and report all changes in income, source of You are being evicted or are at risk of income, family size, and resources as soon as possible. You also must follow the other terms of your lease.
hat can I do if the Public Housing TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR WAuthority tries to evict me? LEGAL ASSISTANCE, CALL ILS Subsidized Housing You can ask for an informal hearing. You INTAKE:
should also contact a private attorney or Anderson: Bloomington: Indiana Legal Services for help. Your 1-877-323-6260 1-877-323-6260 housing will continue through the Evansville: Fort Wayne: informal hearing process. 1-877-323-6260 1-877-323-6260 Prepared by:
Gary: Hammond: hat can I do if my Section 8 or (219) 886-3161 (219) 853-2360 Indiana Legal Services, Inc.
Wprivate landlord wants to evict me? Indianapolis: Lafayette: (317) 631-9410 or (765) 423-5327 or You should contact a private attorney or 1-800-869-0212 1-800-382-7581
Indiana Legal Services for help. You New Albany: South Bend: should try to avoid an eviction, because it (812) 945-4123 or (574) 234-8121 or This is for information only. It is NOT legal 1-800-892-2776 1-800-288-8121 can make it hard to get subsidized advice. For legal advice, contact an attorney housing, or to find a private landlord or a Legal Services office. willing to rent to you.
here do I go to apply for subsidized Whousing? The production of this pamphlet is made possible by a grant from the Indiana Bar Contact your local Public Housing If you are not sure which office serves your Foundation. Authority or Community Action Program area, dial 1-877-323-6260 (CAP) Office.
On the web at: http://www.indianajustice.org
Last Revised 05/2002 Special Code: 061
ESPAÑOL 1-877-323-6260