Welcome to the 2018 HUD Affordable Housing Guide
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Welcome to the 2018 HUD Affordable Housing Guide For federally subsidized housing, the amount and type of assistance may vary but the majority of properties have Project-Based Section 8 subsidy, where the tenant pays 30% of their adjusted gross monthly income for rent. The difference between the amounts paid by the resident and the rent charged by the owner is paid by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Although HUD provides the funding, the responsibility for operating the program rests with the site manager. After selecting a building(s) from the list, please contact the on-site manager from the phone number(s) provided. They can answer questions regarding your eligibility and the availability of units, as each site maintains its own waiting list and takes your application. The list shows the number of units in the building as well as the population they are designated to serve. Rent: Generally, a HUD affordable housing tenant pays 10 percent of gross income or 30 percent of adjusted income, WHICHEVER IS HIGHER, but not less than $25, for rent including utilities. HUD pays the difference between the tenant's share and the regular rental to the owner as housing assistance. If utilities are designated to be paid by the resident, a utility allowance is subtracted in determining the actual rent paid to the project. Utilities are then paid by the tenant directly to the utility company as billed. Waiting Lists: A Public Housing Authority (PHA) is responsible for establishing an application and selection process that treats applicants fairly and consistently and provides an effective method for determining eligibility. The design of these processes must result in consistent determinations as to which applicants should be placed on the waiting list, issued a voucher, or determined ineligible to participate in the program and comply with HUD rules on non-discrimination. Conducting outreach, as needed, and maintaining an up-to-date waiting list is an important PHA responsibility. Subscribe to the HousingLink public housing waiting list email newsletter to be notified when local PHAs open or close their waiting lists: http://www.housinglink.org/register For current vacancies in affordable and subsidized housing, you may contact any of the following: • PHA in your area of interest • (If a phone number is invalid, please notify us at 612-370-3072) • HousingLink at 612-522-2500 or at their website address: www.housinglink.org • Metro Information Line at 651-602-1880 • If you need immediate housing, please call United Way—First Call for Help at 2-1-1 For immediate emergency housing (shelter & transitional) in the metro area, contact Hennepin County Front Door at (612) 348-4111 or Ramsey County at (651) 215-2262 Updated December 11, 2017 Overview of rental housing subsidy programs (The Big 3) An overview of three common rental housing subsidy programs where the renter pays only a percentage of their income. Properties participating in these programs appear in this directory. Project-Based Section 8 Public Housing Section 8 Housing* Housing Choice Vouchers What it is • Publicly owned and managed • Privately owned and • Government-funded program rental units for low-income managed rental units for that helps low-income households low-income households households pay the rent on private, market-rate rental units. • Some units are reserved only • Some units are reserved for seniors or people with only for seniors, people • A renter finds a unit (within disabilities. with disabilities, or other certain requirements); a populations. housing authority pays a • This is a project-based portion of the rent directly to subsidy. (The subsidy stays • This is a project-based the property. with the unit) subsidy. (The subsidy stays with the unit) • This is a tenant-based subsidy (The subsidy goes with the tenant). What it costs • Most units cost 30% of the • Most units cost 30% of the • 30% to 40% of a household’s households adjusted gross households adjusted gross adjusted gross income. income. income. • Some units have a low, fixed • Some units have a low, fixed rent amount. rent amount. What it offers • Very affordable rents; • Very affordable rents; • Very affordable rents; the rent you pay is based on the rent you pay is based on the rent you pay is based on your income your income your income • Variety of housing styles • Variety of housing styles • A renter gets to choose the (single-family, apartment, (single-family, apartment, apartment he/she wants to townhome) and amenities. townhome) and amenities. rent (including possibly staying in the same unit where the • A single access point for • Many different landlords renter already lives). applying, often for a large and property managers number of units. participate. • Sometimes you can keep your subsidy if you decide to move. What to be prepared for • You will need to apply at a • You will need to apply at • You will need to apply at a public housing authority to the individual property. Each housing authority to get a get on the waiting list. owner keeps a separate voucher. waiting list. • Waiting lists for public • Waiting lists for vouchers can housing can be closed or • Waiting lists at properties be closed or long. long can be closed or long • You still have to apply at the • Sometimes there are specific • You may have to call or property lists for specific bedroom travel around a lot to find sizes or housing types. out whose waiting list is • A credit and history check at open and how to apply. the property will probably be • A credit and history check required. will probably be required. • A credit and history check at the property will probably be • Some properties may choose • Some units are older and required. not to accept vouchers. come with few amenities Other project-based programs • The unit must pass an • If you don’t like the unit(s) operate in a similar manner, inspection before the subsidy offered, you may have including: Section 202, Section payments can start. limited choices. 236, Section 515 for rural • The housing authority will help areas, and Section 811. identify an eligible rent. www.housinglink.org © 2006 HousingLink 10/06 Housing programs listed by number There are a number of housing programs that a property may participate in and are often referred to by a Section Number. This document gives some additional information about each of these programs. Keep in mind the following: • Each property will have its own application process and waiting list. • Information about properties that participate in these programs and local housing authorities in Minnesota can be found on HousingLink’s website at www.housinglink.org. Who this is for Rent How to apply Special conditions** Section 8 For low-income renters Rent is 30% of the Apply at the Some units may Project Based who want to live in household’s adjusted participating property. only be available privately owned and gross income OR it to people with managed properties may also be a low- disabilities or fixed amount elderly. Section 8 For low-income renters Rent is 30% to 40% The process begins by An inspection of the Housing Choice Voucher who want to live in of the household’s applying at your local unit is necessary private market housing adjusted gross income housing authority. before the subsidy Once you have the can start. Rent limits voucher, apply at a apply. property. Section 42 For income-qualifying Rent is set at a rate Apply at the Rents may vary by renters who want to below the average participating property. unit size. Number live in private market cost of rental housing You must meet all of available units housing in the area (market other application differs by building. rate). requirements. Section 202 For low-income seniors Rent is generally 30% Contact the age 62 and older of adjusted gross participating property. income Section 236 For low-income renters Rent is 30% of your Apply at the Rents are different adjusted gross income participating property. at every building. OR a Fair Market Rent * Section 515 For low-income renters Rent is 30% of your Apply at the Not all rural who live in a rural area adjusted gross income participating property. buildings qualify. OR a Fair Market Rent * Section 811 For low-income renters Rent is generally 30% Apply at the The person with with disabilities who are of adjusted gross- participating property the disability needs over the age of 18 income OR contact the local to be the head of housing authority for house or spouse. extra assistance. * Fair Market Rent is determined by HUD ** More information about qualifications should be obtained at the property www.housinglink.org © 2006 HousingLink 04/06 Housing Choice Vouchers Fact Sheet What are housing choice vouchers? The housing choice voucher program is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses and apartments. The participant is free to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program and is not limited to units located in subsidized housing projects. Housing choice vouchers are administered locally by public housing agencies(PHAs). The PHAs receive federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer the voucher program. A family that is issued a housing voucher is responsible for finding a suitable housing unit of the family's choice where the owner agrees to rent under the program.